Juicy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet spectacular meals that delight both palate and soul.

These succulent chicken ricotta meatballs nestled in a creamy spinach alfredo sauce promise a culinary adventure that breaks free from ordinary weeknight routines.

Rich, velvety, and packed with delicate flavors, this recipe blends comfort and elegance in every bite.

Lean ground chicken mingles with smooth ricotta, creating meatballs that practically melt on your tongue.

Fresh herbs and subtle seasonings elevate these tender spheres from basic to extraordinary.

The silky spinach alfredo sauce drapes each meatball in luxurious, green-flecked magnificence.

You’ll fall in love with this restaurant-quality dish that comes together effortlessly in your own kitchen.

Prepare to savor a meal that transforms an average evening into a gourmet experience.

Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Baking sheet: Needed for even cooking and golden meatballs.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Skillet: Perfect for creating creamy Alfredo sauce.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending cheese into cream.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Sharp knife: Helps chop spinach and garlic precisely.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Useful for stirring sauce and coating meatballs.

Instructions for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Alfredo

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, getting ready for some serious meatball.

• Craft Flavor-Packed Meatballs

Dive into a mixing bowl and combine ground chicken, creamy ricotta, sharp Parmesan, crunchy breadcrumbs, a single egg, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Squeeze and mix until everything hugs together perfectly.

• Shape and Bake

Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized rounds, placing them carefully on the prepared baking sheet. Pop them into the hot oven and let them transform into golden, crispy meatballs in about 18-20 minutes.

• Create Silky Spinach Sauce

Melt butter in a large skillet, then dance some garlic around until it releases its fragrant charm. Pour in heavy cream and let it bubble gently. Whisk in Parmesan until the sauce becomes luxuriously smooth.

• Add Leafy Goodness

Toss chopped spinach into the creamy sauce, letting it wilt and add a pop of green. Season with a whisper of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavors.

• Bring It All Together

Nestle the golden meatballs into the spinach Alfredo sauce, coating them in creamy deliciousness. Serve over your favorite pasta or alongside crusty bread for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Flavor Tips for Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs

• Prepare meatballs and sauce ahead of time, storing separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners that stay fresh up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly version that maintains the meatballs' delicious texture and flavor profile.
• Swap ricotta and Parmesan with nutritional yeast and cashew cream to create a plant-based friendly alternative that still delivers rich, creamy indulgence.
• For extra protein punch, incorporate finely chopped spinach directly into the meatball mixture, enhancing nutritional value and adding subtle green complexity to the dish.
• Introduce red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne into the Alfredo sauce for those craving a subtle heat that complements the creamy chicken meatballs without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Serving Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Elegance

• Pasta Paradise: Serve these meatballs over fettuccine or linguine, allowing the creamy Alfredo sauce to coat every strand for a luxurious dining experience.
• Zucchini Noodle Delight: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb, veggie-packed alternative that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Pair the meatballs and sauce with a crusty garlic bread or artisan sourdough to soak up every delicious drop of the spinach Alfredo.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top for a burst of color and added freshness that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.

Storage Tips for Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs

• Whip up a double batch of meatballs and freeze half for quick future meals. Simply cool completely, place in airtight containers, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Cooked meatballs and sauce stay fresh in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Keep sauce and meatballs separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Warm meatballs gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to retain moisture. For the sauce, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Divide leftovers into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Stack containers in the refrigerator for convenient, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.

FAQs

• Why use ricotta in meatballs?

Ricotta adds incredible moisture and creates a lighter, more tender texture to chicken meatballs. It helps prevent the meatballs from becoming dry and dense, making them more delicious and soft.

• Can I use different herbs in the meatballs?

Yes, you can substitute parsley with fresh basil, oregano, or thyme. These herbs will bring unique flavors and complement the chicken and ricotta perfectly.

• Is it necessary to use heavy cream in the Alfredo sauce?

Heavy cream creates the rich, luxurious texture of traditional Alfredo sauce. For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less creamy and rich.

• How can I ensure my meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C). This guarantees the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat while maintaining a juicy texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes into Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein base that creates juicy, tender meatballs with lighter texture compared to beef.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds incredible moisture and soft creaminess to prevent dry meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, savory flavor and helps bind ingredients together.
• Breadcrumbs: Absorbs moisture and creates perfect meatball structure and cohesion.
• Egg: Natural binding agent that helps hold meatball ingredients together.

• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic depth to both meatballs and sauce.
• Parsley: Adds fresh herbal brightness and color to meatball mixture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate overall taste profile.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth foundation for creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Generates luxurious, silky sauce texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes intense, nutty flavor and helps thicken sauce.
• Spinach: Introduces vibrant color, nutritional boost, and earthy undertones.
• Nutmeg: Provides subtle, warm background note to complement creamy sauce.

Tender Chicken Ricotta Meatballs With Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken ricotta meatballs swim in creamy spinach alfredo sauce, offering a comforting Italian-inspired dish. Family and friends will savor these tender, flavorful morsels that elevate weeknight dinner expectations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
• 1 cup spinach, fresh, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• ¼ cup parsley, fresh, finely chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Meatball Composition: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, and seasoning, blending ingredients with a light touch until uniformly mixed.
2. Shaping and Roasting: Form mixture into uniform 1 1/2-inch spheres on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then slide into a preheated 400F (200C) oven, roasting until golden and fully cooked, approximately 18-20 minutes.
3. Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and sautéing until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, bringing to a gentle simmer while whisking in Parmesan cheese.
4. Spinach Integration: Fold chopped spinach leaves into the developing Alfredo sauce, allowing them to wilt and meld seamlessly. Enhance with delicate touches of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
5. Final Assembly: Transfer roasted meatballs directly into the spinach-infused Alfredo sauce, gently coating each piece. Serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or alongside crusty bread.

Notes

Manage Meat Moisture: Mix ground chicken with ricotta carefully to prevent dry meatballs, ensuring smooth blending without overmixing to maintain tender texture.

Avoid Overcrowding Pan: Space meatballs evenly on baking sheet for consistent golden-brown exterior and thorough cooking, preventing steaming instead of roasting.

Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk Parmesan slowly into cream, maintaining medium-low heat to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy, creating smooth silky finish.

Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour for gluten-free version, use low-fat ricotta for lighter preparation, or replace heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 528 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 575 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg