Craving comfort food? Look no further! These One Pot Swedish Meatballs are a total slam dunk. They're super easy to make in one pot, and the creamy sauce is to die for. Serve with egg noodles for a hearty, satisfying meal that everyone will love. Ready in just 30 minutes!
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This recipe is inspired by my grandma’s Swedish meatballs! It's perfect for a family dinner, but you can also use it to make a tasty meatloaf or even tiny meatballs for a party. Be sure to check out some of our other great recipes inspired by Oma, like her Classic Homemade Chicken Soup and Oma's Spaghetti.
Related Recipes: Bison Meatballs, Simple Pan Gravy, Can You Freeze Gravy.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Here are a few reasons why you'll love these One Pot Swedish Meatballs:
- Convenience: It's a one-pot meal, so there's less cleanup.
- Speed: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor: The creamy sauce is rich and satisfying.
- Comfort: It's a classic comfort food that everyone will enjoy.
- Versatility: Serve with egg noodles, pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review: Nunnie says, "Made exactly like she said and it is probably the best dish I have ever made!!!"
Here's What You Need
Meatball Ingredients
- ground beef - lean ground beef or ground sirloin.
Next time, try substituting ground turkey or ground bison for a leaner option. - ½ cup breadcrumbs - May substitute cornflakes or crackers.
- large eggs - acts as a binder.
In a hurry? Save yourself some time and substitute pre-made store-bought meatballs.
Sauce and Pasta Ingredients
- all purpose flour - May substitute cornstarch.
- heavy cream - May substitute sour cream, or ½ cup milk
- parmesan cheese (optional) - Parmesan cheese isn't usually in Swedish meatballs, but we think it's a tasty twist.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review: Pat says, "Used bought frozen meatballs, gravy was tasty and quick, served over egg noodles. Nice quick meal!"
Variations
Here are a few ideas to switch up your classic Swedish Meatball recipe:
- Creamy Dijon. Add a tablespoon or two of Dijon mustard to the sauce for a tangy kick.
- Spicy Kick. Stir in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or some Homemade Italian Seasoning or Dry Rub for a spicy twist.
- Mushroom Lovers. Sauté mushrooms before adding them to the sauce for a richer, earthier flavor.
- Protein Choice. Use ground turkey or ground bison for a leaner and healthier option.
- Cheesy Center. Add a small piece of cheese to the center of each meatball before cooking for a cheesy surprise.
- Use this recipe to make a tasty meatloaf or bite-sized meatballs for your next party!
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How to Make One Pot Swedish Meatballs
This One Pot Swedish Meatballs dinner can be ready in 30 minutes. The prep time is around 10 minutes and the total cook time is approximately 20 minutes following these step-by-step instructions. So, you can have this delicious comfort food on the table fast!
First Make The Meatballs
Make them in 3 easy steps:
Step 1. Combine Ingredients. Place all meatball ingredients into a large bowl and mix them together until combined.
Step 2. Form Balls. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, take golf ball size of the meatball mixture and form 18 - 1 inch round balls.
Roll each ball around in the palm of your hand to smooth it into a round shape and set aside on a plate.
Step 3. Fry Them. Heat up a big skillet with some canola oil. Once it's hot, carefully drop in the meatballs and let them brown on both sides. Then, pull them out and set them aside.
Make The Sauce
Step 4. Make A Roux. Put butter into the pan over medium heat and stir it around as it melts. Then add the flour and continue to stir as it bubbles for 3 minutes. This will cook out the taste of the flour.
Step 5. Add Broth. Continue stirring the roux while pouring in the beef broth. As you do this, gently lift the leftover bits and pan juices from frying off of the bottom of the pan and allow them to be incorporated into the roux.
These leftover bits and pan juices are full of flavor and make a great base for the sauce (pan gravy).
See our Simple Pan Gravy for more info on making pan gravy.
Step 6. Add Heavy Cream. Stir in a little bit of heavy cream and season with salt.
Add Meatballs and Pasta
Step 7. Add the Meatballs and Egg Noodles. Toss the meatballs and uncooked noodles into the pot with the sauce. Make sure the noodles are nestled down into the sauce so they cook all the way. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 8 minutes.
Finish
Step 8. Add Parmesan and Parsley. Stir in parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley to finish the creamy sauce. And serve these delicious one pot Swedish meatballs right away. They're best when served hot.
Be sure to check out our other creamy pasta recipes like Classic Alfredo Sauce, Copycat Olive Garden Tortelloni Alfredo, or our insanely delicious Authentic Carbonara.
