This Swedish Meatball Recipe is rich and flavorful without all the kitchen time that usually includes. I used to think Swedish meatballs were things you microwaved in a package from the freezer section until I actually tried making them myself. These are a whole other level of delicious.
Making this meatball recipe in bulk is ideal for meal planning. You can freeze the meatballs for a quick dinner later!
My kids often eat Swedish meatballs for lunch at home too. Something about that rich, beefy sauce is just magical. Cooking them in bulk and freezing half saves me so much time in the kitchen! (And my middle child is a rockstar meatball roller.)
Swedish Meatball Recipe
This Easy Swedish Meatball Recipe is actually an Ikea copycat. If you’ve had them before you know that they serve them with mashed potatoes but we serve them with egg noodles, which is just as delicious. (Okay, maybe more. I love the sauce from the Swedish Meatball recipe over egg noodles – even when the meatballs are gone!)
When I meal plan with Swedish meatballs, I ALWAYS double the recipe, bake the meatballs, and then store half of them in the freezer. Later on, on a night that I only have a few minutes to make dinner, all I have to do is thaw the meatballs and make the sauce. Doing this cuts the cooking time to about 15 minutes, which is perfect for a busy weeknight.
The easiest way to cook the second batch, it to move them from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before then just heat them in the skillet you use to make the sauce. Once they are hot, set them aside, made the sauce in the skillet, then add the meatballs back in and toss to coat.
I do prefer the sauce made fresh instead of freezing it with the meatballs.
Rich, Beefy Meatball Recipe!
Swedish meatballs are very kid friendly – especially when served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles. Be sure save enough of the creamy Swedish Meatball Sauce to pour over your noodles or potatoes because the sauce is what makes these already good meatballs, irresistible.
My family is obsessed with this meal and even if you didn’t cut down on the time by cooking the meatballs in bulk it is still a simple recipe that you can whip up on a busy weeknight.
This Swedish meatball recipe is the definition of comfort food and there is nothing I love more than a cozy night in with a meal like this one.
Looking for more…
Looking for meatballs with a little more kick? These Awesome Meatballs have a little hint of spice and are amazing in red sauce over pasta, make an amazing meatball sandwich – or in the case of my kids, are awesome on their own with ketchup.
Like your beef a little bigger? How about a Cast Iron Flank Steak. Whoa… Big beefy flavor and cooks in minutes in a cast iron skillet – which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Easy Swedish Meatball Recipe
Equipment
- saute pan
Ingredients
Ingredients for Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- dash of pepper
Ingredients for Roux
- salt/pepper
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 1/2 cup beef stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce
- salt/pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl, combine all meatball ingredients above and shape them into 18 - 20 small meatballs. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until they have browned.
- In a large pan, melt the butter and add the flour and garlic. On medium heat whisk until it turns a brown. Pour the beef stock and keep whisking, trying to remove all the clumps from the flour. Next pour in the heavy cream, stir and allow it to simmer until it thickens. Add the dash of the Worcestershire sauce. Check for salt.
- Immediately, add the meatballs into the sauce and coat them evenly. Serve with egg noodles or eat just like they do at Ikea, with some mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce.
Excellent I added some herbs to the meatballs and mushrooms to the sauce.
It was deliciously yummy and I would definitely make it again for sure. It was so easy to make.
Solid comfort food recipe. Added a bit more pepper at the end to add a bit more of a punch. Would consider adding a fresh herb next time.
Can you use whole milk instead of heavy cream? I just ask cuz I want to use what I have in my kitchen and I don’t have heavy cream.
Yes, I believe whole milk will substitute without much issue at all. Let us know how it goes!
Love this recipe!
Absolutely no GARLIC in Swedish Meatbzlls. I was raised in Sweden and learned d how to fry meatballs when I wS eight. There were no garlic in Swedish kitchen as I grow up. It was bought only for foreign foods. ITALIAN ETC.
Thank you for the time you took to comment Christina. It’s a great point. I think each chef has their own preferences and I hope if you will try this recipe as is, you will understand why I chose those flavors together. I think you could completely leave the garlic out if that is preferred.
So so so so yummy!