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These super easy Swedish Meatballs are ready in about 45 minutes and are sure to knock your socks off!
We love to serve this classic Swedish Meatball recipe over some creamy Mashed Potatoes for a comforting dinner.
Watch out IKEA, these tasty Swedish Meatballs and Gravy are so easy to make at home, you’ll be blown away!
Easy Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Even my pickiest eaters love this delicious dinner.
Italian Meatballs vs. Swedish Meatballs?
The first thing we need to talk about is the difference between Swedish Meatballs and Italian Meatballs. Because there is a difference!
Swedish meatballs contain just a touch of all spice (or you can use nutmeg) for a subtle, yet noticeable difference.
Both Italian Meatballs and Swedish Meatballs contain ground beef and ground pork, along with milk, breadcrumbs and egg for binding.
Swedish meatballs are traditionally served in a creamy gravy over egg noodles or mashed potatoes, while Italian meatballs are served with marinara sauce and pasta.
Ingredients for Swedish Meatballs
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to make homemade Swedish Meatballs. You can find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef– I prefer to use a lean ground beef
- Ground Pork
- Breadcrumbs – plain breadcrumbs or Panko style
- Milk
- Egg
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- All Spice (or nutmeg)
- Parsley – make sure to chop finely
- Salt and Pepper
How To Make Homemade Swedish Meatballs
Making Swedish Meatballs at home is actually quite easy! Gather all your ingredients and let’s make some Swedish Meatballs.
CREATE BINDING
Start by combining the breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder and all spice in a bowl and allow the mixture to absorb for about 10 minutes.
SHAPE MEATBALLS
Once it’s absorbed a bit, add in the ground beef, ground pork and parsley, mixing with clean hands and shaping into balls.
COOK MEATBALLS
Heat some oil and butter on the stove top and fry the meatballs (or bake) until cooked through.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions
Here are some great tips and tricks to making these meatballs
PRE COOKED MEATBALLS? When you’re not in the mood for making homemade meatballs, or maybe you just don’t have the time… using frozen, store bought meatballs will work too! Just defrost/microwave the meatballs prior to adding to the gravy.
FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: You can also pre-cook the Swedish meatballs, let them cool, then freeze them for up to 3 months. This makes it super easy to whip this dinner up on a busy weeknight!
NO SOUR CREAM? If you don’t have sour cream for the gravy, you can also use plain Greek yogurt.
Creamy Swedish Meatball Sauce
Let’s talk about the gravy or sauce that goes along with these tender and delicious Swedish Meatballs!
It’s a super simple beef gravy that’s finished off with sour cream to give it the perfect creamy tang. The combination of spiced meatballs and creamy gravy is a match made in heaven.
Ingredients for Swedish Meatball Sauce-
Here’s what you’ll need in order to make the delicious, creamy gravy! You can find exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter– I prefer to use salted butter for this recipe
- Flour– all purpose
- Beef Broth– low sodium
- Sour Cream– you can swap plain greek yogurt if desired
- Salt and Pepper
- Parsley
How To Make Swedish Meatball Sauce
MAKE A ROUX
Just like any typical gravy recipe, you’ll start by melting butter in a hot pan (preferably the one you just made the meatballs in), and then whisk in the flour. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes to really deepen the flavor of the gravy.
ADD BROTH
Once the flour has cooked gradually whisk in the beef broth, making sure to stir out any clumps that may form. Then add in the sour cream and season with salt and pepper.
HEAT MEATBALLSIN SAUCE
Return the seared meatballs to the sauce and let them get heated through. The sauce should thicken as it continues to cook.
What To Serve With Swedish Meatballs
Like I mentioned earlier, Swedish Meatballs are fantastic over fluffy mashed potatoes or even egg noodles.
Traditionally, Swedish Meatballs are also served with Lingonberry Sauce, which has a similar consistency and tartness as cranberry sauce.
Here are some more great side options for Swedish Meatballs…
- Steamed Peas
- Sautéed Zucchini
- Roasted Broccoli
- Brown Sugar Carrots
More Easy Meatball Recipes To Try:
Craving more easy and delicious meatball recipes? Here are some of our favorites!
- Italian Meatballs
- Cranberry Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs
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Super Easy Swedish Meatballs
These Super Easy Swedish Meatballs and Gravy are delicious and ready in about 45 minutes!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Swedish
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 549 kcal
Author: Shawn
Ingredients
For The Swedish Meatballs
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp all spice, or nutmeg
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground pork
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For The Swedish Gravy
- 5 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ - 3 cups beef broth
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp finely minced parsley, divided
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
For the Swedish Meatballs
Combine the breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and all spice in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes to soak breadcrumbs.
Add in the ground beef, ground pork and parsley and mix with clean hands to shape 24 small meatballs. Set aside.
In a large pan over medium-high heat, add in the 2 tsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Cook the meatballs in a single layer, making sure to not crowd the pan, and sear the meatballs on all sides. You may have to do this in two batches. Set meatballs aside on a clean plate and cover with foil.
For the Gravy
In the same pan that was used to cook the meatballs, add in the 5 tbsp of butter. Once it's melted gradually whisk in the flour until it's thick and somewhat crumbly.
Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking constantly until it's all added, making sure to scrap any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Start with 2 ½ cups and if you want a thinner gravy add in the remaining ½ cup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add in the sour cream and whisk to combine. Season with salt, pepper and half of the parsley.
Add the meatballs back to the gravy and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes, or until meatballs are heated through.
Serve meatballs over warm mashed potatoes and garnish with the extra parsley. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
You can swap the homemade Swedish meatballs for store bought plain meatballs if desired.
MAKE AHEAD:Prepare and cook meatballs according to recipe. Let the meatballs cool completely, then store in a zip close bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 1073mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 668IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 3mg
Keywords: Beef, Easy, meatballs, sour cream
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