Swedish Meatball Soup – Cozy, Creamy, and Full of Comfort
If you’re a fan of classic Swedish meatballs, you’re going to fall in love with this Swedish Meatball Soup.
It’s everything you adore about the traditional dish—tender, flavorful meatballs in a rich, creamy broth—turned into a warm, satisfying soup that’s perfect for chilly days or when you need a comforting meal fast.
This one-pot wonder combines savory broth, a touch of cream, hearty vegetables, and perfectly seasoned meatballs for a bowl that’s both comforting and elegant.
Whether you serve it with egg noodles, potatoes, or crusty bread, this soup is a cozy hug in every spoonful.
Why You’ll Love This Swedish Meatball Soup
🍽️ Classic Swedish flavor, now in soup form
🧆 Tender homemade meatballs in a rich, creamy broth
🥕 Hearty and wholesome, packed with veggies
⏱️ One pot meal, easy and satisfying
🥣 Perfect for leftovers, freezes well too
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated onion
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1½ cups potatoes, diced (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Swedish Meatball Soup
🧆 In a large bowl, mix together ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until just combined. Roll into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
🔥 In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside (they’ll finish cooking in the soup).
🥕 In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
🍲 Add beef broth, potatoes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle boil.
🍽️ Return the meatballs to the pot and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the veggies are tender.
🥛 Stir in heavy cream or sour cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
🌿 Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with warm bread or over egg noodles.
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
🍄 Add sliced mushrooms for extra umami
🥔 Skip the potatoes and serve over mashed potatoes or pasta
🧀 Stir in a bit of Parmesan cheese for added richness
🥬 Toss in a handful of spinach or kale for a veggie boost
🥩 Use frozen meatballs to save time—just adjust the cook time
Tips for the Best Swedish Meatball Soup
✔ Don’t overmix your meatball mixture—gentle hands make tender meatballs
✔ Use beef/pork blend for traditional flavor
✔ Sear the meatballs for extra flavor before simmering
✔ Add cream at the end to keep the broth silky and smooth
Storage and Reheating
📦 Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container
❄️ Freeze in portions for up to 3 months
🔥 Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed
Final Thoughts
This Swedish Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food—with all the savory, creamy goodness of traditional Swedish meatballs in a warm and cozy bowl.
It’s perfect for cold nights, holiday meals, or whenever you need something hearty and soul-soothing. Trust me—this one will have everyone coming back for seconds!
