Our Gluten-free twist on this traditional favorite skimps out on nothing. Its full of all the things it should be:ground beef and ground Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, the most enticing seasoning blend, heavy cream, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. It's also missing gluten, which is wonderful for those who avoid gluten.
When I close my eyes, I can see my eight-year-old self seated at the dinner table in front of a steaming plate of Swedish meatballs, the creamy, rich gravy cascading over egg noodles and perfectly-formed meatballs. Swedish meatballs was a staple in my childhood home, but I didn’t fully appreciate how delicious of a dish it was. Now, I do, especially with our Gluten-Free Swedish Meatball Freezer Meal Recipe.
Our gluten-free twist on this traditional favorite skimps out on nothing. It’s full of all the things it should be: ground beef and ground Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, the most enticing seasoning blend, heavy cream, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s also missing gluten, which is wonderful for those who avoid gluten yet doesn’t impact the flavor for those who don’t need to avoid it. Served over a bed of steaming rice, I can’t think of anything else either of us should make for dinner tonight.
The process is as easy as pie, and today, we’re going to do it together. Armed with the ingredients, a gallon freezer bag, and a chef’s hat (joking, but that would up the fun a bit, wouldn’t it?), we’ll spend just a few minutes tossing this dish together before stashing it in our freezers until the day it makes its debut. It’s the method to our madness here, and I think it might become yours, too, after you see how much time and energy you save. Enough talk, though, let’s get to making our Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs!
Why You’ll Love these Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Allergen-Friendly: Our recipe is gluten-free, which makes it a great option for those with dietary restrictions and preferences. It still has great flavor, which means those who do not have to avoid gluten will enjoy them as well.
Comfort Food: Nothing says “comfort food” like a plate of creamy, rich Swedish meatballs!
Simple Ingredients: Made with common ingredients that you likely already have on-hand.
Quick and Easy: We prepare these meatballs in advance, making dinner a breeze any night of the week.
Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe
Our Gluten-free twist on this traditional favorite skimps out on nothing. Its full of all the things it should be:ground beef and ground Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, the most enticing seasoning blend, heavy cream, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. It's also missing gluten, which is wonderful for those who avoid gluten.
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Preheat oven to 450°F, and place parchment paper on large baking sheet.
Mix meatball ingredients in a large bowl until everything is combined, roll into 1 ½ inch meatballs and place on parchment covered baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes. (Meatballs will not be 100% cooked, but this allows them to hold their shape in the freezer bag.
After cooking allow to cool, and then place in freezer bag with remaining ingredients, except day of cooking ingredients.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions
Thaw freezer bag in fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours. During the last 30 minutes stir in 1 cup heavy cream.
Stir the sauce and meatballs to ensure they're well combined and serve over rice.
Instant Pot | Cooking Directions:
Dump the contents of the freezer bag, plus 4 cups beef broth, into the Instant Pot.
Set to High Pressure for 8 minutes, followed by a quick release.
Once the pressure has been fully released and the lid is safely removed, stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Use the “Sauté” function to gently heat the mixture, allowing the cream to blend in and warm up without boiling, for about 5 minutes.
Stir the sauce and meatballs to ensure they’re well combined and serve over rice.
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten Free:
Ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten free
Ensure beef broth is gluten free
Make it Dairy Free:
Replace 1 cup heavy cream with 1 cup full fat coconut cream
Keyword Easy Appetizers, easy freezer meals for new moms, Easy slow cooker recipes, Freezer Meal Appetizers, Gluten Free Freezer Meals, Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs, Slow Cooker Gluten Free, Swedish Meatballs
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Equipment needed to make Easy Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs
1 Large baking sheet
Parchment Paper
1 gallon freezer bag
1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients for your Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Meatball Ingredients
1 lb Ground Italian sausage
1 lb Ground beef
1/4 cup Breadcrumbs, Gluten free
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Onion powder
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
1/8 tsp Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cloves
Remaining Ingredients
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 cup Beef broth, Gluten-free
Day of Cooking:
1 cup Heavy cream
How to Make Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Freezer Recipe
Prep/Freezer Directions:
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Preheat oven to 450°F, and place parchment paper on large baking sheet.
Mix meatball ingredients in a large bowl until everything is combined, roll into 1 ½ inch meatballs and place on parchment covered baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes. (Meatballs will not be 100% cooked, but this allows them to hold their shape in the freezer bag.
