Swedish Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce

Sometimes, a small twist can give a classic recipe a whole new personality. Swedish meatballs are a comfort food dish featuring beef and/or pork meatballs simmered in a rich, lightly spiced brown gravy. This recipe takes a turn and replaces the expected gravy with a rich Alfredo sauce fortified with sour cream, garlic, dill and just a flicker of heat from hot pepper sauce. The result is silkier, tangier and a little more indulgent, without straying too far from the original.

The real payoff is in the texture. Fully cooked meatballs go into a slow cooker and come out plump, tender and bathed in sauce, with no risk of drying out. The Alfredo mixture thickens as it cooks, setting it up to pool around a tangle of egg noodles. A last-minute dusting of paprika gives the whole thing an inviting reddish blush and just enough flair to make it feel like more than a shortcut slow-cooker recipe.

Swedish Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

• Roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
• Heavy whipping cream
• Sour cream
• Hot pepper sauce
• Garlic powder
• Dill weed
• Pepper
• Frozen fully cooked Swedish meatballs
• Paprika
• Hot cooked egg noodles

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine the Alfredo sauce, heavy cream, sour cream, hot pepper sauce, garlic powder, dill weed and pepper.

Step 2: Add the meatballs and cook

Stir in the meatballs. Cook, covered, on low until the meatballs are heated through, two to three hours.

Step 2: Finish and serve

Sprinkle with paprika, and serve with the noodles.

How to Store Swedish Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce

Leftover Swedish meatballs with Alfredo sauce can be stored in a food storage container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Let the meatballs and sauce cool slightly before sealing the container to prevent condensation. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from scorching.

Swedish Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce Tips

Can I use homemade meatballs in the Swedish meatballs with Alfredo sauce recipe?

You can use homemade meatballs in this Swedish meatballs with Alfredo sauce recipe, but for best results, make sure they’re fully cooked and either chilled or frozen before adding them to the slow cooker. Stick to beef or pork meatballs, which hold up better during the long cook time than more fragile turkey or chicken meatballs.

Can I use homemade Alfredo sauce for Swedish meatballs with Alfredo sauce?

Homemade Alfredo sauce will work just as well as jarred in this recipe. Add a few cloves of roasted garlic to replicate the flavor of the prepared sauce and a few extra splashes of cream if the sauce is too thick. Be sure to make enough sauce to yield the same volume as the two jars. You need around 3-1/2 cups, so the meatballs are well coated and so that there’s enough sauce for the noodles.

What should I serve with Swedish meatballs with Alfredo sauce?

Egg noodles and mashed potatoes are popular accompaniments for Swedish meatballs, and provide a sturdy bed for the sauce. For something different, serve them over rice, homemade pasta or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Add seasoned green beans or a crisp fresh cucumber salad to round out the meal. If you can find it, try a spoonful of lingonberry jam for a sweet-tart hit against the creamy sauce.