Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?

Absolutely. Homemade meatballs add a personal touch. If they are uncooked, brown them first to help them hold together, then add to the sauce and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. If they are already cooked, follow the same timing as frozen meatballs until heated through.

Can I make this gluten free?

Yes. Use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and check that the onion soup mix and frozen meatballs are gluten free. Serve over gluten-free noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice. Many brands now offer gluten-free options that work well in this recipe.

How can I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?

Remove a cup of the sauce to a small bowl and whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth. Stir the slurry back into the crockpot and cook uncovered on high for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Alternatively, mash a few meatballs against the side of the pot to naturally thicken it.

Will the sour cream curdle if I add it directly to simmering sauce?

It can if added too hot. Temper the sour cream by whisking in a few spoonfuls of hot sauce from the pot first, then stir the warmed sour cream into the whole pot off the heat or on the lowest setting. This keeps the texture creamy and smooth.

How long can leftovers stay in the fridge?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Easy Swedish Meatballs Crockpot Recipe 2026

Name: Easy Swedish Meatballs Crockpot Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup; 14.5 oz beef broth; 2 tbsp A1 Steak Sauce; 1 pkg onion soup mix; 28 oz frozen meatballs; 1 cup sour cream; 1 bag egg noodles (prepared according to package directions); 1 tsp parsley (optional garnish)

Description

A comforting and easy slow-cooked Swedish meatballs dish that brings warmth and flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
14.5 oz beef broth
2 tbsp A1 Steak Sauce
1 pkg onion soup mix
28 oz frozen meatballs
1 cup sour cream
1 bag egg noodles (prepared according to package directions)
1 tsp parsley (optional garnish)

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Instructions

In your crockpot, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, A1 Steak Sauce, and onion soup mix until smooth.
Add the frozen meatballs to the crockpot and stir them until coated with the sauce.
Cover and let the meatballs simmer on low for about 3-4 hours.
At the end of cooking, stir in the sour cream, tempered with a few spoonfuls of hot sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Notes

You can use homemade meatballs if preferred. For a thicker sauce, remove the lid towards the end of cooking to vent.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 180 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 60mg