Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

Made with tender, juicy meatballs, hearty egg noodles, and a deliciously creamy sauce, this Swedish Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying, and melts in your mouth delicious!

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Homemade Swedish Meatball Soup

There’s nothing more comforting than perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs. Put those meatballs in a deliciously creamy sauce with Kluski egg noodles, and you have a perfect weekday meal! If you’re looking for a hearty soup to warm you up on a cold winter’s day, you just can’t beat this Swedish meatball soup.

Swedish meatball soup is similar to the classic Swedish meatballs, except they are swimming around in a delicious soup. The soup tastes like the sauce in traditional Swedish meatballs but slightly thinner and with noodles added in.

Why You’ll Love this Meatball Soup Recipe:

  • HOMEMADE MEATBALLS: Sure, frozen meatballs are good, but there is nothing quite as delectable as homemade meatballs!
  • CREAMY BEEF SAUCE: Made with beef bouillon, butter, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and plenty of seasonings, this sauce is to die for.
  • EASY TO MAKE: Although it may seem complicated, this Swedish meatball soup is quite easy to make.

Whether you are looking for something different or you want a hearty soup to warm you up on a cold winter’s day, this Swedish meatball soup is warm, comforting and delicious!

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

How to Make Swedish Meatball Soup

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Combine your breadcrumbs, milk, cream, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley into a large bowl.
  2. Melt your butter on a skillet and saute the minced onion until translucent.
  3. Then, add the minced garlic and saute another 30-seconds.
  4. Transfer the onions and garlic to the breadcrumb mixture.
  5. Add the ground beef and ground sausage to the bread mixture. Mix everything together well.
  6. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
  7. Bake your meatballs for 12-15 minutes.
  8. Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the flour and whisk well.
  9. Add beef broth, chicken broth, cream, sour cream, bouillon granules, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper to the roux. Whisk well.
  10. Bring the roux to a boil over medium heat, and then add the noodles.
  11. Bring it back to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer until the noodles are al dente.
  12. Next, add your meatballs and simmer until the noodles are cooked.
  13. Add the chopped parsley and gently stir your soup.
  14. Serve and garnish with dollops of Lingonberry jam, sour cream, and a sprinkle of additional chopped fresh parsley.
Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)
Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

What are Swedish meatballs?

Swedish meatballs are a little different from regular meatballs. The main difference is that they are made with a 50-50 ratio of ground pork AND ground beef. Regular meatballs just use ground beef. Additionally, Swedish meatballs tend to be smaller in size making them perfect to throw into a soup or casserole. They are made with Swedish spices like nutmeg and allspice for a truly divine flavor that can’t be beat.

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes, you can use frozen Swedish meatballs for this recipe instead, but from my experience, it isn’t nearly as good as homemade meatballs. Just follow the directions for heating your frozen meatballs and use the rest of the recipe to make your sauce and noodles.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the Swedish meatballs ahead of time and store them in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3-months. Or, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-days.

Can I freeze this soup?

You can freeze the meatballs and sauce without the noodles with no problem. I would freeze the meatballs and sauce separately. However, if you freeze this soup with the noodles, your noodles may become mushy and unappetizing when you are ready to reheat it.

Serving Suggestions

Swedish meatball soup is packed with protein and noodles for the perfect entree. It’s perfect on its own, or with a few delicious sides. Here are a few side ideas to try:

  • Homemade Crescent Rolls
  • Cucumber Salad
  • Fried Cabbage and Bacon
  • The Best Broccoli Salad

Although a little time consuming, this recipe is super easy to make. It makes great leftovers and freezes well.

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)
Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

Tips!

  • Don’t overmix the meat. If you overmix the meatballs, they will come out tough. You just want to mix enough that everything is fully incorporated.
  • Use a cookie scoop. To get perfectly round meatballs, use a 1-inch cookie scoop.
  • Al dente noodles are noodles that are almost done just not quite mushy.

You can even double this recipe so that you can freeze it for later. Or make a double batch and give the second portion to family or friends. They will love this comforting soup!

How is this recipe different from classic Swedish meatballs?

