Some of the best family dinners are the ones that start with almost no fuss at all. This cozy slow cooker meal leans on a handful of pantry and freezer staples to turn into something rich, creamy, and comforting by dinnertime, with all the ease of letting the crock pot do the work while the house fills with that supper-is-coming feeling.
These meatballs are especially good served over hot egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice so you can catch every bit of the creamy sauce. I also like to add a simple green vegetable on the side, like steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp cucumber salad, to round out the plate and keep dinner feeling balanced and homey.
4-Ingredient Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 (32-ounce) bag frozen meatballs
2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup beef broth
1 cup sour cream
Directions
1. Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker. Spoon in the cream of mushroom soup and pour in the beef broth.
2. Stir gently to coat the meatballs as evenly as you can with the soup and broth mixture.
3. Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is hot.
4. Turn off the slow cooker and stir in the sour cream until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers a very smooth sauce, whisk the soup and broth together before adding them to the slow cooker so the gravy comes out extra even and creamy.
Serve it different ways: These meatballs are lovely over egg noodles, but they are just as comforting over mashed potatoes, white rice, or even toasted bread for an easy open-faced supper.
Make it a little richer: For an extra velvety finish, let the sour cream sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before stirring it in so it blends more smoothly into the hot sauce.
Don't let it boil after adding sour cream: Once the sour cream goes in, keep the slow cooker on warm or turn it off completely. That helps the sauce stay silky instead of separating.
Add a little color: A sprinkle of chopped parsley on top and a side of green beans or peas makes this very simple dinner look a little more special on the table.