Description
Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo features juicy baked chicken meatballs blended with creamy ricotta and Parmesan, served in a rich, velvety spinach Alfredo sauce for elegant comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until evenly combined.
3. Shape mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Drizzle meatballs with olive oil and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté chopped spinach until wilted, about 3–4 minutes.
6. Add heavy cream, grated Parmesan, milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously and simmer for 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
7. Transfer baked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the spinach Alfredo sauce.
8. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice, and garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Substitute ground turkey or a mix of chicken and pork for variation.
Add finely chopped onion or bell peppers to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
For a lower-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the Alfredo sauce for extra heat.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Fat: 32g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 35g