Helpful Tips
- Flavor Booster. For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard to add a little zing to the sauce.
- Don't Overmix. Overmixing the meat mixture can make them tough. Gently combine the ingredients until just combined.
- Size Matters. Make the meatballs about the size of a golf ball. This will ensure they cook evenly.
- Brown Them Well. Browning the meatballs before adding them to the sauce will give them a nice crust and extra flavor.
- Simmer, Don't Boil. Simmering them in the sauce will keep them tender. Avoid boiling, as this can make them tough.
- Adjust the Creaminess. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch mixed with water and stir until thickened.
- Serve Hot. Swedish meatballs are best served hot, so enjoy them immediately after cooking.
What To Serve With Swedish Meatballs
This one-pot meal has it all. But you can skip adding the egg noodles or pasta and go for one of these other tasty side dish recipes: Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Easy Hashbrown Casserole, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, or other vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
Sauce or pan gravy for Swedish meatballs begins with a butter and flour roux base, then beef broth is added, along with heavy cream. Nutmeg is a traditionally used seasoning. However, Worcestershire sauce and parmesan cheese are common add-ins.
Swedish meatballs have minimal flavor add-ins besides salt & pepper and basic breadcrumbs. The seasonings and spices are added to the sauce or pan gravy.
Italian meatballs have flavor add-ins like garlic, Italian parsley added right in with the meatball mixture.
Keep meatballs from falling apart by adding an egg binder (1 egg to 1 pound of meat) to the meatball mixture. Whisking the egg to combine the yolk and the egg white will help to evenly distribute it into the meatball mixture.
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📖 Recipe
Easy One Pot Swedish Meatballs With Egg Noodles
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion minced
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons canola oil for frying
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
Pasta
- 4 cups egg noodles
Finish
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley fresh, minced
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients. Place all meatball ingredients into a large bowl and mix them together until combined.1 lb ground beef, ¼ cup yellow onion, ½ cup bread crumbs, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ cup water
- Form Meatballs. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, take a small amount of meat and form 18 - 1 inch round balls. Roll each meatball around in the palm of your hand to smooth it into a round shape and set aside on a plate.
- Fry Meatballs. Heat up a big skillet with some canola oil. Once it's hot, carefully drop in the meatballs and let them brown on both sides. Then, pull them out and set them aside.2 tablespoons canola oil
- Make a roux. Put butter into the pan over medium heat and stir it around as it melts. Then add the flour and continue to stir as it bubbles for 3 minutes.4 tablespoons butter, ¼ cup all purpose flour
- Add Broth. Next add beef broth and stir that into the roux until it is bubbling.4 cups beef broth
- Add Heavy Cream. Stir in some heavy cream and season with salt.8 ounces heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt
Add Meatballs and Pasta
- Add the Meatballs and Pasta. Toss the meatballs and uncooked noodles into the pot with the sauce. Make sure the noodles are nestled down into the sauce so they cook all the way. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 8 minutes.4 cups egg noodles
- Add Parmesan and Parsley. Stir in parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley to finish the creamy sauce.1 cup parmesan cheese
Video
Notes
- Don't Overmix. Overmixing the meat mixture can make the meatballs tough. Gently combine the ingredients until just combined.
- Brown Them Well. Browning the meatballs before adding them to the sauce will give them a nice crust and extra flavor.
- Simmer, Don't Boil. Simmering the meatballs in the sauce will keep them tender. Avoid boiling, as this can make them tough.
Kayla
Great recipe!
Seanna Borrows
Thanks Kayla! Appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
Megan
This is THE BEST recipe for Swedish meatballs! I love that it is made in one pot! YUM!!
Seanna Borrows
Thank you so much Megan!
Sarah
This dish will be on rotation from now on in this house! Ended up using frozen meatballs that I had on hand and it made this easy dish even easier! Perfect and delicious.
Seanna Borrows
Thanks so much Sarah! What a great idea to use frozen meatballs. So glad you took the time to let me know. I appreciate you and hope you'll try some of our other tasty recipes!
Janet
how many people does this recipe feed?
Seanna Borrows
Hi there Janet, This recipe serves 6 people. ~ Seanna
Suzy Barrows
Oh my goodness, what a great recipe! We had it for dinner last night, everyone loved it. We used egg noodles and it was a recipe will make again and again.
Seanna Borrows
Thanks Suzy! So glad you like it!
Russ B
Great Sunday meal!!
Seanna Borrows
Thanks Russ. Total easy comfort food!