The Recipe Rebel / Dinner
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 23 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Jump to Recipe
Last updated on March 1, 2024
This Swedish Meatballs recipe is made with juicy homemade meatballs, simmered in a rich and creamy beef gravy — perfect for serving or noodles or mashed potatoes! See the step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-6-of-37.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2)")
Table of Contents
- What is in Swedish meatball sauce?
- Variations and Substitutions:
- Can I make these Swedish Meatballs in the crockpot?
- Can I make these meatballs in the Instant Pot?
- What should I serve with Swedish Meatballs?
- Swedish Meatballs Recipe
We are a little meatball-obsessed around here, which explains our February theme for 6 Ingredient Staples — this easy Homemade Meatballs recipe.
So far, we’ve used it to make this classic Spaghetti and Meatballs (one of our all time favorite meals!) and now we’re tossing them in a rich and creamy gravy that couldn’t be simpler!
These Swedish Meatballs are totally juicy, loaded with flavor and made with just a few ingredients.
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-14-of-37.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (3)")
Serve them over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes with a solid ladle of that creamy, beefy gravy and a side salad and one of my Mom’s Homemade Buns for a meal that screams comfort food!
What is in Swedish meatball sauce?
I guess that depends on who you ask 😉
Traditionally, Swedish meatball sauce is a creamy beef gravy that starts with a simple roux (melted butter and flour to thicken), beef stock or broth and a few simple seasonings plus something to make it extra rich and creamy.
Often, that something is sour cream, and since I’m not a big fan of sour cream I usually use heavy cream instead. The heavy cream adds the perfect richness and we really love it this way!
I’ve included both in the recipe, so you can use whichever you prefer and both will be delicious!
Variations and Substitutions:
- Meatballs: you can swap the homemade meatballs for store bought meatballs in a pinch, though nothing compares to homemade! If you are making homemade meatballs just for these Swedish meatballs, feel free to add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg for a more authentic flavor!
- Beef broth: I always choose low sodium stock and broth and add my own seasoning. If you have regular beef broth with salt added, you will want to leave the salt out and add to taste at the end.
- Cream: I make my sauce with heavy cream, but you can use either cream or sour cream (and I’ve included both in the recipe), without changing anything else in the recipe and both will work just as well!
- Seasonings: since I use my classic homemade meatball recipe for these Swedish meatballs, I add a bit of nutmeg to my sauce to get that classic flavor coming through. You can adjust the seasonings to taste as you like!
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/meatball-recipe-www.thereciperebel.com-600-1-of-21.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (4)")
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/meatball-recipe-www.thereciperebel.com-600-4-of-21.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (5)")
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-1-of-37.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (6)")
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-4-of-37.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (7)")
Can I make these Swedish Meatballs in the crockpot?
If you’re looking to make these meatballs in the slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs recipe and post for more information.
Can I make these meatballs in the Instant Pot?
If you want to make Swedish meatballs in the Instant Pot, check out my Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs and Noodles for more information.
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-33-of-37.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (8)")
What should I serve with Swedish Meatballs?
We love these Swedish Meatballs served over plain cooked egg noodles or these Crockpot Mashed Potatoes — but these Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes would be an indulgent addition to your meal!
This Instant Pot Brown Rice also rounds out the meal nicely!
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/themes/thereciperebel-2020/assets/images/ashley.png "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (9)")
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Pin this recipe to your favorite boardSwedish Meatballs
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 23 votes
This Swedish Meatballs recipe is made with juicy homemade meatballs, simmered in a rich and creamy beef gravy — perfect for serving or noodles or mashed potatoes!
![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thereciperebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/swedish-meatballs-www.thereciperebel.com-600-6-of-37-200x200.jpg "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (11)")
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ReviewPrep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Cuisine American, Swedish
Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings
Calories 456cal
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 slice soft bread
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Swedish Meatball Sauce
- 1 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Meatballs
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with tin foil — optional but helps with clean up! (OPTIONAL: instead of baking, you can also simmer right in the sauce for 8 minutes per side. I bake a big batch at once, which is why I bake them).
