Creamy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Meatball Ingredients
01 -
700g (1.5 pounds) ground turkey or chicken
02 -
About 3/4 cup (6 ounces) whole milk ricotta
03 -
1/2 cup milk
04 -
1 big egg
05 -
1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
→ Herbs and Seasonings for Flavor
06 -
3 minced garlic cloves
07 -
Chop 1 medium onion finely
08 -
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
09 -
Finely chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley
10 -
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced small
11 -
1 teaspoon blend of Italian herbs
12 -
Salt as preferred
→ Creamy Sauce Components
13 -
6 slices of bacon
14 -
4 tablespoons of butter
15 -
Mince 2 garlic cloves
16 -
35% fat cream, 1.5 cups
17 -
2 cups Parmesan, grated fresh
18 -
150g (5 ounces) fresh spinach
19 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
20 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
21 -
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Set your oven to 450°F (235°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easy.
02 -
Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl. Let them sit for a couple of minutes to soften up.
03 -
Use a food processor to mince your garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley until everything is really fine.
04 -
In a mixing bowl, add ground meat, egg, softened breadcrumbs, ricotta, Parmesan, chopped mixture, salt, and Italian seasoning. Combine gently—don’t overdo it!
05 -
Roll the mix into 2.5-inch balls (makes 18-20), set them on your baking tray, spray them lightly with cooking oil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until they’re golden.
06 -
In a nonstick pan, fry the bacon strips until crispy. Remove them, leaving the grease behind, then melt butter in the same pan and cook the garlic until it smells amazing.
07 -
Stir in heavy cream and let it bubble for 2 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese, then whisk until smooth. Toss in some salt and pepper.
08 -
Drop in the spinach and cook until soft. Add your baked meatballs and simmer everything lightly for another 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped bacon and parsley.
# Notes:
01 -
Chicken or turkey both work great here.
02 -
Ricotta keeps the meatballs super fluffy.
03 -
Serve these over pasta for the ultimate comfort meal.