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Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

These Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce are tender, flavorful meatballs made with ground chicken, ricotta, and sun-dried tomatoes, baked to perfection and served in a creamy homemade spinach Alfredo sauce enriched with crispy bacon and Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a comforting dinner that’s both hearty and elegant.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1.5 lb ground chicken or ground turkey
  • 6 oz whole milk ricotta (approximately 3/4 cup)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt or as needed

Spinach Alfredo Sauce

  • 6 bacon strips
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream (35% fat)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 5 oz baby spinach (approximately 150 grams)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Soften Breadcrumbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Allow them to sit for a few minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and soften, creating a moist base for the meatballs.
  3. Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, ground chicken or turkey, ricotta, egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix everything well until evenly combined to ensure flavorful meatballs.
  4. Form Meatballs: Using a scoop or your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden on the outside. Check doneness by ensuring an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Cook Bacon: While the meatballs bake, cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces for garnish.
  7. Prepare Alfredo Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  8. Simmer Cream: Pour in heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly, then season with salt and pepper.
  9. Add Parmesan and Spinach: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the baby spinach and cook just until wilted, blending it seamlessly into the sauce.
  10. Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Transfer the baked meatballs into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat the meatballs well. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb flavor.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped crispy bacon and fresh parsley over the dish before serving to add texture and brighten the flavors.

Notes

  • Ensure the internal temperature of meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  • If you prefer, ground turkey can be substituted for ground chicken with similar results.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add a lovely depth of flavor; soak them briefly if they are too dry before chopping.
  • For a lighter sauce, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute half with milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Leftover meatballs and sauce keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach Alfredo sauce, chicken meatballs recipe, Italian meatballs, creamy sauce meatballs, healthy baked meatballs

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/baked-chicken-ricotta-meatballs-with-spinach-alfredo-sauce-recipe/