Name: Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 1 12 oz package egg noodles (optional); 1/4 cup butter; 1/4 cup flour; 2 cups beef broth; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste); 30 frozen meatballs

Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe brings that classic comfort food vibe straight to your table in just a snap. The richness of the sauce combined with tender, savory meatballs makes it an absolute crowd-pleaser that's surprisingly simple to prepare and always hits the spot.

A white pan filled with many brown meatballs sitting in a thick, creamy light brown sauce. The sauce surrounds and covers the meatballs partially, with some areas showing slightly browned edges of the sauce near the pan. The pan rests on a white marbled surface, and the meatballs are shiny and textured with a cooked, slightly crispy outer layer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate—rich, creamy, and perfectly satisfying. I’m telling you, it’s one of those quick meals that somehow tastes like it took all day to make. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back for more, especially because it’s just so forgiving and flexible.

Quick and simple: It comes together in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Frozen meatballs shortcut: Using frozen ones means less fuss but zero sacrifice in flavor.
Velvety creamy sauce: The sauce is luscious but uses basic pantry ingredients you likely already have.
Versatile serving options: Whether over noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice, it’s a comforting meal everyone loves.

A close-up image shows many small browned meatballs covered in a smooth light brown sauce with specks of black pepper. The meatballs are round with a slightly crispy texture in some spots. A wooden spoon lifts one meatball, coated in the creamy sauce, from a white bowl. The sauce has a thick and shiny texture that envelops the meatballs evenly. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe lies in how simple ingredients combine to deliver such incredible flavor and texture. Each part plays its role—from the butter and flour creating a rich roux, to the beef broth and cream bringing smoothness and depth.

Flat lay of fresh uncooked egg noodles arranged neatly, a few small cubes of creamy pale yellow butter on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth white flour, a small white bowl with rich golden-brown beef broth, another small white bowl holding thick heavy cream, a tiny white bowl containing glossy dark Worcestershire sauce, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of freshly ground black peppercorns next to a small heap of coarse sea salt crystals, and a cluster of raw beef meatballs with a natural pinkish-red hue, placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen meatballs: Choosing frozen saves time and prevents the mess of making them from scratch, while still tasting delicious once simmered in sauce.
Butter: Acts as the base for our sauce’s roux, adding richness and helping thicken the sauce.
Flour: Mixed with butter to create the roux, it thickens the sauce to the perfect creamy consistency.
Beef broth: Adds savory depth to the sauce—homemade or store-bought works fine.
Heavy cream: Gives the sauce that silky, luxurious texture everyone loves in Swedish meatballs.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a subtle umami kick and complexity without overpowering.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing flavors; season to taste.
Egg noodles (optional): Traditional pairing for meatballs, but mashed potatoes or rice work wonderfully too.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to adapt to your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to tweak the sauce or the meatballs—you can really make it your own.

Variation: I often swap out the beef broth for mushroom broth to give the sauce an earthier note, which adds a fun twist to this classic.
Dietary tweaks: For a lighter version, try half and half in place of heavy cream, or use turkey meatballs if you prefer leaner meat.
Seasonal switch: Add fresh herbs like dill or parsley at the end for a fresh pop of color and flavor that brightens the dish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Start with the noodles (or your favorite base)

I like to cook the egg noodles first because they’re a classic match and soak up the sauce beautifully. Boil some water, add a pinch of salt, and cook them according to package directions. Drain and set aside so they’re ready just as the meatballs and sauce finish up.

Step 2: Make the roux for the creamy sauce

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Once it’s bubbly, whisk in the flour. The mixture will look a bit clumpy at first—that’s okay! Keep stirring to cook the flour until it takes on a light brown color, which gives your sauce a lovely nutty flavor.

Step 3: Whisk in beef broth and cream

Slowly pour in the beef broth and heavy cream while whisking constantly—that helps avoid lumps and makes the sauce silky smooth. Once combined, stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and lower the heat to let everything simmer gently.

Step 4: Warm the meatballs and combine

Microwave your frozen meatballs for about 5 minutes or until just warm—they don't need to be piping hot since they'll finish cooking in the sauce. Add them to the simmering sauce and let everything come together quietly for 5 more minutes.

Step 5: Finish and serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a touch of freshness and color. Serve the meatballs and sauce over your noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. Get ready for some serious comfort food satisfaction.

Top Tip

From my many attempts perfecting this Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe, a few simple tweaks really make a huge difference to how amazing it turns out. These tips will help you avoid pitfalls and get that silky sauce every time.

Patience on the roux: Don’t rush cooking the flour in the butter; letting it brown slightly adds great flavor without making it taste burnt.
Slow pour liquids: Pour beef broth and cream gradually while whisking to keep the sauce smooth and lump-free.
Don’t overheat the meatballs initially: Just warm them enough so the final simmer blends flavors without drying them out.
Season thoughtfully: Taste your sauce before adding the meatballs and adjust salt and pepper to really elevate the dish.

How to Serve Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of fresh parsley sprinkled on top for a pop of color and a bit of brightness to counterbalance the creamy richness. Sometimes I add a tiny dash of smoked paprika for a subtle warmth that surprises guests.

Side Dishes

I usually go with egg noodles because they soak up that heavenly sauce perfectly. But, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or a fluffy bed of rice work just as well—whatever you prefer. Roasted veggies on the side round out the meal nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served these meatballs in elegant mini casserole dishes, layered over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes with a sprinkle of dill and a side of lingonberry jam (for a true Swedish touch). It always wows guests and turns a simple meal into something festively memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover meatballs with creamy sauce store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’ve found that covering the surface with plastic wrap before sealing helps keep the sauce smooth and prevents a skin from forming.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, freezing works great—just place the meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and gently reheat on the stove to preserve the sauce’s creamy texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer using a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This keeps the sauce from breaking and the meatballs nice and tender. If it thickens too much, a splash of broth or cream refreshes the consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade meatballs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade meatballs work beautifully here. Just cook them fully in advance and then add them to the creamy sauce to finish simmering for the best flavor integration.

What can I serve instead of egg noodles?

You have lots of options – mashed potatoes are a classic pairing, and rice or even creamy polenta make wonderful bases for the meatballs and sauce as well. Pick whatever you love or have on hand!

How thick should the sauce be?

The sauce should be silky and coat the back of a spoon nicely—thick enough to cling to the meatballs and noodles but still smooth and fluid. If it’s too thick, thin with a little extra broth or cream.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, it stores well in the fridge for a few days and freezes beautifully. Just reheat gently to keep the sauce creamy and the meatballs tender.

Final Thoughts

I always come back to this Easy Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce Recipe when I want something that feels indulgent but doesn’t take hours or fancy ingredients. It reminds me of cozy dinners at home and sharing simple, heartfelt food with friends. I hope you give it a try—you’ll find it’s not only easy but also incredibly satisfying and delicious.