Swedish Meatball Casserole

This Swedish meatball casserole is a slight twist on the classic meatball recipe everyone knows and loves. Your family will enjoy the thick sauce in this delicious pasta bake…and they’ll adore that it’s all done in less than an hour!

Sometimes you want to put something new on the table, or your family’s begging for something new to eat. It’s just the way of the world for all of us cooks! People in our household want to eat every single day. It's brutal, right???

Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to make an old favorite feel like something special.

This Swedish meatball casserole is essentially just a Swedish meatball dish in pasta bake form. It has the tastes of my Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs but this one is even easier.

I can't even.

It’s easy and fast to make, but don’t let that simplicity fool you. It’s still packed full of that to-die-for Swedish gravy and all those yummy noodles and meatballs. 

This is definitely a keeper of a recipe if you want something “brand new”!

Why I Love This Swedish Meatball Casserole

Other than the fact it’s absolutely drool-worthy, there are a few other reasons I love this recipe, like…

It uses common ingredients – No need to go searching up and down aisles at the grocery store for two hours. You'll find all these ingredients at your run of the mill market.

It’s relatively quick – It’s done in under an hour, which is always bonus for me. We’re a busy family - and I know you are, too!

It’s simple – You won’t be learning any fancy tricks here, which is good if you’re maybe not the best cook in the world. I love making easy recipes for people who need to get in and out of the kitchen.

I adore this Swedish meatball casserole, and I know you’ll adore it too!

Swedish Meatball Casserole Ingredients

Too busy to grocery shop for very long? No worries!

This meatball pasta bake uses a lot of ingredients you have in the pantry already. The rest would only take a quick 5-minute trip to Aldi, Walmart or any other local store.

• Wide egg noodles – feel free to use gluten-free noodles if necessary.
• Butter – for cooking your onions and mushrooms and making your sauce.
• Finely diced onion, and chopped button mushrooms – these are both traditional parts of a Swedish meatball sauce (and delicious to boot). You can save time and effort by using pre-cut mushrooms.
• Flour, beef broth, sour cream, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce – all together, these form the infamous and oh-so-flavorful Swedish meatball sauce, in case you were wondering. Let's channel a little bit of our Muppet's Swedish chef (he's my personal favorite!)
• Salt and pepper – to taste.
• Meatballs – thawed frozen ones or homemade. Whichever is quicker and easier for you! Use whatever base meat your family enjoys, as well. This is a tasty recipe regardless of whether you use beef, chicken, turkey, or pork.
• Fresh parsley – for an optional garnish (though I love it for a pop of color and taste).

How To Make This Meatball Pasta Bake

Like any casserole, this one’s fairly easy (not to mention quick). If you know how to cook pasta and can make a tasty sauce, you’re pretty much all set!

Step 1: Cook your noodles and prep your supplies. Cook your noodles to al dente (still firm when bitten). Drain them and set them aside. 

In the meantime, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2: Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and butter or another fat, though it sounds like a very fancy pants term if you’ve never heard it before.

It’s basically a technique used to make a thick sauce, which is definitely what we want here!

Melt butter in a saucepan and cook your onions and mushrooms until they’re soft (so for about 3-5 minutes). 

Now whisk in flour to make a roux, which should only take about a minute. We're just removing the raw flour taste here.

Step 3: Continue making your Swedish meatball gravy/sauce. Gradually whisk in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Heat the mixture to a simmer and cook it until it’s thickened.

After that, remove from heat and whisk in heavy cream and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Mix together all your ingredients and bake them. Combine your noodles, sauce, and meatballs and add them to your prepared baking dish. Bake it for 20-30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and thick.

Step 5: Serve it up! If you like a garnish, parsley’s my go-to for Swedish meatball casserole. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to make a Swedish meatball casserole?

This recipe is super quick like a good casserole should be. Altogether it takes less than an hour to make, with only 15 minutes to prep the ingredients and then 30 minutes to cook them.

How many people does this Swedish meatball casserole serve?

It should make enough for 4-6 people (for most families).

Do you have to use egg noodles?

Those are just my personal favorite. Feel free to use any kind of pasta you love!

Other Casserole Recipes You’ll Enjoy

• Egg & Sausage Casserole
• 30 Minute Walking Taco Casserole
• Pantry Tuna Pasta Casserole
• Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole
• Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole