Easy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Creamy Spinach Sauce Recipe
Succulent chicken ricotta meatballs promise a delightful culinary adventure that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.
Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance through these tender, protein-packed spheres of deliciousness.
Smooth ricotta cheese infuses each morsel with incredible moisture and richness.
Unexpected spices and herbs intertwine, creating a symphony of taste that captivates your palate.
The accompanying creamy spinach sauce adds luxurious depth and complexity to every bite.
Delicate yet robust, these meatballs offer a perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.
You will find this recipe irresistibly satisfying and surprisingly simple to master.
Explore a meal that enhances an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.
Ingredients for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Creamy Spinach Sauce
Meatball Ingredients:Sauce Ingredients:Serving Suggestion:Step-by-Step for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Sauce
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Mix Meatball Ingredients
Gather your meatball components:Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Gently mix until everything is evenly distributed. Avoid overworking the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
Step 3: Shape Delightful Meatballs
Roll the mixture into 1-inch round meatballs using your hands. Place each meatball carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them for even cooking.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Create Creamy Spinach Sauce
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken.
Step 6: Finish the Sauce
Add chopped fresh spinach to the cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes luxuriously creamy and smooth.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Place the golden meatballs over your favorite pasta. Generously drizzle the velvety spinach cream sauce on top. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors.
Helpful Tips for Making Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Shine
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Sauce
Perfect Pairings for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs
Twists on Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Sauce
FAQs for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Sauce
Yes, ground turkey is an excellent substitute and will work perfectly with the same seasonings and preparation method.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or cut one open to ensure there’s no pink in the center.
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and use low-fat ricotta and Parmesan to reduce the overall calorie content while maintaining great flavor.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Creamy Spinach Sauce
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Chicken Ricotta Meatballs With Creamy Spinach Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent chicken ricotta meatballs dance in a silky spinach sauce, delivering Mediterranean comfort on a plate. Delicate herbs and ricotta cheese elevate these tender morsels, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground chicken
- ½ cup (120 ml/120 grams) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
Cheese Ingredients:
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- ½ cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Serving:
- Cooked pasta
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a robust 400°F, preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet for the meatballs.
- Mix ground chicken with ricotta, creating a smooth protein base that ensures tender texture. Incorporate grated Parmesan, a beaten egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, and a blend of Italian herbs for depth of flavor.
- Gently shape the mixture into uniform spherical meatballs, approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to promote uniform heat circulation and golden exterior development.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior and thoroughly cooked interior.
- While meatballs bake, craft the luxurious spinach sauce by melting butter in a saucepan and softening fresh garlic until fragrant.
- Stream heavy cream into the butter-garlic base, whisking continuously to create a smooth foundation. Fold in Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and integrate seamlessly.
- Simmer the sauce gently, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and encourage thickening. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon elegantly.
- Introduce freshly chopped spinach to the creamy mixture, stirring until the leaves wilt and incorporate completely. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Once meatballs are perfectly cooked, nestle them atop your preferred pasta and lavish with the vibrant, creamy spinach sauce. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Whip up these tender chicken meatballs packed with ricotta for a protein-rich, creamy delight that elevates your typical meatball recipe.
- Baking instead of frying ensures a healthier meal with less oil and mess, while achieving a beautifully golden exterior.
- Choose fresh, high-quality Parmesan cheese to enhance the overall flavor profile and create a more authentic Italian-inspired dish.
- Perfectly season your meatballs with Italian herbs and garlic to infuse depth and aromatic notes throughout the meat mixture.
- The creamy spinach sauce transforms ordinary meatballs into an elegant, restaurant-style meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the optimal texture of crisp meatball edges and luxuriously smooth sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Isabella Rossi
Founder & Culinary Content Creator
Expertise
Recipe Development, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education
Education
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology
Ballymaloe Cookery School
Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life.
His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.
He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.