Description
Enjoy a delicious and comforting dish of Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs paired with a creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce. Tender ground chicken meatballs blended with ricotta, Parmesan, and Italian herbs are baked to perfection and served with a rich Alfredo sauce infused with fresh spinach and melted mozzarella. This recipe balances protein and creamy textures for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Spinach Alfredo Sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form meatballs: Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Bake meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Alfredo sauce: While the meatballs are baking, heat the heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat, bringing it just to a simmer.
- Add spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the cream and cook until the spinach is fully wilted, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
- Serve: Once the meatballs are fully cooked, plate them and generously spoon the warm spinach Alfredo sauce over the top. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten free.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- The meatballs can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.
- Make sure the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
