ByDonna Elick
29 Comments
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ThistraditionalSwedish meatballs recipecombines tender bites of spiced meat with a rich homemade cream sauce. Make it for dinner in under an hour! Everyone will love this simple homemade meatballs recipe!
I swear – this recipe makes the best Swedish meatballs. I love the simple meat mixture and the fact that this great recipe produces juicy meatballs, not dry and crumbly ones.
The best part is that you can top them with a creamy gravy sauce or eat them as your main course.
When you have traditional meatballs like this, you can serve them anytime you want.
They’re great for a Christmas Eve dinner, perfect for a weeknight dinner, or great for a party. You can easily make this recipe in large quantities for a crowd.
Traditional Swedish Meatballs
It’s easy to cook this comfort food meal right at home, and it tastes even better than Ikea meatballs!
The secret is the Swedish meatball sauce. Similar to gravy, it starts by slowly whisking beef broth into a roux until the mixture becomes smooth.
Add a bit of Worcestershire for extra flavor, then the heavy cream turns it into a luscious, rich concoction that you’ll want to put on everything!
Looking for more unique flavor combinations? Try myteriyakiorcheesy taco stuffedmeatball recipes. I even have one that tastes just likeChicken Parmesan!
Easy Swedish Meatballs – Tips and Tricks
- Use a mixture of beef and pork.It will add extra flavor and keep the meatballs in cream sauce, tender and moist.
I love a good combination of beef and pork mixture!
You can also use all lean ground beef if you prefer, but I recommend skipping the extra lean blends.
A combination of meats is a great way to add flavor and moisture.
- Tip for forming the balls:Press firmly enough that they won’t fall apart, but don’t overwork the mixture, or it can become tough and dry.
Then, dip your hands in water as you roll them so they are nice and smooth on the outside.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan.Leave space in the pan so the meat can brown, not steam. If your skillet isn’t large enough, you will need to work in batches.
- Test for doneness.The size of your rounds will affect how long they need to cook, so cut one open to make sure it’s done before removing the rest from the pan.
- Don’t have beef broth?You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth instead for these easy Swedish meatballs.
Meatballs with Cream Sauce Serving Suggestions
Spoon the traditional Swedish meatballs over egg noodles ormashed potatoeswith a dollop of lingonberry jam.
If you’d like, add a simple salad or some steamed vegetables to give the plate some color and round out the meal.
Meatballs In Cream Sauce FAQs
Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream?
Yes, and it’s a great alternative if you want something a little bit tangier. I recommend starting with a smaller amount and adding more as needed after tasting. Add more as needed until the Swedish meatball sauce is perfect.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover meatballs with cream sauce?
Either simmer the meatballs in cream sauce together on the stove until warmed through or heat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Can I make just the Swedish meatball sauce by itself?
Absolutely! Feel free to double or triple the amounts to use the sauce for other meals.
Keep the Swedish meatball sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week and reheat slowly on the stove, adding a splash of broth as needed to thin out the consistency.
Can I freeze this cooked Swedish meatball recipe?
You can. If you find that you have leftovers of this authentic Swedish meatballs recipe, freeze them for later. Let the homemade Swedish meatballs cool to room temperature, and then store any leftovers in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to reheat and eat, you can add them to a large skillet on medium heat and warm them up. The frying pan will heat the classic Swedish meatballs recipe, making them golden brown and hot.
What side dishes pair well with these meatballs?
Did I mention that these are the best meatballs? You can pair them with a creamy mashed potato side dish or create a meatball sandwich by adding the meatballs onto a slice of white bread and then topping with some of the delicious creamy Swedish meatball sauce.
The flavors of the meatball mixture also pair well with steamed veggies or a side salad. The only reason that you would pair it with side dishes is to round out the flavors!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Meatball Recipes
Traditional Swedish Meatballs (Classic Recipe) +Video
Donna Elick
This Swedish meatballs recipe combines tender bites of spiced meat with a rich homemade cream sauce. Make it for dinner in under an hour!
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
In a large bowl combine ground pork, ground beef, onion, egg, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, allspice, and parsley. Mix the ingredients thoroughly then roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.
Place butter in a large skillet and, working in batches, begin frying the meatballs, cooking them on all sides until they are perfectly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Once meatballs are cooked set them to the side and begin making your sauce. Add butter to the skillet and once it is melted add the flour whisking quickly and forming a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until it begins to turn a golden color.
Slowly add beef broth whisking the whole time to keep it from getting lumpy. Once all of the broth has been added cook for 5-7 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken.
Add Worcestershire and heavy cream and continue cooking until the sauce is thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook them together for about 5 minutes.
Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Video
Donna’s Notes
If your skillet has too many burned bits after you finish cooking the meatballs you can wash it out before starting your sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 571cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published February 2018, updated and republished March 2024
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