Nordic Meatball Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

This hearty stew combines tender beef meatballs with root vegetables simmered in a savory broth. This Nordic-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 medium parsnips, peeled and diced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs soaked in 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until combined and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked; remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, add diced 2 medium carrots, 1 medium parsnip, and 2 medium cubed potatoes. Sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to create a roux.
5. Step 5: Gradually add 4 cups beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add 1 tsp fresh thyme and bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Return the meatballs to the pot, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender and meatballs cooked through. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.