Description
Succulent chicken spinach ricotta meatballs meld Mediterranean flavors with classic Italian comfort. Creamy alfredo sauce envelops tender meatballs, inviting you to savor each rich, harmonious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Cooked pasta
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Meatball Formation: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Gently mix until ingredients are evenly distributed, then shape into uniform 1-inch meatballs.
- Baking Process: Arrange meatballs on prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each, and roast for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce Creation: While meatballs cook, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, then pour in heavy cream, whisking continuously.
- Sauce Refinement: Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Introduce chopped spinach, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
- Serving: Place meatballs over prepared pasta, drench with creamy spinach Alfredo sauce, and optionally sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese for garnish.
Notes
- Meat Moisture Management: Mix ingredients gently to prevent dense, tough meatballs; overmixing can make chicken meatballs dry and compact.
- Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm chicken meatballs reach 165°F internally, ensuring food safety without overcooking.
- Cheese Selection Tip: Choose full-fat ricotta for maximum tenderness and rich flavor; low-fat versions can make meatballs less juicy and cohesive.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk Alfredo sauce continuously and remove from heat promptly to prevent separation or burning, maintaining a smooth, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg