Description
These Southern-style baked chicken ricotta meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Infused with a touch of Southern seasoning, they pair perfectly with a rich and creamy spinach Alfredo sauce. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
½ cup ricotta cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
1 egg
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
For the Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, and parsley. Mix until just combined.
Using a tablespoon or small scoop, form meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
To Serve:
Toss the baked chicken ricotta meatballs in the spinach Alfredo sauce or serve the sauce over them.
Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or Cajun seasoning to the meatballs.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking & Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern-Italian Fusion
Keywords: Chicken Meatballs, Ricotta, Spinach Alfredo, Baked Meatballs, Southern Style