Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
This cozy comfort dish combines tender baked chicken meatballs enriched with creamy ricotta and Parmesan with a rich, velvety spinach Alfredo sauce. It’s perfect served over pasta, rice, or with warm bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs
1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
3 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup milk
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Meatballs
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
ground chicken
ricotta cheese
egg
Parmesan
breadcrumbs
minced garlic
parsley
salt, pepper, and paprika
Mix gently until just combined (do not overmix or the meatballs will be dense).
Shape the mixture into golf-ball sized meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.
Drizzle the meatballs lightly with olive oil.
2️⃣ Bake the Meatballs
Place the tray in the oven.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through (internal temperature about 165°F / 74°C).
3️⃣ Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped spinach and sauté for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring gently.
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4️⃣ Combine
Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce.
Gently toss so the meatballs are fully coated.
Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes so the flavors blend.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these creamy chicken meatballs with:
Fettuccine or spaghetti
Steamed rice
Garlic bread
Mashed potatoes
Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for the best flavor.
Tip: If you want even more flavor, add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture.
