Description
These Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce are a creamy, flavorful dish with perfectly tender chicken meatballs served in a luscious spinach-infused Alfredo sauce. A comforting dinner that’s easy to make and sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients
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For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional parsley. Mix well.
Form the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs, yielding about 16-18 meatballs. -
Cook the Meatballs:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside. -
Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
Mix in chopped spinach, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook until spinach is wilted and well incorporated into the sauce. -
Combine Meatballs with Sauce:
Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, coat them with the Alfredo sauce. Simmer together for 3-5 minutes to heat through. -
Serve:
Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. Optionally garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can substitute the chicken with ground turkey or beef.
- Add a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil for more flavor.
- This dish is also great served with roasted vegetables or a simple salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg