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Creamy Swedish Meatballs Recipe Easy Homemade Gravy for Dinner

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Tender Swedish meatballs in a creamy, rich homemade gravy, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and delivers authentic flavor with a comforting texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor and fat content)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork (adds moisture and tenderness)
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese, small-curd
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped and sautéed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the small onion and sauté in a teaspoon of butter or oil over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, cottage cheese, sautéed onion, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, nutmeg, white pepper, and a pinch of salt. Gently mix until just combined.
  3. Wet your hands with cold water and shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 20–24 pieces.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of butter or oil. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking for 4–5 minutes per side until evenly browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux.
  6. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Allow the gravy to thicken slightly over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the gravy. Cover and simmer gently for 10–12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thick and creamy.
  9. Serve meatballs and gravy over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball ingredients to avoid tough meatballs. Use cottage cheese for moisture and tenderness. Brown meatballs in batches without overcrowding to prevent breaking. Slowly cook the roux to avoid raw flour taste. If gravy thickens too much, whisk in broth or cream to loosen. Simmer meatballs gently covered to keep moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: Swedish meatballs, creamy gravy, homemade meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

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