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Home » recipes » Betty Draper’s Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Betty Draper’s Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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Posted:4/2/15
Updated:10/15/19
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Betty Draper’s Swedish Meatballs Recipe – classic dish straight from Mad Men!

“Hot or cold? Swedish meatballs or chicken salad” asks Betty Draper when Don comes home late from work one evening.  Don chooses the chicken salad, but in my opinion he misses out. Betty’s Swedish Meatballs are where the magic is at.

If you’re reading this and wondering who Betty Draper or Don it, let me grab you for a quick hug and tell you what you’re missing out on.   The Drapers (or previously were – no spoilers!) are 2 of the main characters on the hit show Mad Men which I’ve been obsessed with since the beginning.   On Sunday night they will air the first episode from the final season – weep weep.   If you’re a Mad Men fan, do you have predictions?  How’s it going to end?  How’s Don going to end up?  Are you rooting for him?  Do you think Don Draper is amazingly sexy no matter what horrible things he does?  Me too, I can’t help it.  Smoking, drinking, overtly sexual, heart breaker, etc. “Don Draper cheats on his wife, never does any housework, hardly spends time with his kids—he shouldn’t be sexy, but he is.”    All the things that your mother told you to stay way from.  Except with Don he chases you in and you’re like “Ok”. Why do you have to be so complicated Mr. Draper?

I’m rooting for Don.  He’s living the American dream that he’s earned since his not so great upbringings.  I’m not sure if he’ll ever be able to get rid of the demons in his closet, but I hope we get some clarity for him. After all, this is the guy who pitched the Kodak Carousel, one of the greatest memories of the show.  

Now back to Betty Draper, or Betty Francis if you want to be official.  Betty’s Nordic heritage might mean she knows a few things about Swedish meatballs so in this recipe we’re celebrating the Drapers and Mad Men.     These Swedish Meatballs are covered in a delicious cream based sauce that will have you licking your plate.  Serve them over some egg noodles, with some mashed potatoes on the side and you have the perfect dinner!

Bettys Swedish Meatballs Recipe Mad Men

Bettys Swedish Meatballs Recipe Mad Men_1

Bettys Swedish Meatballs Recipe Mad Men_2

Bettys Swedish Meatballs Recipe Mad Men_3

Bettys Swedish Meatballs Recipe Mad Men_4

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Betty Draper's Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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Betty Draper's Swedish Meatballs Recipe - classic dish straight from Mad Men!
serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup finely grated onion
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 beef bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup of boiling water
  • 1/2 cup light cream

Instructions

  • Soften bread crumbs in milk in a mixing bowl. Drain excess milk. Add beef, onions, egg, salt, pepper and nutmeg and mix and combine with hands.
  • Shape into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Melt butter in a large skillet; add meatballs and brown over medium low heat. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking dish.
  • Whisk flour into pan drippings and blend well. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Gradually add beef broth to the flour mixture, stirring constantly until smooth. Add cream. Continue cooking or approximately 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens.
  • Add meatballs to sauce, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce is of desired consistency. Serve warm.

Notes

Serve these over egg noodles for dinner.
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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  1. Chris @ Shared Appetite says

    April 23, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    I have to admit that I (brace yourself) don’t actually watch Mad Men. I’ve heard it’s awesome though! And these swedish meatballs totally bring back such awesome memories of childhood. My mom would make them all the time for us!

    Reply
  2. CakeSpy says

    April 9, 2015 at 10:11 am

    I LOVE this type of recipe. Retro and so satisfying! <3

    Reply
  3. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

    April 7, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    Oooh seriously craving meatballs now! These looks so scrumptious!!!

    Reply
  4. Carol at Wild Goose says

    April 6, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    I know nothing about the characters. I watch very little TV, but I do LOVE meatballs. They are on my menu for this week. What a FAB version. I tried to pin it, but it didn’t happen. BUT I will remember!

    I don’t normally talk about ME, but please make note of the slight name change from Wild Goose Tea. Plus I have a new web design—whoopee and some new features coming on.

    Reply
  5. Zainab says

    April 6, 2015 at 12:24 am

    Ahhhh!! I know Don is so sexy and I am routing for him this season. He needs a happy ending…yet needs to deal with his skeletons. Anyway…can’t wait for the end. these meatballs do look amazing and have Betty written all over it.

    Reply
  6. PM @ Simple Beauty Tips says

    April 5, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    I love Swedish meatballs! And the sauce, the sauce is what makes them so delicious!

    Reply
  7. Mary Frances says

    April 5, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    Meatballs are the key to my heart. Nothing says comfort food like meatballs! I remember the first time we had Swedish meatballs as part of a geography project (food always makes school better 🙂 ) but it was love at first taste. So so good!

    Reply
  8. Lux Ganzon says

    April 5, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    I like the fashion inspired by Mad Men.
    But most of all, those meatballs!

    Happy Easter!

    Reply
  9. Launna says

    April 4, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    I have never seen Mad Men… I have heard lots about the show… it sounds intriguing but I keep telling myself I shouldn’t add another show… Maybe in the Fall, I am going to be super busy this Spring and Summer with exercising… the meatballs look delicious Pamela xox

    Reply
  10. Betty says

    April 3, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    I love watching Mad Men and remembering the styles from the era. My mom didn’t make Swedish Meatballs, but I had friends whose moms did. 🙂 These look good!

    Reply
  11. Kate @ framed Cooks says

    April 3, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    I’m in complete denial that this is the last season…I think I need to make me a big plate of Swedish Meatballs to cheer myself up. YUM!

    Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    April 3, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    I’ve never watched Mad Men before bit I sure would like to eat some of these Swedish Meatballs!

    Reply
  13. [email protected] says

    April 3, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Which world have I been living in??!! I need to watch Mad Men like now!!! And these meatballs! Seriously he is missing out! 😉

    Reply
  14. Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says

    April 3, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    I used to make Swedish Meatballs quite often when my sons still lived at home, except my version included mushroom soup in the sauce….they were pretty tasty! You know, I have some ground beef in the fridge – it’s leftover from something I’m planning to post tomorrow – and I didn’t know what to do with – BUT – now I do!!! ; o )

    Reply
  15. Debra says

    April 3, 2015 at 9:04 am

    Do you need a cocktail to go along with that? I am sad this is the end but I do want to know how everyone turns out.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      April 3, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Feel free to have a cocktail with it Debra.

      Reply
  16. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    April 2, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    Fabulous post, Pamela! My favorite pitch that Don ever made was for the Kodak Carousel as well. Such a complex character. We adore Don but abhor many of his actions. I have relished each Mad Men ep since the series began. Thanks for sharing your Swedish Meatballs recipe inspired by Betty Draper!

    Reply
  17. Ashley says

    April 2, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    For some reason I stopped watching Mad Men after a few seasons … but now you’re making me regret it! Meatballs are always a good idea – they look delicious!

    Reply

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