Classic Swedish meatballs are still made from scratch and cooked in a delicious creamy broth sauce. However, this recipe is a little different because you are adding egg noodles to the recipe and making it into more of a soup. Thus, you won’t have to worry about thickening the sauce.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! However, that’s a whole different recipe because you’ll be adding the ingredients at different times. You’ll still cook the meatballs first, but then you’ll add the sauce and noodles to the slow cooker. Follow this Slow-Cooker Swedish Meatball soup recipe to make it in your crock pot.

More Cozy Soup Recipes We Love

  • Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Meatball Soup
  • Hash Brown Potato Soup
  • Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
  • Italian Wedding Soup
Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

This Swedish meatball soup is the ultimate comfort meal. If you’re looking to impress the family with a delicious meal, this is the recipe for you.

More Homemade Meatball Recipes to Try:

  • Meatball Parmesan
  • Sweet and Spicy co*cktail Meatballs
  • Grandma’s Best Meatballs
  • Grape Jelly Meatballs
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatballs
  • Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe

4.65 from 54 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 30 minutes minutes

Cook: 45 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Serves8

Print Rate

Save Shop our store

Made with tender, juicy meatballs, hearty egg noodles, and a deliciously creamy sauce, this Swedish Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying, and melts in your mouth delicious!

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • cup regular breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 large egg
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion minced
  • 1 large clove garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground chicken or pork
  • pounds ground chuck

For the Sauce & Noodles

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Beef instant bouillon granules
  • tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt if needed
  • 8 ounces egg noodles medium, narrow or Kluski egg noodles (1 standard package)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

To Garnish

  • Lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Sour cream

Instructions

For the Meatballs

  • Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and preheat oven to 400°F. Cover 2 large baking sheets with foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.

  • In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, milk, cream, egg, salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and parsley. Set the mixture aside to allow the milk to soak into the breadcrumbs, at least 10 minutes.

    ⅓ cup regular breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 large egg, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Transfer the onion/garlic mixture to the breadcrumb mixture.

    1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon oil, ½ medium yellow onion, 1 large clove garlic

  • Once the breadcrumb mixture is ready, add the ground chuck and chicken. Mix well (but don’t over-mix or meatballs will be tough) using a wooden spoon.

    1 pound ground chicken or pork, 1½ pounds ground chuck

  • Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (or use a 1-inch scoop) and place on the prepared sheet pan 1 inch apart.

  • Bake meatballs for about 12-15 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.

  • Remove from the oven and place the meatballs on a paper towel-lined baking sheet until ready to use.

For the Sauce & Noodles

  • While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce.

  • Make a roux by melting the butter in a large skillet. Add the flour to the butter and whisk well. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking often, until mixture is creamy and turns a dark golden brown.

    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • Add beef broth, chicken broth, cream, sour cream, bouillon granules, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Taste, then season with salt, only if needed.

    3 cups low-sodium beef broth, 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups heavy cream, ¾ cup sour cream, 1½ tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Salt, 1 teaspoon Beef instant bouillon granules

  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, and add the noodles. Restore the soup to a boil and reduce heat to low to simmer until noodles are al dente.

    8 ounces egg noodles

  • Add the meatballs, and simmer, stirring gently & often, until noodles are cooked through and soup has reduced to desired consistency. (See recipe note.)

  • Add chopped parsley and stir gently.

    2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  • Serve and garnish with dollops of Lingonberry jam, sour cream, and a sprinkle of additional chopped fresh parsley.

    Lingonberry jam or cranberry sauce, Chopped fresh parsley, Sour cream

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • For a Thicker Soup: Before adding the meatballs, mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold milk or cold water and add it to the sauce, stir over medium-high heat until mixture thickens then reduce heat to simmer.
  • Quantity: The meatball portion of this recipe makes about 60-70 (1-inch ) meatballs. Add as many meatballs as you like to the soup and save any extras for a quick snack or meal.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 827kcal (41%) Carbohydrates: 34g (11%) Protein: 36g (72%) Fat: 61g (94%) Saturated Fat: 31g (194%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 21g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 272mg (91%) Sodium: 997mg (43%) Potassium: 1015mg (29%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 1484IU (30%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 137mg (14%) Iron: 4mg (22%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is Swedish meatball sauce made of? ›

The sauce for Swedish Meatballs is a creamy gravy that is made with butter, beef broth/stock, thickened with flour and made creamy with cream. But the most important flavour for the a really good creamy gravy is the pan drippings after searing the meatballs.

