Description
Delicious chicken meatballs made with ricotta cheese served in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1.5 pounds (700 grams) ground chicken or turkey
- 6 ounces (approximately 3/4 cup) whole milk ricotta
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- 6 bacon strips
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cooking cream (35% fat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 ounces (150 grams) baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (235°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with milk and set aside to soak for 2 minutes.
- Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetable mixture with ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix just until combined.
- Shape into 18-20 (2.5-inch) meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp on the outside and cooked through.
- In a large skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, then melt butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly.
- Pour in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Simmer for 2 more minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Serve the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs and Spinach Alfredo Sauce over pasta of your choice. Sprinkle with chopped bacon and fresh parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are cooked through before serving.
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the sauce as desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg