Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce is a delicious twist on traditional meatballs, offering a lighter, yet incredibly flavorful option. The combination of ground chicken and creamy ricotta cheese creates tender, juicy meatballs that pair perfectly with a rich and velvety spinach Alfredo sauce. This dish is a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or even meal prepping for the week ahead. With the perfect balance of protein, creaminess, and a touch of greens, it’s sure to become a new favorite!

Why You’ll Love Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this dish:

Healthy and Hearty

These meatballs are made with lean ground chicken and ricotta cheese, making them a healthier alternative to traditional meatballs. The spinach Alfredo sauce adds a touch of greens, making it both indulgent and nutritious.

Creamy and Flavorful

The rich and creamy spinach Alfredo sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the tender meatballs. The blend of garlic, parmesan, and spinach creates a smooth, savory sauce that will have you coming back for more.

Easy to Make

This dish is easier than it sounds! With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a gourmet meal that doesn’t take all day to prepare.

Versatile

Serve these meatballs with your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or over rice for a customizable meal that fits your preferences.

Family-Friendly

Kids and adults alike will love the tender chicken meatballs smothered in creamy spinach Alfredo sauce. It’s a meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make these Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce:

Ground Chicken

Lean ground chicken is the base for the meatballs. It’s tender and light, offering a healthier alternative to beef or pork while still providing great flavor.

Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese makes the meatballs tender and moist. It also adds a slight creaminess that helps to balance the lean chicken.

Fresh Spinach

Spinach adds a pop of color and nutritional value to both the meatballs and the Alfredo sauce. It complements the rich sauce while adding a fresh, earthy flavor.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is key to giving the meatballs and sauce a rich, nutty flavor. It’s mixed into the meatballs and added to the sauce for an extra layer of taste.

Garlic

Garlic provides depth of flavor to both the meatballs and the sauce. It’s sautéed in butter to create a flavorful base for the Alfredo sauce.

Egg

The egg helps bind the meatball mixture together, ensuring they hold their shape while cooking.

Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs are added to the meatball mixture to give them structure and a nice texture. You can use regular or panko bread crumbs.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is the base of the creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s what makes the sauce smooth, rich, and indulgent.

Butter

Butter is used to sauté the garlic and create a silky sauce base. It adds richness to the Alfredo sauce.

Salt and Pepper

Basic seasonings like salt and pepper bring out the flavors of the meatballs and the sauce.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are in the recipe card above!)

Instructions

Ready to make these delicious Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce? Here’s how to put it all together:

1. Prepare the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, bread crumbs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined, but be careful not to overwork the mixture. Shape the mixture into 12-15 meatballs.

2. Cook the Meatballs

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little olive oil. Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.

3. Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken.

4. Add the Spinach

Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Combine Meatballs and Sauce

Return the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the meatballs and let everything simmer together for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb some of the sauce.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the chicken ricotta meatballs with spinach Alfredo sauce hot, either on their own or over pasta, zucchini noodles, or rice. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a beautiful presentation.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 450
Fat: 28g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 550mg

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

How to Serve Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Over Pasta

Serve the meatballs and spinach Alfredo sauce over a bed of your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine, for a classic Italian meal.

Over Zucchini Noodles

For a low-carb alternative, serve the meatballs with spiralized zucchini noodles or any other vegetable noodles.

With Rice

These meatballs are also delicious served over white or brown rice, soaking up all that creamy spinach Alfredo sauce.

With a Side Salad

Pair this dish with a fresh side salad to balance out the richness of the meatballs and sauce.

Additional Tips

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 2 days before cooking. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
• Add Mushrooms: If you enjoy mushrooms, sauté some sliced mushrooms in the skillet after removing the meatballs, then add them to the sauce for extra flavor.
• Adjust the Sauce: For a richer sauce, add more heavy cream or a bit of cream cheese to increase the creaminess.
• Dairy-Free Option: If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the ricotta cheese with dairy-free cream cheese and use a dairy-free heavy cream alternative for the sauce.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
A1: Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for the ground chicken in the meatballs. Turkey will give a slightly different flavor but will still work well.

Q2: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A2: Yes! You can prepare the meatballs and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.

Q3: Can I freeze the meatballs?
A3: Yes! Once the meatballs are cooked and cooled, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the sauce or by themselves.

Q4: How can I make the sauce spicier?
A4: If you prefer a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for added heat.

Q5: Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
A5: Yes, you can use frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the sauce.

Q6: How can I thicken the sauce?
A6: If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by adding a little cornstarch or a small amount of grated parmesan cheese.

Q7: Can I use a different type of cheese in the meatballs?
A7: Yes! You can substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or mascarpone for a different texture and flavor.

Q8: How do I keep the meatballs from falling apart?
A8: Be sure not to overmix the meatball mixture, and let the meatballs cook undisturbed for a few minutes before turning them to avoid them breaking apart.

Q9: Can I add other vegetables to the sauce?
A9: Yes! You can add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for added texture and flavor.

Q10: How can I make this dish lighter?
A10: You can make the sauce lighter by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and leaner ground chicken or turkey.

Conclusion

Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce is a delicious and creamy dish that combines tender, juicy meatballs with a rich and flavorful spinach Alfredo sauce. It’s the perfect comfort food that’s both hearty and healthier than traditional versions. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy every bite of this decadent, yet wholesome meal!

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