Description
Indulge in tender chicken ricotta meatballs paired with a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce. This flavorful dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, offering a rich, comforting meal in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and parsley until well combined.
- Shape into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook meatballs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F). Set aside.
- Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring occasionally until simmering.
- Stir in Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
- Combine and Serve:
- Return meatballs to the skillet, gently tossing in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
- Swap ground chicken for turkey.
- Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta.
- Make it low-carb with zoodles or cauliflower rice.
- Enhance the sauce with mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Use Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach Alfredo, creamy pasta, easy dinner