Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport you straight to the cozy kitchens of Sweden with these irresistibly rich and creamy meatballs. Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs swimming in a luxurious, velvety sauce that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. This isn't just another meatball recipe - it's a gastronomic experience that combines traditional Swedish flavors with pure, mouth-watering comfort food magic that will elevate your dinner game to a whole new level!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Swedish
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, milk, egg, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Gently form the meat mixture into small, uniform meatballs about 1-
- 5 inches in diameter. Ensure they are compact but not overly dense to maintain a tender texture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Carefully place the meatballs in the skillet, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides, rotating them carefully to ensure even browning. This should take approximately 6-8 minutes. The goal is a golden-brown exterior that seals in the juices.
- Once browned, remove the meatballs and set aside on a clean plate. In the same skillet, pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream and soy sauce. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken and become smooth and glossy.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, gently coating them in the creamy sauce. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked through and heated.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt and pepper. The sauce should be rich, creamy, and have a subtle depth of flavor from the soy sauce and nutmeg.
- Serve hot, ideally over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or steamed rice. Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and freshness.
Tips
- Mix the meat mixture gently to keep the meatballs tender - overmixing can make them tough.
- Use a light hand when forming meatballs to prevent them from becoming dense and compact.
- Brown the meatballs in batches to ensure they get a perfect golden crust without steaming.
- The secret to an amazing sauce is scraping up those delicious browned bits from the pan - they add incredible depth of flavor.
- Let the sauce simmer slowly to develop rich, complex flavors and achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
- For an authentic touch, serve over egg noodles or traditional lingonberry jam on the side.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little extra broth; if too thin, let it reduce a bit longer.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 110mg
