Never Lose Track of Your Favorite Recipes.
Save, organize into collections, plan your meals, and shop the ingredients—all in one free app.
Recipe By: Ampocernich
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray or drizzle for baking
- For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg
- Optional for serving:
- Cooked pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Extra grated Parmesan on top
Get the App
Directions
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with oil or cooking spray.
- Mix meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork the mixture.
- Use a small scoop or your hands to form 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- While baking, make the sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 more minute, whisking constantly.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (if using). Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add baked meatballs into the sauce, gently coating them. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve over pasta or rice, or enjoy them on their own with crusty bread. Garnish with herbs and extra Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
- Kcal: 450 kcal per serving (without pasta) | Servings: 4–5 servings
Chrome Extension