After cooking allow to cool, and then place in freezer bag with remaining ingredients, except day of cooking ingredients.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions
Thaw freezer bag in fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours. During the last 30 minutes stir in 1 cup heavy cream.
Stir the sauce and meatballs to ensure they’re well combined and serve over rice.
What to Pair with your Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Freezer Meal
Ground Turkey or Chicken: To lighten up this fare, use ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground beef and Italian sausage. The flavor will be lighter but still so scrumptious.
Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have gluten-free breadcrumbs on hand, use gluten-free oats or gluten-free corn flakes. The texture will be slightly different, but they will both work well as binders.
Coconut Cream: To make this dairy-free, use coconut cream in place of the heavy cream. The flavor will vary slightly, but it will still be creamy and rich.
Additions:
Frozen Spinach: Incorporate one cup of thawed and drained frozen spinach to the meatball mixture to add vegetables to the mix.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Add ¼ cup of grated Parmesan to enhance the flavor by adding a nutty, savory nature to it.
Diced Onion: Adding ½ cup of diced yellow onion to the meatball mixture will add a bit of moisture and flavor to the meatballs.
How To Reheat & Store Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe
Best Way To Store Leftover Homemade Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs
We recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before placing the meatball leftovers in the fridge, allow the recipe to cool to room temperature before placing in your airtight containers. If serving with rice, store the meatballs and sauce separately from the rice.
How Long Will Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe Last In the Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs will last for three to five days. If you want to increase the change of remaining fresher longer, allow recipe to cool completely before storing in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs Meal Prep?
Our method is freezing raw and then cooking because it is the most convenient cooking method and it yields the best flavor. These meatballs certainly can be frozen after cooking, but when you thaw them for round two, they will have less flavor and a less enjoyable texture than they did the first round. Because of this, we recommend consuming any leftovers within the recommended time frame of fridge storage.
How To Reheat Best Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs?
While you are able to reheat these in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop, we recommend the stovetop. It will sear them a little and it is the best way to control the moisture level of the sauce. Add a little more cream if you find it is slightly drier as you reheat.
Make-Ahead Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs FAQs
What is Swedish meatball sauce made of?
Traditionally, Swedish meatball sauce is a creamy gravy made with butter and beef broth or stock, thickened with flour and made creamy with cream. After searing the meatballs, the pan drippings are also incorporated into the sauce which adds the best touch of flavor.
What’s the difference between Italian meatballs and Swedish meatballs?
The main difference between Italian and Swedish meatballs is the sauce they are served in. Italian meatballs are served in a bright, tangy, and often chunk marinara sauce, whereas Swedish meatballs are served in a creamy, gravy-like sauce made with beef broth and either sour cream or heavy cream.
How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart?
Binding meatballs is key to preventing them from falling apart, but a close second is not overworking the meatballs when making and forming them. By using bread crumbs and egg, you bind the meat well so your meatballs stay intact throughout the cooking process.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for meatballs?
Any type of ground meat will work to make meatballs, just beware that the flavor of the dish will change depending on which type of meat you choose. Ground turkey and chicken will bring a lighter flavor to the dish, whereas the traditionally-used ground beef will be a bit heavier and richer in flavor.
Can I add vegetables to a Swedish meatball mixture?
Although Swedish meatballs do not traditionally have vegetables in them, it is certainly possible to add in shredded grated zucchini or carrot. In fact, it’s a great way to sneak vegetables into the dish.
Is 80/20 ground beef the best choice for Swedish meatballs?
The ideal ground beef for Swedish meatballs is 80/20, because there is enough fat to keep the meatballs from drying out. If you’re combining ground beef with ground pork, though, it may be best to choose a 90/10 blend because pork brings its own fat to the mix.
Do Swedish meatballs contain sour cream?
Swedish meatballs themselves do not contain sour cream, but the sauce they’re traditionally served in does. It is a rich, roux-based sauce, made with beef broth and either sour cream or heavy cream.
What do Swedish people eat with meatballs?
The traditional, Swedish way to eat meatballs is over plain pasta (typically macaroni) or over plain or mashed potatoes. The twist is that they also eat them with lingonberry jam.
What is Sweden’s most famous dish?
Sweden is most famous for their meatballs, Jansson’s temptation (which is a potato gratin with cream and sprats) and gravadlax, a preserved fish.
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
