Description
These Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach are a healthy and delicious twist on traditional meatballs. Packed with lean chicken, creamy ricotta, and nutrient-rich spinach, they’re perfect for a low-carb meal or a savory snack. Baked to perfection for a lighter take on comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional for binding)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for greasing or drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture – In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs (if using), egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
- Form the Meatballs – Use your hands to form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs – Drizzle the meatballs with a little olive oil, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Serve – Serve the meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce, on top of pasta, or with a side of steamed vegetables. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer, you can substitute the ground chicken with lean ground turkey.
- To make the meatballs even more flavorful, you can add herbs like basil or parsley to the mixture.
- For a gluten-free version, omit the breadcrumbs or substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- For added moisture, you can mix in a tablespoon or two of olive oil or tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 115mg