Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken ricotta meatballs
1.5 lb (680 g) ground chicken
3/4 cup whole‑milk ricotta, well stirred
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil (for your hands + tray)
Spinach Alfredo sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil (or more butter)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk (or more cream)
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus extra to serve)
1/2 tsp kosher salt, to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
Pinch nutmeg (optional but classic)
3 packed cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional, for brightness)
To finish
Extra parsley, grated Parmesan, black pepper
Instructions
Heat oven: 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment and lightly oil it.
Mix meatballs: In a large bowl combine ground chicken, ricotta, panko, egg, Parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix gently with a fork until just combined; the mixture will be soft.
Form: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop into 20–24 golf‑ball–size meatballs (about 2 tbsp each) and set on the tray.
Bake: Bake 12 minutes. Turn the broiler to high and broil 3–5 minutes until tops are golden and centers read 165°F (74°C). Set aside; keep warm.
Make spinach Alfredo: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic; cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Pour in cream and milk; simmer gently 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly. Whisk in Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth and glossy. Stir in spinach; cook 1–2 minutes until wilted. If sauce gets too thick, loosen with a splash of milk or pasta water.
Combine: Nestle baked meatballs into the skillet of sauce and simmer 1–2 minutes so flavors marry. Squeeze in a little lemon juice if using.
Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan. Great over pasta, gnocchi, or mashed potatoes with garlic bread alongside.
Tips and swaps
Extra tender: Let the meatball mixture rest 5–10 minutes before forming so panko hydrates.
Breadcrumb swap: Use 1/3 cup fine dry breadcrumbs or 1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers.
Lighter sauce: Replace half the cream with evaporated milk; simmer a bit longer to thicken.
Add-ons: Stir in sautéed mushrooms or sun‑dried tomatoes with the spinach.
Make ahead: Bake meatballs up to 2 days ahead; rewarm in the sauce 10 minutes on low. Sauce reheats best gently with a splash of milk.
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The BEST Ranch Dressing Recipe:
•3/4c Sour Cream
•1/3c Mayonnaise
•2 tablespoons Buttermilk***
•1 1/2 teaspoons Red Wine Vinegar
•1 teaspoon Lemon Juice (fresh)
•3 Green Onions chopped**
•1-2 small Garlic Cloves grated/minced
•1 tbs fresh chopped parsley
•1 tsp onion powder
•1 tsp sugar
•1/4 tsp salt
•2 dashes hot sauce
•Fresh Ground Pepper
Blend all ingredients together until well incorporated. Best if allowed time to chill in the fridge before serving, but can be used right way.
*Feel free to add other options to customize: Buffalo wing hot sauce, chipotle Powder, dill, extra garlic, etc.
An immersion blender usually works best, and can be done in a mason jar for easy clean-up. If you use a whisk, it’ll be less smooth.
**Utilize the white portion of the onion for all 3, and then the green tender portion from ONE of the green onions, finely chopped.
***Most people don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can use milk with a few drops of an acid (vinegar or lemon juice) in order to get it to slightly curdle. I suggest whole milk, but low fat varieties will work.
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Orca aka "Killer Whale" aka hate and a "settlement plus investment = "f_ag" and hate. "Long time Companion" the movie....to draw from.
🍉 Watermelon Ice Cream in minutes!
Blend frozen watermelon + banana + Greek yogurt + honey + lime juice → freeze → scoop.
Hydrating, low-calorie & ridiculously refreshing. No machine needed!
Save this for summer!
Why have one type of cheese, when you can have four! This oozy, stretchy, ultra-cheesy Mac ‘n’ Cheese is so warming,rich and tasty. Don’t forget that all-important sprinkling of crispy bacon at the end! 😋 https://t.co/Yf75cxl0zN
#Foodie#recipe#pasta