Deliciously Easy Swedish Meatballs: A Family Favorite Recipe

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Looking for a meal that’s both comforting and full of flavor? Look no further than these homemade Swedish Meatballs!

With a blend of spices, including nutmeg and allspice, and a creamy sauce that’s simply irresistible, this dish will surely become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Between the testing crew and myself, we tested this recipe 7 times before the final recipe was published and since then I’ve been making this recipe on repeat at least twice a month.

In my option, mashed potatoes is the absolute perfect side dish to go with these meatballs. I’ve also served them with this low carb Roasted Cabbage recipe. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe!

Why you are going to love my Swedish meatball recipe

• Quick and Easy – This recipe couldn’t be any easier and is made in just 30 minutes from start to finish. I’ve never had Ikea meatballs, but between the juicy meatballs and the flavorful cream sauce, this great recipe will be a hit!
• Kid-Friendly – My picky eaters always love this recipe.
• Budget-Friendly – Ground beef and pork are affordable proteins, making Swedish meatballs a budget-friendly option for feeding your family.
• Comfort Food – Mashed potatoes and Swedish meatballs are the ultimate comfort food mash-up.

Easy Swedish meatball recipe ingredients

A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.

Meatballs

• Ground Beef – 85/15 is my preference.
• Ground Pork – Any combination of ground pork and ground beef can be used. I often use 100% ground beef if I only have beef on hand.
• Plain Bread Crumbs – I’ve used seasoned bread crumbs in a pinch.
• Large Egg
• Finely Diced Onion – Grate the onion or substitute onion powder if you have picky eaters that do not like onion.
• Optional – 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and/or soy sauce.

Sauce

• Butter – Salted or unsalted will work.
• Beef Broth – Chicken broth or vegetable broth can be substituted.
• Half & Half – Heavy cream or sour cream can be substituted for the half-and-half.
• Spices – Onion Powder, Black Pepper, and Salt.
• Optional: Parsley for garnish.

How to make the best Swedish meatballs

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2: Add breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, allspice, nutmeg, garlic, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Beat until ingredients are incorporated, and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add pork and ground beef to the breadcrumb mixture. Combine ingredients and form the meatball mixture into 12 – 15 balls. Place the meatballs on a greased sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes, turning the meatballs halfway through the cooking process.

Step 4: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat while the meatballs bake. Add the flour and stir over medium-high heat for 1 – 2 minutes.

Step 5: Add half of the beef broth. The sauce will thicken quickly.  Add the rest of the beef broth and the half and half, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.  Continue to cook until the sauce thickens, stirring often. It should take 5 – 7 minutes.

Step 6: Add the meatballs to the sauce once the sauce has thickened. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes over low heat.  When the meatballs are 165 degrees, you’ll know they are cooked through.

Step 7: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles. 

Storage

Store leftover homemade meatballs and the sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Make ahead

Roll out the meatballs and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days before serving. It’s best to make the sauce the same day you plan to serve the meatballs.

Tips

• Frozen meatballs can be used, but you’ll want to add the allspice and nutmeg to the sauce for a traditional Swedish meatball flavor profile.
• Chill the Meatballs: After forming the meatballs, it’s a good idea to chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the meatballs hold their shape better when cooking and prevents them from falling apart.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the meatballs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 160°F (71°C) for beef and pork meatballs.
• Storage – Be sure meatballs are at room temperature before storing them in the fridge or freezer.

What to serve with Swedish meatballs

I’ve written a complete post with 17 great side dish options to serve with Swedish Meatballs, but you should definately consider making this mashed potatoes recipe. It’s my favorte way to serve this savory dish.

Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with lingonberry jam.

More meatball recipes

Italian Meatballs

Meatball Sliders

Honey Bourbon Meatballs

Orange Chicken Meatballs

Asian Meatballs

Southwest Meatballs

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