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Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Tender chicken ricotta meatballs baked until golden and served in a rich, creamy spinach Alfredo sauce with crispy bacon. A comforting one-pan meal perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 206

Ingredients
  

  • 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 pounds ground chicken or turkey (700 grams)
  • 6 ounces whole milk ricotta approximately 3/4 cup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for meatballs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • 6 strips bacon
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced, for sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cooking cream 35% fat
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt for sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sauce
  • 5 ounces baby spinach 150 grams
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • Food processor
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large skillet or nonstick pan
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (235°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with milk. Set aside to soak for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes to your food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides if needed.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the processed mixture with the ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix just until combined - don't overmix or the meatballs will be dense.
  5. Shape the mixture into 18-20 meatballs (about 2.5 inches each). Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking oil spray. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp on the outside and cooked through.
  6. Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Fry bacon until crispy, then transfer to a plate.
  7. In the same pan, melt butter. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  8. Add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes.
  9. Season with black pepper and salt, then whisk in the Parmesan cheese and cook until melted.
  10. Add the baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes or until wilted.
  11. Add the baked meatballs and cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
  12. Chop the bacon and sprinkle over the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with pasta of your choice.

Notes

Use high-quality ground chicken with enough fat content to keep meatballs tender. Fresh herbs bring better flavor than dried. Don't overmix the meatball mixture or it will be dense. Meatballs can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Ground turkey can be substituted for chicken.
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