Servings
Font
Back
4.8 from 144 votes

Homemade Swedish Meatballs Recipe

This recipe for easy, homemade Swedish Meatballs in a rich, creamy sauce is one of our favorite comfort foods! These really are the best Swedish meatballs in a simple gravy sauce that is made from scratch that I've ever had!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 564 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Meatballs
  • 3 lices white bread crust removed and cut into small cubes (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1/2 large onion grated on the large holes of a box grater
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon salted butter
Sauce
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the cubed bread and milk to a large bowl. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes.
  2. While the bread is soaking, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and garlic powder to the bowl of bread and milk, along with the cooled onions. Mix well with your hands until combined.
  4. Form about 30 small meatballs (each about 1" in diameter) and set aside on a baking sheet or plate.
  5. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil and tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat in the same skillet used for the onions. Working in batches, fry the meatballs for about 4-5 minutes, rotating to brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  6. Once all of the meatballs are browned, make the sauce in the same pan by heating 1/4 cup butter until melted. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until light brown and bubbly.
  7. Whisk in broth, cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  8. Return the meatballs to the pan with the sauce, then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

  • When browning, the meatballs don't need to be completely cooked through unless you plan to eat them plain since they will finish cooking as they simmer in the Swedish meatball sauce. If you don't plan on making the sauce, you will need to cook the meatballs slightly longer, around 6-8 minutes in total, until they are cooked through.
  • Freezing Instructions: The meatballs can be made and frozen either cooked or uncooked. If freezing uncooked meatballs, thaw them in the fridge, then proceed with cooking them as directed in the recipe. If freezing cooked meatballs, they can be added to the sauce while frozen and heated until hot all the way through.
  • Oven Method: The meatballs can be cooked in the oven, rather than browning them on the stove. To bake the meatballs, preheat the oven to 400°F, then arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easier cleanup. Bake for 18-20 minutes, then add to the sauce.
  • This recipe is on page 168 of my cookbook, House of Nash Eats Everyday! 

Nutrition Information

Calories 564kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 47g (72%) Saturated Fat 21g (105%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 163mg (54%) Sodium 997mg (42%) Potassium 473mg (14%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 804IU (16%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 98mg (10%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 564

% Daily Value*

Calories 564kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 47g 72%
Saturated Fat 21g 105%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 163mg 54%
Sodium 997mg 42%
Potassium 473mg 10%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 804IU 16%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 98mg 10%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.