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Tender, spiced beef and pork meatballs simmered in a rich, savory cream gravy. This beloved comfort food classic is perfect over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a hearty, satisfying meal.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Brown the Meatballs
Create the Cream Gravy
Crisp, thinly sliced cucumbers in a sweet and tangy brine with fresh dill. This classic Swedish side salad, Pressgurka, is the perfect refreshing counterpoint to rich dishes like meatballs and gravy.
Enjoy the ultimate comfort food, completely plant-based! These tender vegan 'meatballs' are smothered in a rich, savory cream sauce, perfectly mimicking the classic Swedish dish. Ideal for a cozy dinner any night of the week.
Tender, spiced beef and pork meatballs simmered in a rich, savory cream gravy. This beloved comfort food classic is perfect over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a hearty, satisfying meal.
This swedish recipe takes 50 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 817.19 calories per serving with 48.15g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Simmer and Finish
For a different flavor profile, you can use all ground beef, or a mix of beef, pork, and ground veal.
To make this dairy-free, use unsweetened plant-based milk (like almond or oat), vegan butter, and full-fat coconut cream or a cashew cream substitute for the heavy cream.
Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for the meatballs and a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the roux for the gravy.
Adapted versions of this recipe for specific dietary needs:
The combination of beef and pork provides a high-quality complete protein, essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and maintaining overall body function.
Red meat is a primary source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than non-heme iron from plants. Iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.
This dish is a good source of several B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12, which is vital for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and the formation of red blood cells.
A typical serving of this recipe contains approximately 750-850 calories, not including sides like noodles or potatoes. This is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the meat.
Swedish Meatballs are a rich, high-calorie comfort food, high in protein and fat. While delicious as an occasional treat, they are not typically considered a 'health food' due to the saturated fat and sodium content. You can make them slightly healthier by using leaner meats and low-sodium broth.
Yes, this recipe is great for making ahead. You can prepare and roll the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also freeze the uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Traditionally, they are served with boiled or mashed potatoes, egg noodles, lingonberry jam, and sometimes pickled cucumbers. The combination of the savory gravy, tender meatballs, and sweet jam is classic.
The most common reason for tough meatballs is overmixing the meat mixture. Mix the ingredients with a light hand, just until they are combined. Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk to create a panade also helps keep them tender and moist.
You can bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until browned. However, you will miss out on the flavorful browned bits (fond) in the pan, which add significant depth to the gravy. Frying is recommended for the most authentic flavor.