Description
Juicy chicken meatballs enriched with creamy ricotta, baked to golden perfection and smothered in a luxurious spinach Alfredo sauce. Comforting, family-friendly, and a bit fancy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for meatballs)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil or nonstick spray
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and lightly oil or spray it.
- In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, ricotta, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Form into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Add nutmeg if using.
- Transfer baked meatballs to the sauce, turn to coat, and let flavors meld on low heat for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve hot with extra parsley, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Try green onions or red pepper flakes for extra garnish.
- Serve with buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.
- Use ground turkey if preferred.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.