Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs are an easy comfort food dinner made with tender meatballs and egg noodles tossed in a rich, creamy gravy.
This simple slow cooker recipe uses frozen meatballs, cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix and a handful of pantry staples to create a delicious meal with minimal effort.
The addition of sour cream gives the savoury beef gravy a rich, creamy texture that coats every bite of meatballs and noodles.
These creamy Swedish meatballs are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, family-friendly dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why This Recipe is a Winner!
- Quick and Easy Prep: Just 10 minutes of prep time and your slow cooker does most of the work.
- Uses Frozen Meatballs: No need to mix, roll or brown homemade meatballs, making this recipe incredibly convenient.
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Made with affordable frozen meatballs, pantry staples and a few simple refrigerated ingredients.
- Perfect for Busy Weeknights: Minimal hands-on cooking means you can get dinner started and focus on other things.
- Family-Friendly Comfort Food: Creamy gravy, tender meatballs and noodles make this a meal both kids and adults will enjoy.
- Ready in Just Over 2 Hours: Unlike many slow cooker recipes, this one doesn't require cooking all day.
- Great for Leftovers: The meatballs and creamy gravy reheat well for an easy lunch or dinner the next day.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
2 hours
Yield:
Serves 4
Ingredients You'll Need
- Frozen Meatballs (32 oz): Convenient, ready-to-cook meatballs make this recipe quick and easy.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.5 oz): Creates a rich, creamy base for the gravy.
- Brown Gravy Mix (0.87 oz packet): Adds savoury beef flavour and helps thicken the sauce.
- Beef Broth (2 cups): Adds moisture and enhances the rich flavour of the gravy.
- Worcestershire Sauce (2 teaspoons): Adds depth and a delicious savoury flavour.
- Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle garlic flavour.
- Onion Powder (½ teaspoon): Provides mild onion flavour.
- Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a touch of warmth and seasoning.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavour of the dish.
- Egg Noodles (12 oz): Tender noodles soak up the creamy gravy.
- Sour Cream (1 cup): Makes the gravy extra creamy with a slight tang.
- Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish for colour and freshness.
Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.
Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!
Step By Step Instructions
STEP 1:
I poured frozen meatballs into the slow cooker.
STEP 2:
I added cream of mushroom soup, gravy mix, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to the pot.
I stirred the ingredients together and cooked them on HIGH for 2 hours.
STEP 3:
After hours of cooking I stirred in some sour cream to thicken the sauce.
STEP 4:
I cooked egg noodles according to the package directions and added them to the slow cooker.
STEP 5:
I stirred all of the ingredients together well and topped the dish with chopped parsley.
Every bite of these Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs is loaded with tender, juicy meatballs and soft egg noodles coated in a rich, creamy, savoury gravy.
The combination of hearty beef flavour, velvety sauce and noodles makes this an incredibly satisfying comfort food dinner that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you are looking for a hearty slow cooker dinner the whole family will love, then you need to try these Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs!
Erin's Tips for the Best Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
- Use Homestyle Meatballs: Frozen homestyle or beef meatballs work best for this recipe. Avoid Italian-style meatballs with strong herbs and seasonings.
- No Need to Thaw: Add the frozen meatballs directly to the slow cooker to save time and effort.
- Mix the Gravy Well: Stir the soup, gravy mix, broth and seasonings together thoroughly to prevent lumps.
- Don't Overcook the Meatballs: Since frozen meatballs are typically precooked, they only need to heat through and absorb the flavours of the gravy. Make sure they're piping hot in the centre before serving.
- Add Sour Cream at the End: Stir in the sour cream after the meatballs have finished cooking to keep the gravy smooth and creamy.
- Use Full-Fat Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream creates the richest, creamiest gravy and is less likely to separate.
- Cook the Noodles Separately: Boil the egg noodles according to the package directions before adding them to the slow cooker so they don't become mushy.
- Add Noodles Just Before Serving: Toss the cooked noodles with the meatballs and gravy right before serving to prevent them from soaking up too much sauce.
- Adjust the Gravy Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, stir in a splash of beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste Before Adding More Salt: The gravy mix, soup and beef broth already contain sodium, so taste the finished sauce before adding extra seasoning.
- Serve Immediately: These Swedish meatballs are best enjoyed hot while the gravy is creamy and the noodles are tender.
Substitutions and Variations
- Homemade Meatballs: Swap the frozen meatballs for your favourite homemade beef or pork meatballs. Brown or fully cook them before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Turkey Meatballs: Use frozen turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter alternative to traditional beef meatballs.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavour.
- Cream of Celery Soup: Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom for a mild, savoury gravy without the mushroom flavour.
- Greek Yogurt: Replace the sour cream with plain full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier sauce. Stir it in at the end with the heat off to help prevent curdling.
- Heavy Cream: Swap the sour cream for heavy cream if you prefer a milder, richer gravy without the tanginess.
- Fresh Mushrooms: Add sliced cremini or button mushrooms to the slow cooker for extra mushroom flavour and texture.
- Diced Onions: Add finely diced yellow onions for additional savoury flavour.
- Different Noodles: Substitute egg noodles with rotini, penne or bowtie pasta.
- Mashed Potatoes: Skip the egg noodles and serve the creamy Swedish meatballs over fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Rice: Serve the meatballs and gravy over white rice or brown rice for another hearty dinner option.
- Chicken Broth: Use chicken broth instead of beef broth for a slightly lighter gravy flavour.
- Dijon Mustard: Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard for a subtle tang that complements the creamy gravy.
- Add Extra Seasoning: Sprinkle in a pinch of ground nutmeg or allspice for a more traditional Swedish meatball flavour.
- Extra Creamy Gravy: Add an additional ¼ cup of sour cream for an even richer, creamier sauce.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh dill or chives instead of parsley for a different finishing flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store leftover Swedish meatballs?
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate promptly, within 2 hours of cooking.
Can I freeze leftover Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs?
- Yes, the meatballs and gravy can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality. The sour cream gravy may separate slightly after thawing, and the egg noodles can become softer.
Can I make Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs ahead of time?
- Yes! You can prepare the meatballs and gravy ahead of time and refrigerate them. For the best texture, cook the egg noodles fresh and toss everything together just before serving.
Can I cook Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs on low instead of high?
- Yes, you can cook the meatballs on low, but they will take longer to heat through. Cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and whether the meatballs are thawed.
Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs are an easy slow cooker dinner made with tender meatballs and egg noodles tossed in a rich, creamy beef gravy.
This hearty comfort food recipe uses frozen meatballs, cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix and sour cream for a delicious, family-friendly meal with minimal prep.
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen meatballs
- 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 0.87 oz packet brown gravy
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Add meatballs, cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, beef broth, worcestershire sauce and seasonings to the slow cooker.
- Stir, cook on high for 2 hours.
- Stir in the sour cream after 2 hours of cooking.
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions, add to the slow cooker, and toss.
- Top with chopped parsley to serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 961Total Fat: 67gSaturated Fat: 24gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 209mgSodium: 2854mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 7gSugar: 11gProtein: 41g
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Hi! My name is Erin and I have been here since 2016 sharing simple family friendly recipes that can be prepared by any home cook. Get ready to whip up delicious meals in no time!
