This Swedish Meatball Soup is a warm and comforting dish that combines the classic flavors of Swedish meatballs with a creamy, savory broth. Tender meatballs, egg noodles, and a rich, flavorful soup make this a perfect meal for a cozy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Satisfying: A complete meal with meatballs, noodles, and a creamy broth.
- Classic Flavors: Captures the essence of Swedish meatballs in a soup format.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Swedish Meatball Soup:
Meatballs:
- Lean ground beef: For the base of the meatballs.
- Plain bread crumbs: To bind the meatballs.
- Large egg: Also for binding.
- Minced onion: For flavor.
- Minced garlic: For aromatic intensity.
- Dried parsley: For herbal notes.
- Ground allspice: Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty flavor.
- Pepper: To taste.
- Salt: To taste.
- Olive oil: For cooking the meatballs.
Soup:
- Butter: For sautéing and richness.
- Diced onion: For flavor.
- Minced garlic: For aromatic intensity.
- All-purpose flour: To thicken the soup.
- Beef broth: Forms the base of the soup.
- Half and half: For creaminess.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth.
- Dijon mustard: Adds tanginess.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Egg noodles: For a hearty addition.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Swedish Meatball Soup
Step 1: Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, minced onion, minced garlic, dried parsley, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Scoop the meatball mixture into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized pieces and roll into balls, about 20 meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the cooked meatballs from the pot and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Soup
- Returning to the same pot, add the butter and diced onion. Cook until the onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk the all-purpose flour into the onion mixture to create a paste.
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth and half and half. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Step 3: Cook the Noodles and Combine
- Add the egg noodles to the pot and cook until the noodles are nearly done, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the meatballs back to the pot and continue to cook on low heat until the noodles are tender.
Step 4: Serve
- Remove the soup from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of the ingredients, the better the flavor of the soup.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Overcooked noodles will be mushy.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Make it Creamier: Add a splash of heavy cream or sour cream at the end for extra creaminess.
How to Serve
- Main Course: Serve this Swedish Meatball Soup as a hearty and satisfying main course.
- Side Dish: Pair it with crusty bread or a side salad.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley or dill.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Swedish Meatball Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup, but the texture of the noodles may change. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes, you can use other types of noodles, such as rotini or penne.
Can I make this soup without cream?
Yes, you can use milk instead of half and half, but the soup will be less creamy.
Can I add vegetables to the soup?
Yes, you can add other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or mushrooms.
PrintSwedish Meatball Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish-inspired
Description
This Swedish Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty meal that combines tender meatballs with a creamy, flavorful broth. Seasoned meatballs are cooked to perfection, then simmered in a rich soup with egg noodles, creating a satisfying and delicious dish.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Soup:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces egg noodles
Instructions
Meatballs:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, minced onion, minced garlic, dried parsley, allspice, nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Scoop the meatball mixture into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls, about 20 meatballs.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked meatballs from the pot and set aside.
Soup:
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the flour to create a paste.
- Add Broth and Cream: Slowly whisk in the beef broth and half and half. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cook Noodles: Add the egg noodles to the pot and cook until nearly done, about 5-8 minutes.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the meatballs back to the pot and continue to cook on low heat until the noodles are tender.
- Serve: Remove the soup from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or pork instead of ground beef.
- For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of half and half.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences.
- Make sure to cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides to seal in the juices.
- If you don’t have egg noodles, you can use another type of pasta, such as wide noodles or rotini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 180mg