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Chicken Ricotta Meatballs In Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Savory Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Enjoy this comforting Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce that's perfect for family gatherings and picky eaters alike.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1 medium Onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic freshly minced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley or dried parsley
  • 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • 1 lb Ground Chicken or Turkey lean ground beef can be used
  • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese cottage cheese can be replaced
  • 1 large Egg for egg-free, use a flax egg
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated recommended
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1 tsp Salt to taste
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce
  • 4 slices Bacon can be omitted for vegetarian
  • 1/4 cup Butter can substitute with olive oil
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream for lighter, use half-and-half
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach or frozen can suffice
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Food processor
  • Skillet

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (235°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Soak the Italian breadcrumbs in milk for approximately 2 minutes, then set aside.
  3. Finely chop the onion, garlic, fresh parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes using a food processor.
  4. Combine chopped veggies, ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt in a mixing bowl, mixing gently.
  5. Shape mixture into 18-20 equal portions and place them on the lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake the meatballs in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Fry bacon in a skillet until crispy, remove, and set aside. Melt butter in the same skillet and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
  8. Whisk in heavy cream and grated Parmesan into the skillet for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
  9. Add fresh spinach to the skillet, cooking until wilted, then add the baked meatballs.
  10. Serve over pasta or creamy polenta, garnished with bacon bits and parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Avoid over-mixing meatball mixture for tender results. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

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