These Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce are a delicious and creamy dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. The tender meatballs paired with the rich and flavorful sauce make for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional:
- Cooked pasta, for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Make Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs:
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden.
- Prepare Sauce:
- While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the sauce until it has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Finish Sauce:
- Add the chopped spinach to the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the spinach is wilted and well incorporated into the sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve the baked meatballs over cooked pasta.
- Top with the spinach Alfredo sauce.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
Helpful Tips:
- Meatball Consistency: If the meatball mixture is too sticky, add a bit more breadcrumbs to achieve the right consistency.
- Sauté Time: Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing; it should be lightly golden and fragrant.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach works best for this recipe, but you can also use frozen spinach (thawed and drained) if needed.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair this dish with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for a bit of heat.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables for added nutrition.
FAQs:
- Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken? Yes, ground turkey can be used as a substitute for ground chicken.
- Can I make the meatballs ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.
- What type of pasta works best? Any type of pasta can be used, but fettuccine or penne are great choices for holding the sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: Approximately 450 kcal per serving
Enjoy these flavorful and comforting Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce for a delightful meal that’s sure to impress!
Recipe Card
Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
These Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce are a delicious and creamy dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. The tender meatballs paired with the rich and flavorful sauce make for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- – 1 lb ground chicken
- – 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- – 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- – 1 egg
- – 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- – 2 cloves garlic minced
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- – 2 tablespoons butter
- – 1 clove garlic minced
- – 1 cup heavy cream
- – 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- – 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- – Salt and pepper to taste
Additional:
- – Cooked pasta for serving
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Make Meatballs:
- – In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- – Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- – Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake Meatballs:
- – Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden.
Prepare Sauce:
- – While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- – Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- – Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
- – Cook the sauce until it has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
Finish Sauce:
- – Add the chopped spinach to the sauce.
- – Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the spinach is wilted and well incorporated into the sauce.
Serve:
- – Serve the baked meatballs over cooked pasta.
- – Top with the spinach Alfredo sauce.
- – Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.