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Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

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These tender chicken ricotta meatballs are paired with a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce, creating a delicious and comforting meal. Perfect for a hearty dinner served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread!

Ingredients

Scale

  1. 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

  1. Prepare the Meatballs:

    • In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional parsley. Mix until well combined.
    • Form the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs, yielding about 16-18 meatballs.

  2. 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 through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:

    • In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
    • Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
    • Mix in the chopped spinach, salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and integrates into the sauce.

  4. Combine Meatballs with Sauce:

    • Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, coating them in the Alfredo sauce. Simmer together for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

  5. Serve:

    • Serve the chicken ricotta meatballs with spinach Alfredo sauce over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. Optionally, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
  • Make sure the meatballs are fully cooked through before serving. You can check by cutting one open to ensure there’s no pink inside.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, add extra Parmesan to the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://easyfoodflash.com/chicken-ricotta-meatballs-with-spinach-alfredo-sauce/