Categories: Health

Healthy Swedish Meatballs

Most weeks I try to do a weekly meal prep day. This helps me get ahead and have time for other things (like taking care of 6 kids!). Swedish meatballs can be a good make-ahead recipe for anyone with hungry mouths to feed. They’re high in protein and cooked in a flavorful creamy sauce.

The Best Swedish Meatballs

What do you think of when you hear Swedish meatballs? Maybe you think of Sunday dinner at Grandma’s or Ikea. They’ve been a staple in Sweden for hundreds of years. Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with lingonberry jam. The more Americanized version instead features a creamy gravy made from a cornstarch or all-purpose flour roux.

The meatballs are made with a mix of ground pork and ground beef with a hint of ground nutmeg and served over egg noodles. Other ingredients can include everything from Worcestershire sauce to Dijon mustard.

A Fresh Twist

My take on the classic Swedish meatballs is a little different, but just as flavorful. They use all ground beef and are flavored with seasoned breadcrumbs and minced parsley instead of nutmeg. And instead of heavy cream, I use a mix of cream cheese and high-protein Greek yogurt. They’re the ultimate comfort food!

Some recipes use the crockpot or slow cooker but I prefer to make these on the stove. The kids are I will eat the entire recipe in one sitting, so be sure to double or triple it if you want leftovers. If you want to meal prep, then make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze for later. You can reheat the frozen meatballs on the stove and once they’re thawed, simmer them in the cream sauce.

The sour cream and Greek yogurt add more of a tart flavor, but it balances out with enough salt and pepper.

What to Serve With Swedish Meatballs

These are most commonly served with egg noodles but they’re not necessary. My family loves them with mashed potatoes. Try them with these creamy garlic mashed cauliflower “potatoes” for a lower-carb version. You could even try them with spaghetti squash.

Swedish Meatballs Recipe

This healthy twist on classic Swedish Meatballs is tender and flavorful. They’re simmered in a cream sauce for a comforting meal. Perfect over mashed potatoes or served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

1 TBSP olive oil
1 small onion (finely minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
¼ cup fresh parsley (minced)
1 pound ground beef
1 large egg
¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs (gluten-free or homemade)
½ tsp salt (Kosher)
⅛ tsp ground black pepper
2 cups beef broth (reduced sodium)
3 oz cream cheese (reduced fat)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant.
Stir in minced parsley and cook for an additional minute. Remove the skillet from heat and let the mixture cool.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooled onion-garlic mixture, egg, seasoned breadcrumbs, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix the meatball ingredients well.
Shape the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.
In the same skillet, brown the meatballs on all sides over medium-high heat, using additional olive oil if needed. Cook until fully cooked through.
Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Pour beef broth or beef stock into the skillet and simmer.
Add cream cheese to the simmering broth, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
Stir in Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until well combined.
Return cooked meatballs to the skillet, coating them in the creamy Swedish meatball sauce.
Simmer the homemade meatballs over low heat until heated through.
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.