Description
Deliciously tender chicken ricotta meatballs simmered in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce, perfect for a comforting Italian-American main course that’s both rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning)
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve: Serve warm, spooning extra spinach Alfredo sauce over the meatballs for a rich and creamy finish.
Notes
- These meatballs pair excellently with pasta, mashed potatoes, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- You can substitute ground turkey in place of chicken for a different flavor.
- For extra richness and depth, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the Alfredo sauce.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep this dish gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
