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Creamy Swedish Meatballs

creamy swedish meatballs - featured image

A comforting and easy homemade Swedish meatballs recipe featuring tender meatballs in a rich, creamy sauce with a subtle tang and warm spices. Perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup plain or panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in milk for about 5 minutes until softened. Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add the ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 20 total. Keep them uniform in size for even cooking and set aside on a plate.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches without overcrowding the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch, until golden but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to form a roux, until golden and nutty smelling.
  5. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of nutmeg. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in the sour cream until smooth, avoiding boiling to prevent curdling. Return the meatballs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for garnish. Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or your preferred side.

Notes

Soak breadcrumbs in milk to keep meatballs moist and tender. Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning to get a good crust. Whisk roux carefully to avoid raw flour taste. Add sour cream off heat to prevent curdling. Meatballs can be baked at 375°F for 15 minutes as a shortcut but skillet browning yields better flavor. Variations include gluten-free substitutions, low-carb options, vegetarian versions, and adding mushrooms or spices for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Swedish meatballs, creamy meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner, homemade meatballs, weeknight meal