Swedish 'Meatballs' with Cauliflower Purée and Gravy
These Swedish-style vegetarian 'meatballs' are made from lentils, oats, onions and fresh herbs, served with a silky cauliflower purée and a rich gravy. The Thermomix TM7 grinds, mixes and steams every component, delivering a comforting plant-based main course with authentic Scandinavian flavours and a velvety texture.
About this recipe
Swedish 'meatballs' with cauliflower purée and gravy is a Thermomix TM7 recipe that reimagines the Scandinavian classic as a hearty plant-based dinner. Searching for vegetarian meatball recipes or a quick weeknight dinner made in an all-in-one kitchen machine? This version replaces meat with protein-rich dried lentils and rolled oats, bound with onion, garlic, fresh parsley and thyme for that unmistakable Swedish herbiness. The TM7 grinds the oats into a fine flour-like base, kneads the mixture into firm balls, and steams them gently while the cauliflower cooks below into a cloud-soft purée. Finally, the gravy simmers in the same bowl with precise heat, so nothing burns and every drop of flavour is captured. Serve this comforting main course on cold evenings, for a festive meat-free Sunday lunch, or whenever you crave IKEA-style meatballs without the meat — cosy, satisfying and entirely homemade.
Preparation tips
- Chill the lentil and oat mixture thoroughly before rolling the balls; cold mixture firms up the 'meatballs' so they keep their shape beautifully during steaming in the Varoma.
- Reserve a ladle of the cauliflower cooking liquid before puréeing; adding it gradually gives you a silky, restaurant-style consistency without any cream or butter.
- For a deeper gravy flavour, brown the onions and garlic patiently before adding the liquid, and finish with a splash of soy sauce and a pinch of smoked paprika for that Swedish savoury depth.
Recipe variations
- Gluten-free version: replace the rolled oats with certified gluten-free oats or buckwheat flakes, and thicken the gravy with cornflour instead of flour — the lentil balls stay just as firm and the gravy equally glossy.
- Festive winter variant: add a pinch of nutmeg and allspice to the lentil balls and stir cranberry sauce through the gravy for a Scandinavian Christmas touch, served with extra thyme and roasted seasonal vegetables.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Grinding the rolled oats into a fine flour gives the lentil 'meatballs' a firm, tender crumb without any added binder.
- Kneading the lentil and oat mixture evenly in seconds ensures every Swedish 'meatballe holds together during steaming.
- Steaming the cauliflower florets in the Varoma preserves their delicate flavour while the balls cook above simultaneously.
- Heating the gravy with precise temperature control keeps it silky without sticking or burning to the bowl.
- Chopping the onions and garlic uniformly releases their sweetness evenly throughout the herby meatball mixture.
Ingredients
- rolled oats
- fresh parsley
- fresh thyme
- dried green lentils
- water
- garlic cloves
- onions
- olive oil
- chestnut mushrooms
- fine sea salt