Description
Comfort meets classic Scandinavian cuisine in this Swedish Meatball Casserole, blending rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Creamy sauce, tender meatballs, and golden breadcrumbs create a satisfying meal that will transport you straight to Sweden’s cozy kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (lb) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (lb) ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1 egg
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Casserole Base and Topping Ingredients:
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a comfortable cooking environment for the casserole.
- Create a harmonious blend of ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, allspice, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently combine ingredients without overmixing.
- Craft compact, uniform meatballs approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Sear meatballs in a hot skillet over medium heat, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior, approximately 7-8 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to develop a rich sauce: melt butter, then whisk in flour to form a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate beef broth and heavy cream, continuously whisking until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, thickened consistency.
- Introduce sour cream into the sauce, enhancing its creamy texture. Season with additional salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Prepare a greased 9×13-inch baking dish by layering cooked egg noodles as the foundation, then strategically arrange the browned meatballs across the surface.
- Cascade the velvety sauce evenly over the noodles and meatballs, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the dish bubbles with warmth and reaches a thoroughly heated state.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant garnish moments before serving, adding a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- Blend meats thoroughly but avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender and prevent tough texture.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of dried for a softer, more delicate meatball consistency.
- Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option that maintains the classic Swedish flavor profile.
- Chill meatballs for 30 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape and prevent falling apart during browning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 549 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg