Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe

Introduction

Warm up with this cozy Swedish Meatball Soup, a comforting blend of tender meatballs, creamy broth, and hearty noodles or potatoes. Perfect for chilly days, this soup brings rich Scandinavian flavors right to your kitchen in just under an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or pork (or a mix)
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp (28 g) butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 tbsp (24 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (200 g) egg noodles or diced potatoes
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Roll the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden all over. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the beef broth to avoid lumps.
5. Step 5: Bring the soup to a simmer. Add nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Gently add the browned meatballs and the egg noodles or diced potatoes. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until noodles or potatoes are tender and meatballs are cooked through.
6. Step 6: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
7. Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute egg noodles with diced potatoes for a heartier texture.
• Add peas or green beans for extra color and flavor.
• For a thicker soup, increase the flour in the roux or use a cornstarch slurry.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use all beef or all pork for the meatballs?

Yes, you can use all ground beef or all ground pork depending on your preference. A mix of both provides balanced flavor and texture, but each works well on its own.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the meatballs and soup base in advance, then combine and simmer just before serving to keep the meatballs tender and fresh.

Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

This Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a creamy broth filled with aromatic vegetables and egg noodles or potatoes. Infused with warm spices like nutmeg and enriched with heavy cream, this Scandinavian-inspired soup is perfect for chilly days and family meals.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Swedish, Scandinavian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or pork (or a mix)
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp (28 g) butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 tbsp (24 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups (200 g) egg noodles or diced potatoes
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well incorporated. Roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and set them aside.
2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning them until all sides are golden brown. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the Soup: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
4. Add Broth and Seasoning: Gradually pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to season the soup.
5. Simmer with Meatballs and Noodles or Potatoes: Gently add the browned meatballs to the pot along with the egg noodles or diced potatoes. Continue simmering for 10-12 minutes or until the noodles or potatoes are tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
6. Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the soup to become creamy and heated through. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Notes

• You can substitute the egg noodles with diced potatoes for a heartier, gluten-free option.
• Feel free to add extra vegetables like peas or green beans to enhance flavor and add color.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, increase the amount of flour in the roux or add a cornstarch slurry to reach desired consistency.
• The meatballs can be made with all beef, all pork, or a mixture depending on preference.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when browning meatballs to ensure even cooking and proper browning.

Keywords: Swedish meatball soup, creamy meatball soup, hearty soup recipe, Scandinavian soup, comfort food, meatballs with noodles, cozy winter soup