Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake (Creamy + Comforting!)
If you love classic Swedish meatballs, this Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake takes all those comforting flavors—creamy sauce, savory meatballs, tender noodles—and turns them into a hearty, oven-baked dinner that feeds the whole family. It’s cozy, rich, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork (optional but recommended for tenderness)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
For the Noodles + Sauce
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make It
1. Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, garlic, nutmeg, allspice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently—don’t overmix or they become tough.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. (They don’t have to cook through; they’ll finish in the oven.)
- Set aside.
2. Cook the Noodles
- Boil egg noodles according to the package directions.
- Drain and set aside. (Don’t overcook—they’ll bake later.)
3. Make the Creamy Swedish Sauce
- In the same skillet you used for the meatballs, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
- Sprinkle flour over the melted butter and whisk for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly add beef broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until thick and silky.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream.
4. Assemble the Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large casserole dish, combine cooked noodles and meatballs.
- Pour the creamy Swedish sauce over everything.
- Mix gently so the noodles are coated.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden and everything is bubbling.
Serve It With
- A simple green salad
- Garlic bread
- Steamed veggies
- Pickled cucumbers (Swedish style!)
Tips for Best Results
- Add a splash of broth if the sauce thickens too much before baking.
- Use half beef and half pork for the softest meatballs.
- Egg noodles work best because they hold the sauce without getting mushy.
- For extra richness, add 2 tbsp cream cheese to the sauce.