Classic Baked Swedish Meatballs

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 08/07/19
Swedish Meatballs in bowl
Melanie Acevedo/Getty Images
  • Total: 75 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 55 mins
  • Servings: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
689 Calories
45g Fat
20g Carbs
50g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 689
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 45g 58%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 199mg 66%
Sodium 1189mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Protein 50g
Calcium 174mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These flavorful Swedish meatballs are started on the stovetop and then finished in the oven. The meatballs are lightly spiced with a little nutmeg and served in a tasty creamy gravy made with beef broth and cream.

Light cream or half-and-half may be used for the flavorful gravy. Serve the easy meatballs with potatoes, rice, or pasta. Lingonberry jam is traditionally served with Swedish meatballs.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs (about 3 slices bread)
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion or 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or allspice
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed beef broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half or light cream

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine bread crumbs, onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg or allspice, and 3/4 cup milk in a large mixing bowl. Let milk soak into crumbs for a few minutes. Gently stir in ground beef until well blended; form into 1-inch meatballs.

  3. Heat the oven to 325 F.

  4. Brown the meatballs in butter and oil in a large skillet or sauté pan; remove them with a slotted spoon to a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.

  5. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of drippings; stir flour into drippings. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Stir in beef broth and cream. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and boils for a minute. Pour over Swedish meatballs in baking dish.

  6. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes.

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