Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
Servings: 4–6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Ingredients
For the chicken ricotta meatballs:
500 g ground chicken
1 cup ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
For the spinach Alfredo sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed & drained)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but adds great flavor)
Instructions
1. Prepare the meatballs
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine:
ground chicken
ricotta
Parmesan
breadcrumbs
egg
garlic
parsley
Italian seasoning
salt & pepper
Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix or meatballs will be tough).
Shape into small balls (about golf-ball size).
Place on the baking tray and lightly brush or drizzle with olive oil.
2. Bake the meatballs
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F).
Set aside.
3. Make the spinach Alfredo sauce
In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add spinach and cook until wilted (2–3 minutes).
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Let the sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine
Add the baked meatballs to the sauce.
Spoon sauce over them and let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
Serving Ideas
Serve hot with:
Garlic bread
Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus
Mashed potatoes
Pasta or creamy polenta
Fresh green salad
Tips for best results
Ricotta keeps the meatballs extra soft and juicy.
If the mixture feels too wet, add a little more breadcrumbs.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
You can swap chicken with turkey if preferred.
