Description
Tender chicken and ricotta meatballs baked to perfection and served in a creamy, spinach-studded Alfredo sauce—a comforting yet lighter twist on classic meatballs and pasta dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for skillet, if using)
- For sauce: 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or baby spinach)
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet or grease an oven-safe skillet.
- In a bowl, gently combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Shape mixture into 12–16 even meatballs (~1½ inches) and place on the prepared pan.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until lightly golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Whisk in Parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer baked meatballs into the skillet, gently stirring to coat with sauce. Warm for 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve over pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or on its own with extra sauce spooned on top.
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken with turkey or lean pork for a different flavor.
- Stir in sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for extra depth.
- Use baby spinach or frozen spinach (thawed and drained) if fresh isn’t available.
- For a lighter sauce, use milk thickened with a tablespoon of flour instead of cream.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a warming, flavorful twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
