Life just got better. My neighbor whipped this up the other night and I knew I had to get the recipe right away – Just fantastic…and so easy!
Swedish Metaball Pasta Bake is a hearty dish that combines the richness of pre-cooked frozen meatballs, shell pasta, and a luscious creamy sauce. This article explores the step-by-step process of creating this mouthwatering masterpiece.
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Ingredients:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Pre-cooked frozen meatballs | 1.5 pounds |
Shell pasta | 2 cups |
Butter | 6 tablespoons |
Heavy cream | 1/2 cup |
All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons |
Beef broth | 4 cups |
Worcestershire sauce | 1/2 tablespoon |
Water | 1/2 cup |
Chopped parsley | 3 tablespoons |
Salt and pepper (to taste) | – |
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish generously and position it conveniently.
- Cook the shell pasta to al dente perfection following the package instructions. Drain and nestle the pasta in the prepared baking dish.
- In a pan, sauté the pre-cooked frozen meatballs until they achieve a golden-brown perfection. Set them aside.
- In the same pan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a smooth roux.
- Pour in 4 cups of beef broth, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1/2 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Add 1/2 cup of water to achieve the desired consistency. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of chopped parsley into the creamy sauce and mix well.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta in the baking dish. Ensure an even distribution.
- Nestle the sautéed meatballs into the pasta and sauce, evenly spacing them for balanced flavor.
- Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top achieves a golden finish.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve your Swedish Metaball Pasta Bake with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a delightful presentation.