Description
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce is a delightful and comforting dish that combines the rich flavors of tender chicken and creamy ricotta cheese with a luscious spinach Alfredo sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, these meatballs are not only easy to prepare but also versatile, allowing you to serve them over pasta, rice, or even as a hearty sandwich filling. The addition of crispy bacon and sun-dried tomatoes enhances the flavor profile, making every bite satisfying and indulgent. This recipe will quickly become a favorite in your home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 medium onion (very finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1.5 lb ground chicken (or ground turkey)
- 6 oz whole milk ricotta (approximately ¾ cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt (or as needed)
- 6 bacon strips
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream (35% fat)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 5 oz baby spinach (approximately 150 grams)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk; let sit until absorbed. Add onion, garlic, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, ground chicken, ricotta, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently.
- Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy; drain and chop.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic before adding heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and whisk in Parmesan until smooth, then stir in spinach until wilted.
- Toss baked meatballs in the sauce before serving; garnish with crispy bacon.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs with sauce (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg