Swedish Meatballs Simple Recipe

Who says healthy food has to be boring or bland? I believe the most nourishing meals are also the most exciting. This Swedish Meatballs Simple Recipe is a perfect example. It’s packed with cozy, vibrant flavor and real, good-for-you ingredients. If you’re looking for other healthy meatball ideas, you must try these Spinach Turkey Meatballs.

We often think of comfort food as something heavy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I want to show you how a classic dish can be both incredibly delicious and make you feel amazing. Let’s make a meal that warms your soul and powers your body.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: Swedish
• Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4 (as a main)

Why This Dish is Secretly Good for You

This dish is a wonderful balance of protein, healthy fats, and flavor. Let’s dig into what makes it a feel-good choice. Each ingredient brings something special to your table.

The lean ground meat gives you lasting energy and helps build strong muscles. Using olive oil and a touch of butter adds heart-healthy fats. These fats help your body absorb all the good vitamins from the herbs and spices.

Fresh parsley and allspice are more than just flavor. They bring antioxidants to your meal. When you serve it with a side of lingonberry sauce, you get a bright, tart fruit boost. It’s a complete, satisfying plate.

My Favorite “Healthy Swap” Ingredients

I love making classic recipes work better for our everyday lives. A few smart swaps keep all the creamy comfort. They also add a nutritious punch.

For the meatball sauce, I often use full-fat plain Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. It gives the same rich, creamy texture. You also get a big dose of protein and gut-friendly probiotics. For another dish with an incredibly creamy and flavorful sauce, check out this recipe for Marry Me Chicken Meatballs.

I always choose a good, low-sodium broth. It lets you control the salt level. For a touch of sweetness in the lingonberry sauce, a bit of pure maple syrup is my go-to. It’s a natural, unrefined option that tastes wonderful.

The Full “Feel-Good” Ingredient List

Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the first step to a great meal. Here is everything you’ll need. I promise it’s all straightforward.

Recipe

Swedish Meatballs Simple Recipe

Make Swedish Meatballs Simple Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Olyvia Thompson

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 40 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Full “Feel-Good” Ingredient List

• For the Meatballs:1 lb lean ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork) 1/3 cup finely minced yellow onion 1/4 cup whole-grain breadcrumbs or panko 1 large egg 1/4 cup milk (any kind) 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1/2 tsp ground allspice 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 lb lean ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/3 cup finely minced yellow onion
• 1/4 cup whole-grain breadcrumbs or panko
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• For the Creamy Gravy:2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend) 2 cups low-sodium beef broth 1/2 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend)
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For Serving:1/2 cup lingonberry jam or sauce Fresh parsley for garnish Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or cucumber salad
• 1/2 cup lingonberry jam or sauce
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or cucumber salad

My Clean & Simple Cooking Method

1

Start by making the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, parsley, allspice, pepper, and salt. Use your hands to mix it gently but thoroughly. Over-mixing can make the meatballs tough.

2

Shape the mixture into small, even balls. I like to use a tablespoon to keep them all about the same size. You should get around 20-24 meatballs. Place them on a plate or baking sheet.

3

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the meatballs in batches for about 8-10 minutes. Turn them often so they brown nicely on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through yet. Remove them to a clean plate.

4

Now, let’s make the creamy gravy. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes. This cooks the flour taste out and makes a roux.

5

Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking. This prevents lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.

6

Take the skillet off the heat. This next step is key! Stir in the Greek yogurt or sour cream and Worcestershire sauce. Adding it off the heat keeps the sauce creamy and prevents curdling.

7

Carefully add the meatballs back into the warm gravy. Place the skillet back over low heat for 5-7 minutes. This finishes cooking the meatballs and lets them soak up all that delicious flavor. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Swedish Meatballs Simple Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Calories: ~380

Protein: ~28g

Carbohydrates: ~18g

Fat: ~22g

Fiber: ~1g

Sugar: ~8g (primarily from lingonberry)

Did You Make This?

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• For the Meatballs:
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1/3 cup finely minced yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup whole-grain breadcrumbs or panko
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
• For the Creamy Gravy:
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend)
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For Serving:
  • 1/2 cup lingonberry jam or sauce
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or cucumber salad

My Clean & Simple Cooking Method

This process is easy and fun. Just follow these steps for perfect, juicy meatballs every time. You’ll have dinner ready in no time.

1. Start by making the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, parsley, allspice, pepper, and salt. Use your hands to mix it gently but thoroughly. Over-mixing can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape the mixture into small, even balls. I like to use a tablespoon to keep them all about the same size. You should get around 20-24 meatballs. Place them on a plate or baking sheet.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the meatballs in batches for about 8-10 minutes. Turn them often so they brown nicely on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through yet. Remove them to a clean plate.
4. Now, let’s make the creamy gravy. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes. This cooks the flour taste out and makes a roux.
5. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking. This prevents lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
6. Take the skillet off the heat. This next step is key! Stir in the Greek yogurt or sour cream and Worcestershire sauce. Adding it off the heat keeps the sauce creamy and prevents curdling.
7. Carefully add the meatballs back into the warm gravy. Place the skillet back over low heat for 5-7 minutes. This finishes cooking the meatballs and lets them soak up all that delicious flavor. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

How to Meal Prep This for the Week

This recipe is a fantastic make-ahead option. A little planning gives you healthy meals all week long. It’s a true time-saver for busy days.

You can cook the meatballs and gravy completely. Let the whole dish cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth.

For freezer meals, I pack the cooled meatballs and gravy together. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can also freeze just the cooked, plain meatballs. They’re perfect for quick appetizer recipes or pasta later.

Nutrition Notes

This is a general breakdown for one serving (about 5 meatballs with gravy). Remember, your exact numbers will depend on your specific ingredients.

• Calories: ~380
• Protein: ~28g
• Carbohydrates: ~18g
• Fat: ~22g
• Fiber: ~1g
• Sugar: ~8g (primarily from lingonberry)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Absolutely! This is one of my favorite party food ideas. You can keep the cooked meatballs warm in a slow cooker with the gravy on the “warm” setting. Just give it a stir occasionally. Serve with toothpicks and a bowl of lingonberry sauce for dipping.

What can I use if I can’t find lingonberry?

No problem at all. Lingonberry has a unique tart-sweet taste. A good substitute is whole-berry cranberry sauce, or even a tart red currant jelly. They give you that same bright, fruity contrast that pairs so well with the rich meatballs.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

It’s very easy! Simply use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs for the meatballs. For the gravy, use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Make sure your broth and Worcestershire sauce are also gluten-free brands.

I hope this recipe shows you how vibrant and satisfying healthy cooking can be. It’s all about using real ingredients and enjoying the process. This dish is perfect for a quiet family dinner or for sharing with friends. For another simple, cozy dinner that’s sure to please, you’ll love this Creamy Garlic Chicken.

When you make it, I would love to hear how it turned out for you. Did your family love it? What did you serve it with? Your stories and tips make this community so special. I hope you love how this delicious meal makes you feel! Please leave a comment and a rating below!