Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs
The first time I had Swedish Meatballs with lingonberry sauce was at IKEA and I have to admit, I fell in love with them! Today I’m sharing a delicious Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs recipe. This Swedish meatball recipe can be served in several ways and this creamy Swedish meatball sauce will leave you wanting more!
This Swedish Meatballs Instant Pot Recipe can be served with or without pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Comfort Food: These meatballs deliver a cozy, hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
- Efficient and Easy: The Instant Pot cuts down on cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
- Creamy and Savory: Enjoy the rich, creamy sauce over meatballs for a satisfying taste.
Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make the best Swedish Meatballs In the Instant Pot.
- Frozen Beef Meatballs: The main attraction, providing a hearty, meaty flavor and satisfying texture.
- White Onion: Adds a sweet, slightly sharp flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
- Beef Broth: Enhances the meaty flavor of the dish and provides a savory liquid base for the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the sauce a luxurious, velvety texture and rich flavor.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings to every meatball.
- Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a warm, spicy note that pairs well with the robust flavors of the meatballs.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Paprika: Gives a smoky, slightly sweet note that adds complexity to the dish.
- Water: Additional liquid for the pressure cooking process in the Instant Pot.
- Rotini Pasta or Egg Noodles (Optional): Either provides a delicious, starchy base that soaks up the flavorful sauce.
- Lingonberry Sauce: A traditional Swedish accompaniment, adding a sweet-tart contrast to the savory meatballs.
- Fresh Parsley or Rosemary: Adds a finishing touch of fresh, herbal flavor and color.
How to Make Swedish Meatballs Instant Pot Style
Here are the instructions for cooking Swedish meatballs in the electric pressure cooker.
Step One: Cook Pasta if Required
Cook Egg Noodles or Rotini pasta on the stove top. Drain and set aside. (Only do this if you plan to serve your meatballs with pasta).

Step 2: Place Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs Into Steamer Basket.
Place steamer basket into the instant pot. Pour in 1 cup water. Add in meatballs. Place lid on instant pot. Set valve to sealed position.
Step 3: Pressure Cook Your Meatballs
Cook on manual or high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the instant pot stops counting release pressure. Remove lid. Remove meatballs to a bowl and cover.
Step 4: Drain Liquid From Your Inner Pot
Drain juice from pot insert. Place insert back into the pot. Pour in beef broth and sliced onions. Set to saute mode.

How to Make Swedish Meatball Sauce in the Instant Pot?
Step One: Set Instant Pot to Saute Function
Pour the beef broth into your Instant Pot. Add sliced onions. Set to saute mode.

Step Two: Create Your Swedish Sauce Mixture
In a separate bowl, measure out your heavy cream, cornstarch and seasonings. Whisk to make a cornstarch slurry. This will thicken into a sauce-like gravy mixture.

Step Three: Thicken Your Swedish Meatball Sauce
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the Instant Pot with the beef broth. Bring to a boil using the saute mode for about 5 minutes. As the Swedish meatball sauce beings to thicken, turn the Instant Pot off and let cook for a few minutes.

Step Four: Combine Meatballs With Swedish Meatball Sauce
Add meatballs to the pot and toss well. If serving with pasta or egg noodles add the cooked pasta to the Swedish sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step Five: Serve and Garnish Your Tender Swedish Meatballs
Serve your Swedish meatballs and Pasta dish into bowls and garnish with rosemary or fresh parsley for added flavor.
Top Tip: Be sure to serve this Instant Pot Sweedish Meatballs Recipe with Lingonberry jam for a tart and fruity twist on the traditional dish.
Your pressure cooker meatballs are now ready to serve.