Tear bread into small pieces and place in a food processor. Process until the bread is in fine crumbs and combine with water. Stir and let sit for a few minutes.
In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, nutmeg and soaked bread until just combined — don't overmix!
Shape into 1.5-2″ balls (I get about 20 this way, but you can get up to 30 if you shape them into 1″ balls) and place 1″ apart on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes (longer for 2″ rounds, shorter for 1″ rounds), until a meat thermometer reads at least 160 degrees F in the largest meatballs (a meat thermometer is your best chance at having perfectly cooked meatballs!)
Remove from the oven.
Swedish Meatball Sauce
In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together broth, cream, Worcestershire sauce, corn starch, garlic, parsley, salt, thyme, pepper and nutmeg.
Pour into a large skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer until slightly thickened, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
Add the meatballs, stir and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until heated through (or 8 minutes per side if you are adding them raw).
Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes and refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 456cal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 777mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg
Keywords meatballs, swedish meatballs
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Tag @thereciperebel![Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (12)](https://i0.wp.com/secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b6705172e22a1e40cd5745438ff6b229?s=96&d=mm&r=g "Swedish Meatballs recipe [step by step VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (12)")
Meet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Marlene Stjernfeldt says
Sound good but it’s not even close to real swedish meatballs. Not the ones we do here in Sweden anyways. Nor the sause but it still sounds tasty.
Reply
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Marlene! It’s very tasty! Definitely not claiming it to be the real version. Each country has their own ingredients, products and ways of making recipes, so this is just my spin in on.
Reply
Tara Alden says
Absolutely loved this recipe! I didn’t listen and used beef bouillon cubes and was way too salty so did tone down with milk and sour cream. Will definitely make again with low sodium beef broth! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Tara! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Reply
Megan says
Usually with recipes I find on Pinterest I have to make a few times and figure out what to change. This recipe however was amazing first time! The only thing I’d change is doubling the sauce we were fighting over who got the last of it! So delicious thank you!
Reply
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Megan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Reply
Jane King says
Love this recipe!
Can I make them ahead amid freeze them. Cooked or uncooked?Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely! You can freeze them either way (you can even freeze with the sauce!). I like to freeze them cooked so I can pull them out for quick meals
Reply
Selena says
I added a tablespoon of white wine and sautéed mushrooms. Delish!
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Ashley Fehr says
Great idea!
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Nicole says
So I notice cheese in the picture for the meatballs do you just not put it in if you are just making them for Swedish meatballs?
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, I just omit the cheese for Swedish meatballs, though you could add some in if you want!
Reply
Brooke Mead says
Instead of the bread can you use bread crumbs store bought? Do you still need to soak them? And how much breadcrumbs?
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
You can use dried bread crumbs but you will need more liquid because they are not as moist
Reply
Claudia Lamascolo says
I have never had anything like this, heard of them but never wanted to try them until I saw this mouth watering photo On my list to make
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
I hope you enjoy them!
Reply
Elizabeth says
Delicious, the family loved them! I’ll have to try them in the Crock-Pot next.
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Elizabeth!
Reply
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I usually have meatballs American style in a marinara sauce but now you’ve made me crave them this way with gravy
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
You’ll have to try them!
Reply
Anjali says
Thanks for these helpful tips to make the perfect meatballs!! These turned out to be moist and satisfying and everyone loved them!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Reply
Dannii says
This is always a must when we go to Ikea. I really should make it myself more.
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
We love homemade way better!
Reply
Melissa Berman says
If I wanted to substitute almond flour for the processed bread in the meatball recipe, how much would I need? Let me know. Thanks!
Reply
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Melissa! I’ve never tried anything like that so I can’t say how it would go
Reply
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