If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food, look no further than these homemade Swedish Meatballs. Imagine tender, flavorful morsels bathed in a creamy, savory sauce—every bite feels like a warm hug on a chilly night. This dish is pure Scandinavian coziness: savory, perfectly spiced, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re serving them over silky mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles, Swedish Meatballs have a way of turning any meal into a joyful occasion. Let’s roll up our sleeves and bring these family favorites to your table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Swedish Meatballs lies in simple yet purposeful ingredients. Each one plays a vital role—whether that’s adding juiciness, a touch of spice, or creamy richness—to create meatballs that are anything but ordinary.
- Ground Beef (1 pound): Choose a blend with some fat for juicy, tender meatballs.
- Ground Pork (1/2 pound): The pork brings sweetness and keeps the meatballs moist.
- Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup): Act as the binder, soaking up moisture and guaranteeing tenderness.
- Whole Milk (1/4 cup): Softens the breadcrumbs, making each meatball feather-light.
- Small Onion, finely chopped (1): Adds natural sweetness and a pop of texture in every bite.
- Egg (1): Holds the mixture together for perfect meatball form every time.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): The essential base note that brings the flavors together.
- Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): A hint of gentle heat to balance the richness.
- Ground Allspice (1/4 teaspoon): The classic Scandinavian secret—adds warm depth and a distinctive aroma.
- Ground Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Just a dash for subtle sweetness and signature Nordic character.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): For browning and a silky, golden sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons): To thicken the luscious sauce.
- Beef Broth (2 cups): The flavorful base that makes the sauce so craveworthy.
- Heavy Cream (1/2 cup): Brings the sauce together in the creamiest, most luxurious way.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 tablespoon): For a tangy, deep umami lift that ties the sauce together.
- Salt and Pepper to taste: Fine-tuning seasoning for the sauce, so every batch is just right.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley (for garnish): Adds vibrant color and freshness to your Swedish Meatballs.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs
Step 1: Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture
Start by letting the breadcrumbs and milk mingle in a big bowl for about 5 minutes. This simple trick transforms the crumbs into little sponges that keep your meatballs moist and airy, instead of heavy or dry!
Step 2: Mix and Form the Meatballs
Add the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg right into the breadcrumb mixture. Mix everything gently with clean hands or a wooden spoon—just until it’s combined. The key is not to overmix, so the Swedish Meatballs stay meltingly tender. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and line them up on a plate.
Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your meatballs in batches, turning them gently so all sides develop a golden brown crust—about 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Savory Cream Sauce
Using the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 to 2 minutes as the mixture bubbles. Gradually pour in the beef broth, whisking out any lumps, and simmer for around 5 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. This is where the aroma gets irresistible!
Step 5: Finish the Sauce and Simmer the Meatballs
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and season the sauce with more salt and pepper if needed. Slide the browned Swedish Meatballs back into the luscious sauce, making sure each one is coated. Let them gently simmer for 10 minutes, giving the flavors a chance to meld and the sauce to thicken even more.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle with a generous handful of chopped fresh parsley. It adds a burst of color and a little freshness that brightens up these creamy, savory bites!
How to Serve Swedish Meatballs
Garnishes
Traditionally, a shower of finely chopped fresh parsley is all you need to crown these creamy Swedish Meatballs with a touch of green. For a festive touch, a few swirls of lingonberry jam or a pinch of cracked black pepper on top can be lovely too. The garnishes may seem simple, but they really elevate the whole experience.
Side Dishes
Classic Swedish Meatballs practically demand a bed of billowy mashed potatoes—those buttery clouds soak up the savory sauce perfectly. But don’t stop there: buttery egg noodles, fluffy rice, or even roasted root veggies make delicious partners on the plate. For a crisp and refreshing contrast, a side of quick-pickled cucumbers or a light green salad rounds things out beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Swedish Meatballs into a playful party appetizer by skewering bite-sized versions on toothpicks with a drizzle of sauce. Or nestle them onto a piece of crusty bread for a hearty open-faced sandwich. You can even serve them family-style, right from the skillet at the center of the table, so everyone can help themselves and go back for seconds (and thirds).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftover Swedish Meatballs and sauce into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen as they sit, so don’t be surprised if tomorrow’s lunch is even more delicious!
Freezing
For an easy freezer meal, place cooled Swedish Meatballs (with or without sauce) in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll have a comforting meal ready at a moment’s notice.
Reheating
Gently reheat Swedish Meatballs and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, stirring often until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, just add a splash of beef broth or cream until it’s silky again. The microwave works too—just heat in short bursts, and stir often for even warming.
FAQs
Can I make Swedish Meatballs gluten free?
Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs and swap in a gluten-free flour blend for the sauce. Everything else stays the same, so you can still enjoy all the comforting, classic flavors.
Why do Swedish Meatballs use both beef and pork?
The combination of beef and pork is what makes Swedish Meatballs especially tender and flavorful. Pork adds just the right amount of fat and a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the heartiness of the beef.
What’s the best way to chop the onion so it blends into the meatballs?
Finely chop the onion as small as possible, almost into a mince, so it melts into the meatball mixture and adds moisture without big chunks. If you have picky eaters, you can even grate the onion for an ultra-smooth texture.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Definitely. You can form and brown the meatballs ahead of time, then refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to simmer them in sauce. This is perfect for meal prepping or entertaining!
What makes Swedish Meatballs different from Italian meatballs?
It’s all about the spices and sauce! Swedish Meatballs use warm spices like allspice and nutmeg, and they’re always served in a creamy sauce, instead of tomato-based. The flavor profile is rich, savory, and totally unique to Scandinavian cuisine.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never made Swedish Meatballs at home, you’re in for the most delightful kitchen adventure. They’re easy, comforting, and always a hit with friends and family. Give this recipe a try and watch everyone gather around the table with big smiles (and maybe even Swedish seconds).
Print
Swedish Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Scandinavia with this classic Swedish Meatballs recipe. Tender meatballs in a rich, creamy sauce, these are perfect served over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl. Add meats, onion, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Mix gently, then form into meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Brown meatballs in butter in a skillet. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add beef broth. Simmer until thickened. Stir in cream and Worcestershire sauce. Season.
- Combine and Simmer: Return meatballs to the skillet, simmer in sauce until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve over preferred base.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
- For richer flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
