Delicious Baked Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Dill Sauce
Indulge in the rich flavors of these Baked Swedish Meatballs, a cherished recipe from my Seaward Inn Cookbook. Every summer at the Seaward Inn in Rockport, MA, we enjoyed the lovely ambiance and delightful food. This dish, consisting of savory beef meatballs bathed in a creamy dill sauce, has become a family favorite, especially for my husband. Served with tender egg noodles, this recipe evokes memories of our summer getaways and brings a touch of nostalgia to our dinner table. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy weeknight meal, these mouthwatering meatballs are sure to impress!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
bread
2 slices (soaked in milk)
milk
1/2 cup (for soaking bread)
ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (raw)
egg
1 (slightly beaten)
onion
1 small (minced)
sugar
1/2 teaspoon (raw)
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
salt
1 teaspoon (raw)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
cardamom seed
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
flour or cornstarch
5 tablespoons (for gravy)
condensed beef consomme
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can (for sauce)
water
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can (for sauce)
light cream
1 cup (for sauce)
dill weed
1 teaspoon (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a small bowl, soak the two slices of bread in 1/2 cup of milk until soft.
3
Once softened, mash the bread with a fork and combine it in a large mixing bowl with the slightly beaten egg.
4
Add the ground beef, minced onion, sugar, and all the spices (nutmeg, allspice, salt, pepper, and cardamom) to the bread mixture. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
6
If you prefer to brown them, heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. Alternatively, bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through.
7
Once browned or baked, transfer the meatballs to a 2-quart casserole dish.
8
In the skillet used for browning, add 5 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the drippings. Stir until well combined.
9
Slowly whisk in one can of condensed beef consomme and one can of water. If the meatballs were baked, shake the empty soup can with one can of water and add it to the mixture.
10
Cook the gravy over medium heat while stirring until it thickens and becomes smooth.
11
Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cup of light cream and dill weed until blended.
12
Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the casserole dish, ensuring even coverage.
13
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes in the oven.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein used in this Swedish Meatball recipe?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How is the bread prepared for the meatball mixture?
Two slices of bread are soaked in 1/2 cup of milk until soft, then mashed with a fork.
What spices are included in the meatballs?
The spice blend includes nutmeg, allspice, salt, pepper, and cardamom seed.
What size should the meatballs be shaped into?
The mixture should be shaped into 1-inch meatballs.
Are the meatballs baked or fried?
They can be either browned in a skillet or baked in the oven for 20 minutes until cooked through.
What size casserole dish is recommended for this recipe?
A 2-quart casserole dish is used to house the meatballs and sauce.
How is the gravy thickened?
The gravy is thickened using 5 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch stirred into the drippings.
What liquid base is used for the creamy sauce?
The sauce uses one 10.5 ounce can of condensed beef consomme and one can of water.
When is the light cream added to the recipe?
The light cream is stirred in after the gravy has thickened and the pan has been removed from the heat.
What herb gives the sauce its distinct flavor?
Dill weed is used to flavor the creamy sauce.
How long is the final baking period once the sauce is added?
The meatballs bake for an additional 30 minutes once covered with sauce.
Should the casserole dish be covered during the final bake?
Yes, the dish should be covered with aluminum foil.
What is the recommended side dish for these meatballs?
They are traditionally served with tender egg noodles.
Where does this specific recipe originate from?
This recipe is from the Seaward Inn Cookbook from Rockport, MA.
How many eggs are required for the meatball mix?
One slightly beaten egg is required.
Is onion used in this recipe?
Yes, one small minced onion is added to the meatball mixture.
Is there any sugar in these Swedish meatballs?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
Can I use cornstarch instead of flour for the gravy?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 5 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch.
How much nutmeg is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
What is the amount of cardamom used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom seed.
What is the total number of ingredients listed?
There are 16 ingredients in total.
How much allspice is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice.
What type of cream is used for the sauce?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of light cream.
How much dill weed is added to the sauce?
One teaspoon of dill weed is used.
What is the first step in making the gravy if the meatballs were baked?
Shake the empty soup can with one can of water and add it to the mixture with the consomme.
How should the ingredients be mixed?
Mix well in a large bowl until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Is this recipe suitable for gatherings?
Yes, it is described as perfect for gatherings or a cozy weeknight meal.
What is the total prep and bake time roughly?
Initial baking/browning takes 20 minutes, followed by a final 30-minute bake.
What is the texture of the finished sauce?
The sauce is creamy, thick, and smooth.