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quick dinnerseasy

Swedish Meatballs with Costco Frozen Meatballs

Costco's frozen Italian meatballs transformed into Swedish meatballs with a rich, creamy gravy — ready in 20 minutes and served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a comfort food dinner that tastes nothing like IKEA.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Servings
4
Cost / Serving
$7.24

Quick Answer

Cook Kirkland frozen meatballs per package, then drop them into a quick gravy of butter, flour, beef broth, sour cream, and Worcestershire and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Ready in 25 minutes; serves 4.

Swedish meatballs are a weeknight comfort food that most people think requires special equipment or hours of effort. Using Costco's frozen meatballs cuts the work by two-thirds — the only thing you're making from scratch is the cream gravy, which comes together in 10 minutes. The result is a rich, savory, restaurant-quality Swedish meatball dish that serves four and reheats beautifully.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook meatballs according to package directions (oven at 375°F for 15 minutes, or microwave for 3 minutes). Set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is golden and smells nutty.

  3. 3

    Slowly pour in broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook 3–4 minutes until thickened.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire, Dijon, allspice, and nutmeg. Simmer gently for 3 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.

  5. 5

    Add cooked meatballs to the gravy. Stir to coat and heat through for 3–4 minutes.

  6. 6

    Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley and a spoonful of lingonberry jam on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Swedish meatballs different from Italian meatballs?+
Swedish meatballs are typically smaller, seasoned with allspice and nutmeg, and always served in a cream-based gravy. Italian meatballs are larger, seasoned with garlic and herbs, and served in tomato sauce. Using Costco's Italian-style meatballs for Swedish preparations works well because the seasoning difference is subtle and the cream gravy dominates the flavor profile.
Can I make the gravy without heavy cream?+
Half-and-half makes a lighter sauce. Whole milk works but produces a thinner, less rich result. For the best flavor and texture closest to traditional Swedish meatball gravy, heavy cream is worth using.
What can I serve with Swedish meatballs besides egg noodles?+
Mashed potatoes are the most traditional Swedish accompaniment. Creamy polenta also works beautifully. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower mash or with roasted root vegetables.
Can I make Swedish meatball gravy ahead of time?+
Yes. Make the gravy up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Reheat gently over medium-low heat, whisking in a splash of broth if needed to loosen it. Add the meatballs to the reheated gravy and serve.

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