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Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 33 reviews

These Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs are tender and flavorful, baked to golden perfection and served in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce. A comforting yet lighter alternative to traditional meatballs, they pair perfectly with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 3 tbsp olive oil (divided)

Spinach Alfredo Sauce

  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the meatballs don’t stick and cook evenly.
  2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
  3. Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake Meatballs: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Cook Spinach: While the meatballs are in the oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Prepare Alfredo Sauce: To the wilted spinach, add heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan, milk, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir continuously and cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  7. Toss Meatballs in Sauce: Once meatballs are baked, transfer them directly into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Gently toss to coat all meatballs evenly with the sauce.
  8. Serve: Serve the meatballs and creamy spinach sauce over your preferred base such as pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Substitute ground turkey or a mix of ground chicken and pork for different flavor and texture.
  • Add finely chopped onion or bell peppers into the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
  • For a low-carb option, serve meatballs over sautéed zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.
  • To add spice, include red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the Alfredo sauce.
  • If breadcrumbs are not available, crushed crackers or oats can be used as binding agents.

Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach Alfredo sauce, creamy meatballs, healthy meatballs, chicken dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/baked-chicken-ricotta-meatballs-with-spinach-alfredo-sauce-recipe/