Swedish meatballs are incredibly tender and served with a rich, flavorful gravy that pairs perfectly with pasta or rice for a satisfying dinner. They also make a hearty appetizer and can be kept warm in a slow cooker, making them an excellent choice for potlucks!
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 2 slices white bread, toasted and crumbled
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 small onion, minced
- 2/3 pound ground beef (or substitute 1/2 pound beef and 1/2 pound pork)
- 1/3 pound finely ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Gravy:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (adjust as needed)
- 2 cups beef broth (or more as needed)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Bread Crumbs: Mix crumbled bread with cream in a small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until fully absorbed.
- Cook Onion: Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft and lightly browned. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatballs: Combine the onion with ground beef, pork, egg, brown sugar, salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and soaked breadcrumbs. Mix until just combined.
- Form Meatballs: Shape about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture into meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs for about 5 minutes, turning frequently. Meatballs will still be pink inside.
- Bake: Transfer meatballs to a baking dish. Pour chicken broth over them, cover with foil, and bake for 20-40 minutes until tender. Remove meatballs and place in a serving dish.
Gravy:
- Pour pan drippings into a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth.
- Gradually whisk in beef broth to make about 2 1/2 cups total liquid. Simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in sour cream just before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Drizzle gravy over the meatballs and serve with pasta, rice, or egg noodles.
TIPS:
- Make Ahead: Keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker with gravy. Stir in sour cream just before serving.
- Double Batch: Recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