What to Serve With Swedish Meatballs
Wondering what goes with Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs?
Instant Pot Swedish meatballs taste amazing and they go well with both mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes, pasta, rice or noodles.
To Make Your Own Meatballs Try This Homemade Meatballs Recipe:
In a large bowl combine ground beef (1/2 pound) ground pork (1/2 pound)1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice and salt and pepper to taste.
Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs and ensure the Swedish meatballs are pressure cooked in the Instant Pot following the same instructions as above for frozen meatballs or fresh meatballs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Swedish Meatballs?
Swedish Meatballs are a traditional dish in Sweden and are made with a mixture of ground beef and ground pork, bread crumbs, onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg and cream. The Swedish meatballs are coated in breadcrumbs before cooking and can be served as an appetizer or main course.
Where Did Swedish Meatballs Originate?
Swedish meatballs were originally brought to Sweden in the 17th Century by King Charles XII who had encountered them during his time in Turkey. They have become a staple dish in Swedish cuisine, and are often served with mashed potatoes or noodles and lingonberry jam
Why You Should Make Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs?
This Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs recipe is not only easy and quick to make, but it’s also delicious.
The pressure cooker helps to give the meatballs a nice tender texture while infusing them with flavor from the creamy sauce.
What Do Swedish Meatballs Taste Like?
Swedish meatballs have a unique flavor thanks to the combination of spices (allspice and nutmeg) and creamy sauce. They’re savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying.
Classic Swedish meatballs are usually served with lingonberry sauce, which adds a tart and fruity flavor to the dish.
What Seasonings Are in Swedish Meatballs?
This Swedish meatball recipe includes paprika and onion for flavor. The creamy sauce also adds savory flavor to the dish.
Do I Have to Use Frozen Meatballs for This Recipe?
No, you can use fresh meatballs for this recipe. Cook the meatballs in the Instant Pot using the same instructions. However, you will need to decrease your cooking to 5 minutes if using fresh instead of frozen meatballs.
Can I Use Homemade Meatballs in This Recipe?
Yes, you can use homemade meatballs rather than store-bought meatballs in this Swedish Meatball Recipe. Just follow the same instructions as above, adjusting the pressure cooking time to 5 minutes if using fresh instead of frozen meatballs.
Can I Use Ground Turkey or Chicken in Place of Beef?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef in this Swedish meatball recipe. Just note that the meatballs cooking time may need to be adjusted as ground turkey and chicken have a shorter cook time than beef.
Can I Cook Swedish Meatballs in the Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can also cook this Swedish Meatball recipe in the slow cooker or crock pot. Simply place all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Can I Add Worcestershire Sauce to Swedish Meatballs?
Yes, you can add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the Swedish meatball sauce for added flavor. It is not traditional in the dish but can be a tasty addition.
Can I Use Milk Instead of Heavy Cream in the Swedish Meatball Sauce?
Yes, you can use whole milk instead of heavy cream in the Swedish meatball sauce. However, it may not thicken as well and may not have as rich of a flavor. If using milk, consider adding cornstarch to help thicken the sauce.
Can I Freeze Swedish Meatballs and Sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked Swedish meatballs and sauce for up to 3 months. Let cool before placing in an airtight container or bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
How to Reheat Meatballs?
To reheat your Swedish meatballs, place them in a skillet on the stovetop or into your Instant Po with a little bit of broth or water and heat until warmed through.
Where to Get Swedish Meatballs for Cooking?
Wondering where to buy Swedish meatballs?
You can find frozen Swedish meatballs at your local Ikea store and in many local supermarkets such as walmart or target in the frozen section.
Best Substitute for Lingonberry Sauce?
If you cannot find lingonberry jam or sauce, raspberry jam or cranberry sauce can be good substitutes in this Swedish meatball recipe.
Additionally, a mix of equal parts orange marmalade and red wine vinegar can also work well as a substitute for the traditional lingonberry sauce.
Can I Serve Swedish Meatballs Over Rice Instead of Pasta?
Yes, you can serve this Swedish meatball recipe over rice or even mashed potatoes instead of pasta. It can also be served as a stand-alone dish without any starch.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make this Swedish meatball recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs in the meatball ingredients and using gluten-free all-purpose flour or cornstarch in the sauce.
Serve over gluten-free pasta or rice for a completely gluten-free meal.
Can I Add Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt Instead of Cream?
Yes, you can add sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream in the Swedish meatball sauce.
This will add a slight tanginess to the dish but can still provide a creamy texture to the sauce. it still tastes amazing and will make a great family dinner.
Do I Have to Serve Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs With Egg Noodles?
No, the traditional Swedish meatball dish is served with egg noodles but you can serve it with any type of pasta or even over white or brown rice.
What Vegetable Goes With Swedish Meatballs?
You can also enjoy Swedish meatballs with vegetable sides such as green beans, Asparagus or steamed broccoli.
And don’t forget the lingonberry jam or sauce as a tasty topping to go with this amazing recipe!

Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs And Pasta
If you want to have a little twist with the taste of your usual pasta recipe, then try this Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs and Pasta Recipe now!
Ingredients
- 1 bag homestyle beef meatballs
- 1 white onion
- 1 - 28 oz beef broth
- 1 - 16 oz rotini pasta; cook as directed on the box.
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (add more as tasted)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Cook pasta on stove as directed on the box. Drain and set aside. This can be done as the meatballs are steaming. Place steamer basket into the instant pot. Pour in 1 cup water. Add in meatballs. Place lid on instant pot. Set valve to sealed position.
- Cook on manual or high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the instant pot stops counting release pressure. Remove lid. Remove meatballs to a bowl and cover. Drain juice from pot insert. Place insert back into the pot. Pour in beef broth and sliced onions. Set to sauté mode.
- In a liquid measuring cup whisk heavy cream, cornstarch, and seasonings. This will make the cornstarch slurry that will thicken the sauce like a gravy.
- our cornstarch slurry into the pot with he beef broth. Bring to a boil on sauté mode for about 5 minutes as it starts to thicken turn of pot and let cook for a few minutes. Add meatballs and pasta to the pot and toss well. Taste to see if more pepper or salt is needed.
- Serve with fresh rosemary for a little extra flavor. Your pressure cooker meatballs are now ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1311mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 12g
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