Description
Swedish meatballs showcase Nordic culinary traditions with perfectly seasoned meat and creamy sauce. Served over egg noodles, this comfort dish invites you to savor delicious flavors from Sweden’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ⅔ cup milk
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ medium onion, finely diced or grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to facilitate seamless cooking and effortless cleanup.
- Bread Crumb Hydration: Merge milk with Italian bread crumbs in a spacious mixing bowl, allowing the crumbs to absorb liquid and transform into a soft, pliable base.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper into the moistened breadcrumb mixture, blending gently with fingertips to maintain a delicate meat structure without compressing the ingredients.
- Meatball Crafting: Mold the seasoned mixture into consistent 2-inch spheres, arranging them methodically on the prepared baking sheet with minimal spacing to ensure even heat distribution.
- Roasting Process: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, roasting for 18-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), confirming thorough cooking through a precise meat thermometer check.
- Serving Finale: Extract the golden-brown meatballs from the oven, allowing momentary resting to release excess fat, then transfer to a serving platter and complement with a vibrant marinara or rich tomato sauce.
Notes
- Bread Crumb Soaking: Milk helps breadcrumbs absorb moisture, creating a tender, juicy meatball texture that prevents dryness.
- Mixing Technique: Use gentle hand mixing to avoid compressing meat, which prevents tough, dense meatballs and maintains a light, delicate consistency.
- Temperature Precision: Always check internal meat temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety and perfectly cooked meatballs without overcooking.
- Resting Period: Allow meatballs to rest briefly after cooking, letting excess fat drain and helping them retain moisture and structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 356
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg