Most weeks I try to meal prep once a week. This way I can get ahead and have time to do other things (like taking care of 6 kids!) Swedish meatballs are a great make-ahead recipe that anyone with a hungry mouth can eat. They are packed with protein and cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce.
Best Swedish Meatballs
What comes to mind when you hear Swedish meatballs? You might think of Sunday dinner at your grandmother’s or at Ikea. Meatballs have been a staple in Sweden for hundreds of years. Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with lingonberry jam. Instead, the American version features a creamy gravy made with cornstarch or all-purpose flour roux.
The meatballs are made with a mixture of ground pork and ground beef, topped with egg noodles and a little chopped nutmeg. Other ingredients can include everything from Worcestershire sauce to Dijon mustard.
A fresh change
My take on the classic Swedish meatball is a little different, but the flavor is the same. I use all ground beef, season with seasoned bread crumbs and chopped parsley instead of nutmeg, and mix in cream cheese and high-protein Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. The ultimate comfort food!
Some recipes call for a crock pot or slow cooker, but I prefer to make it on the stove. Kids will eat the entire recipe in one sitting, so double or triple it if you want leftovers. If you want to prepare the meal in advance, make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for later. Frozen meatballs can be reheated on the stove, thawed, and then simmered in a creamy sauce.
Sour cream and Greek yogurt add acidity, but plenty of salt and pepper balance it out.
To serve with Swedish meatballs
These are usually served with egg noodles, but you don’t have to. Our family loves them with mashed potatoes. Try these Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower “Potatoes” for a low-carb version. You can also try them with spaghetti squash.
Swedish Meatball Recipe
This healthy variation of the classic Swedish meatball is tender and delicious, simmered in a creamy sauce for a comforting meal. Perfect on top of mashed potatoes or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- 1 A large spoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 cloves garlic (chopped)
- ¼ cup Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 pound Minced beef
- 1 big egg
- ¼ cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs (gluten free or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon salt (legal)
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper powder
- 2 cup Beef Broth (reduced sodium)
- 3 oz. cream cheese (fat reduction)
- ½ cup Plain Greek Yogurt (or sour cream)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for decoration)
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
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Add the chopped parsley and cook for another minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool.
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooled onion-garlic mixture, eggs, seasoned breadcrumbs, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix meatball ingredients well.
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Shape the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.
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In the same skillet, fry the meatballs over medium heat until golden brown on all sides, adding more olive oil if necessary. Cook until cooked through.
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Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
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Pour beef broth or beef stock into a frying pan and bring to a boil.
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Add cream cheese to the boiling broth and continue stirring until melted and smooth.
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Add Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and stir until well combined.
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Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss with the creamy Swedish meatball sauce.
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Warm the homemade meatballs by simmering them over low heat.
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Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve warm with chopped fresh parsley.
Nutritional Information
Swedish Meatball Recipe
Serving Size (Serving Size)
calorie 237
Fat calories 117
% Daily Value*
province 13g20%
5g saturated fat31%
Trans fat 0.5g
1g polyunsaturated fat
6g monounsaturated fat
Cholesterol 85mg28%
sodium 678mg29%
potassium 409mg12%
carbohydrate 7g2%
1g of fiber4%
2g sugar2%
protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 339 IU7%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
calcium 75mg8%
steel 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Intake is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- It’s delicious served on mashed potatoes.
- For breadcrumbs, it’s a good idea to use dried and mixed sourdough.
Need more appetizer ideas? Our family loves these Bacon Chicken Bites. They’re also great for a quick lunch.
What’s your favorite way to serve Swedish meatballs? Let us know in the comments!
