Description
Swedish Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender meatballs simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth. Easy to prepare with simple pantry staples, this soup delivers rich, warming flavors perfect for cozy dinners. Adaptable and family-friendly, it offers a delicious combination of savory meatballs, aromatic seasonings, and a luscious creamy base that will satisfy all palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free flour if preferred)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (or substitute: half-and-half, whole milk, or dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Additional pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced or 1/2 cup pearl barley
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef and pork with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Combine gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and set aside.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs in batches, cooking until they’re golden brown on all sides. Remove the browned meatballs and place them on a plate to rest while you prepare the soup base.
- Make the Soup Base: In the same pot, add more butter if needed and sprinkle in the flour to create a roux. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and starts to turn golden. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Meatballs in Broth: Return the browned meatballs to the pot and allow them to cook gently in the broth for about 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked through and tender. If using potatoes or pearl barley, add them with the meatballs to cook thoroughly.
- Add Cream and Final Touches: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, allowing the soup to become rich and smooth. Season with additional salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg if desired. Finish with freshly chopped parsley or dill sprinkled on top for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Mix Meat Gently: Overmixing can make meatballs tough, so combine ingredients lightly for the best texture.
- Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs hold moisture better and enhance the meatballs’ tenderness.
- Don’t Skip Browning: Browning the meatballs before simmering adds an extra layer of flavor and seals in the juices.
- Simmer Slowly: Cooking the meatballs gently in broth prevents them from falling apart and keeps them tender.
- Adjust Creaminess: For a lighter soup, reduce the amount of cream or substitute with milk-based options.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free flour for thickening to make this recipe gluten free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Swedish meatball soup, creamy meatball soup, comfort soup, easy soup recipe, gluten-free meatball soup, hearty dinner soup
