Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Recipe
These Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo are a comforting and creamy dish featuring tender baked chicken meatballs blended with creamy ricotta cheese. Served in a rich spinach Alfredo sauce, this recipe combines wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Using your hands or a scoop, shape the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
- Prepare the spinach Alfredo sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the Alfredo sauce and stir in chopped fresh spinach. Cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer meatballs in the sauce: Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the spinach Alfredo sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the flavors and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot, spooning extra spinach Alfredo sauce over them. Enjoy with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If you want a lighter sauce, use a low-fat Alfredo sauce or substitute half the Alfredo with milk.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen before baking.
Keywords: chicken meatballs, ricotta, spinach Alfredo, baked meatballs, comfort food, creamy sauce
