Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake

𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑦, 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝐵𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑛, 𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑇𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀:

1 lb ground beef 🍖
1/2 cup breadcrumbs 🌾
1 large egg 🥚
1/4 cup milk 🥛
1 small onion, finely chopped 🧅
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
1/2 teaspoon allspice 🌿
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 🧈 (for frying)

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗲:

10 oz pasta (penne or fusilli) 🍝
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 🧈
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 🌾
2 cups beef broth 🍲
1 cup heavy cream 🥛
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 🌿
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 🧀
Fresh parsley, chopped 🌿 (for garnish)

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef 🍖, breadcrumbs 🌾, egg 🥚, milk 🥛, chopped onion 🧅, garlic powder 🧄, allspice 🌿, salt 🧂, and pepper 🧂. Mix until just combined. Form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

3. Cook the meatballs: In a large skillet, melt the butter 🧈 over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta 🍝 according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

5. Make the sauce: In the same skillet used for the meatballs, melt 2 tablespoons of butter 🧈. Stir in the flour 🌾 and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually whisk in the beef broth 🍲 and bring to a simmer. Add the heavy cream 🥛 and Worcestershire sauce 🌿, stirring until the sauce thickens.

6. Assemble the bake: Combine the cooked pasta 🍝 with the sauce and mix until evenly coated. Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, layer the partially cooked meatballs on top, then cover with the remaining pasta.

7. Top with cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella 🧀 and Parmesan 🧀 over the top of the pasta and meatballs.

8. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

9. Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley 🌿 and serve hot. Enjoy this comforting and hearty Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake! 🍽️

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟮𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟭 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿
𝗞𝗰𝗮𝗹: 𝟰𝟴𝟬 𝗸𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝟲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

~ 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒔