Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce. This dish features tender, juicy chicken meatballs blended with creamy ricotta and aromatic spices, all enveloped in a rich, velvety spinach Alfredo sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings, this recipe is not only simple but also packed with nutrients thanks to the addition of fresh spinach. Serve it over pasta or alongside crusty bread to soak up every delicious drop of the sauce, making it a meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups spinach (finely chopped)
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 medium onion (diced very finely)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg yolk OR ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste and for serving if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, sweet paprika, diced onion, salt, and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly until well combined and shape into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While meatballs bake, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream; thicken with either an egg yolk or flour as directed. Stir in chopped spinach and cook until tender.
- Add baked meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (approximately 100g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg