Hi everyone, Sal here! You might remember me from my store-cupboard cook-in series earlier this year. Now that the nights are drawing in and the temperature has dropped, I’m all about cosy cooking – and Swedish meatballs are one of my favourite winter warmers. Home-made meatballs smothered in a creamy sauce…what could be better?
The brilliant thing about this Swedish meatballs recipe is that it makes a hearty meal and tastes indulgent, but it’s actually completely Free, so it’s perfect if you’re following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan. It’s also very versatile, so if you’re not a fan of pork mince, try it with turkey mince and tarragon or lean beef mince and parsley. They both taste great!
I found this Swedish meatballs recipe in the Slimming World’s One For All cookbook, which is just one in the fantastic range of slimming-friendly recipe books available in Slimming World groups and the members-only online shop.
Let me show you how to make a slimming-friendly take on Swedish meatballs. I promise it’s much easier than assembling flat-pack furniture!
Slimming World Swedish meatballs
serves 4
Free
ready in 35 mins
What you need:
750g lean pork mince (5% fat or less)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
½ small pack fresh dill, chopped
1 medium egg, beaten
low-calorie cooking spray
300ml boiling chicken stock
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp tomato purée
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dark soy sauce
1 level tsp cornflour
150g plain quark
2 tbsp fat-free natural Greek yogurt
½ tsp paprika
What you do:
1. Put the pork, onion, garlic, nutmeg, 2 tbsp dill, egg, ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper in a mixing bowl and mix well. Shape the mixture into 28 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball.
2. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and fry for 8 minutes or until well browned all over and cooked through (you might need to do this in batches). Lift the meatballs onto a plate, cover with foil and keep warm.
3. Add the stock, rosemary and tomato purée to the pan and bring to a simmer. Add the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and some seasoning to taste, then return the meatballs to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently until they have heated through. Mix the cornflour with 6 tbsp quark and add to the pan, swirling it until the sauce is gently simmering and has slightly thickened.
4. To make some quark ‘soured cream’, mix the remaining quark with the yogurt, paprika, 1 tbsp dill and some seasoning to taste.
5. Scatter the remaining dill over the meatballs and serve with the quark ‘soured cream’. This is fantastic with tagliatelle pasta and green vegetables.
MORE ON THE BLOG: Our budget-friendly meal ideas will give you maximum taste for minimum spend
Sal’s Swedish meatballs tips
- Using frozen chopped onions is a great time-saver – just make sure you defrost them and squeeze out the excess water before adding to the mince.
- If you don’t have time to make the meatballs from scratch, Slimming World Beef & Pork Meatballs, available at Iceland, are Free and can be added straight to the pan.
- Try to get a nice brown colour on the meatballs, as it adds even more great flavour to the final dish.
- Get your quark out of the fridge when you start cooking so that it’s not too cold when you add it to the pan. This helps to reduce the risk of splitting.
- I’ve suggested serving the meatballs with tagliatelle, but they also taste fantastic with cauliflower rice if you want to pack even more veggies into your meal.
Whether you’re in the mood for Swedish meatballs, chicken stew or a fragrant vegetable curry, Slimming World members can find a full menu of winter-warming recipes over on the members-only website.
If you’re not yet a member, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome at one of our local groups – running in real-life or virtually – as well as expert guidance, proven slimming strategies and support to help you achieve your dream weight.
Contact your local Consultant to book your place in group
You can also lose weight online with our friendly digital service, Slimming World Online, and get tailored support towards a slimmer, fitter and healthier you.