The Best Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs are a classic dish known for their tender, flavorful meatballs and creamy sauce. This recipe features a blend of minced beef seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs, then simmered in a rich and creamy sauce. The result is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound minced beef
• 1⁄4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground spices
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Sauce:

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, mix together minced beef, Panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, ground spices, ground nutmeg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and egg until well combined. Form the mixture into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs.
2. Cook the Meatballs: In a large frying pan, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and flour. Whisk together until the flour is browned and fragrant. Slowly pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Add Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, then simmer the sauce until it starts to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked meatballs to the pan with the sauce, coating them evenly. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the Swedish meatballs over egg noodles or rice noodles for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of allspice to the meatball mixture.
• Be sure to brown the flour well when making the sauce to avoid a raw flour taste.
• To make the sauce extra creamy, you can substitute some or all of the beef broth with additional heavy cream.
• Garnish the finished dish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.