Why are meatballs important to Sweden? ›

The success of Swedish meatballs has had a profound economic impact on local businesses and the food industry. The dish's popularity has created a thriving market for local meat and ingredient producers, sustaining their businesses and bolstering the economy.

What to serve with Swedish meatballs? ›

Mashed Potatoes - The creamy gravy on Swedish Meatballs is perfect with potatoes! Egg Noodles - Spaghetti isn't a bad idea either. Green veggies - I love to serve green peas with Swedish meatballs. Roasted Vegetables - Skip the starch and serve the meatballs with a combination of roasted vegetables.

What goes well with meatballs? ›

10 Side Dishes to Pair With Meatballs Besides Spaghetti
  • Jen's Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  • Tasty Spicy Rice Pilaf.
  • Fried Cabbage and Egg Noodles.
  • Peperonata.
  • Peanut Butter Noodles.
  • Tasty BBQ Corn on the Cob.
  • Disney's Ratatouille.
  • 8. ' Chinese Buffet' Green Beans.
Jul 30, 2019

Why do Swedish meatballs taste so good? ›

The Seasoning

While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

What ethnicity is Swedish meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs, the signature national dish, are really Turkish. The country's national Twitter account made the announcement in a tweet this week. “Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe King Charles XII brought home from Turkey in the early 18th century,” the tweet said.

What is the difference between Swedish meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian Meatballs vs Swedish Meatballs: Swedish Meatballs are typically smaller in size than Italian meatballs and they are usually made with a 50-50 ratio of ground pork and ground beef.

How do Swedish people eat Swedish meatballs? ›

Meatballs are as quintessentially Swedish as it gets. In their most traditional form Swedish meatballs ('köttbullar') are made of ground pork and beef, cream, egg and onion, and are served with creamy mashed potatoes, a thick, brown gravy, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber.

Did Vikings eat Swedish meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs aren't just from Ikea, they were also a popular Viking dish.

What alcohol goes with Swedish meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs

The cream sauce for these lightly spiced meatballs makes them especially delicious with silky-textured Pinot Noir (like those from Burgundy or Oregon). If you prefer white wine, a lightly oaked Chardonnay or a richer-style Austrian Riesling is a great choice.

What do Italians serve meatballs on? ›

True to tradition, these meatballs are homemade and nonna-approved. Best served on top of a heaping plate of spaghetti.

Are Swedish meatballs sweet to eat? ›

Traditionally, Swedish meatballs are made with pork and beef, cream, egg, and onion, and are served alongside mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and tangy pickly cucumbers. It's the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy.

Are meatballs a healthy meal? ›

Can Meatballs Be Healthy? Absolutely! While traditional Italian-inspired meatballs are typically made with fattier meats and breadcrumbs (which are delicious!) they don't have to be if you want to keep things on the lighter side.

What makes meatballs stick together better? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

Can I put frozen meatballs in sauce? ›

Absolutely! You can cook raw frozen meatballs in sauce on the stovetop. Simply add the frozen meatballs to a saucepan or skillet, pour your desired sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low to medium heat until the meatballs are cooked through. Stir occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.

What is Ikea meatball sauce made of? ›

Iconic Swedish cream sauce: Melt 40g of butter in a pan. Whisk in 40g of plain flour and stir for 2 mins. Add 300ml of bouillon (or consommé) and continue to stir. Add 150ml double cream, 2 tsp of soy sauce and 1 tsp of (Dijon) mustard.

Are Swedish meatballs pink inside? ›

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pinch off about 1 1/2 tablespoon meat mixture per meatball; form into balls. Place meatballs into the skillet and cook, turning often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Insides of meatballs will still be pink.

What's the difference between Swedish and Norwegian meatballs? ›

Norwegian recipes are made with all beef, while some Swedish recipes also use pork. Norwegian meatballs tend to be larger and flatter than their Swedish cousins.

Do Swedish meatballs contain sour cream? ›

It's All About the Sauce

Flavored with nutmeg and cardamom, these little beef-and-pork meatballs are best served with a Swedish meatball sauce—a rich roux-based and beef stock gravy, spiked with sour cream and a little lingonberry jelly.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5903

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.