Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe
Introduction
Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. This creamy soup combines tender meatballs, flavorful vegetables, and egg noodles in a rich broth that warms you from the inside out.

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
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1-inch in diameter and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 4: Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually pour in beef broth while whisking to prevent lumps.
- Step 5: Bring the soup to a simmer. Add nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Gently add browned meatballs and egg noodles or diced potatoes. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until noodles or potatoes are tender and meatballs are cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use diced potatoes instead of egg noodles for a gluten-free option.
- Adding a pinch of smoked paprika can add a subtle smoky flavor to the soup.
- Use a mix of ground beef and pork for more tender, flavorful meatballs.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens after storing, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze Swedish Meatball Soup?
Yes, you can freeze the soup without the cream for up to 2 months. Add the cream when reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare and brown the meatballs up to a day in advance and store them refrigerated. Add them to the soup in step 5 when simmering.
PrintCozy Swedish Meatball Soup Recipe
This Cozy Swedish Meatball Soup combines flavorful, tender meatballs with a creamy, savory broth studded with veggies and egg noodles or potatoes. It’s a comforting one-pot meal perfect for chilly days, blending traditional Swedish meatball flavors into a hearty, satisfying soup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients
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
- 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 until well combined. Roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and set aside.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning to get a golden crust on all sides. Remove the cooked meatballs and set aside.
- Prepare the Soup: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the beef broth to avoid lumps.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a gentle 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 the noodles or potatoes are tender and meatballs are cooked through.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy the comforting flavors of this Swedish meatball soup.
Notes
- Use a mix of ground beef and pork for juicier meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free options to adapt the recipe.
- Egg noodles add a traditional touch, but diced potatoes are great for a gluten-free variation.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after adding cream, as it can mellow flavors.
- Leftover soup keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheats nicely.
Keywords: Swedish meatball soup, meatball soup, creamy meatball soup, comforting soup recipe, one pot soup, ground beef soup, easy dinner soup

