Description
Southern Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce is a delightful comfort dish that combines tender chicken meatballs with a rich, velvety sauce. Bursting with flavors and topped with vibrant spinach, this recipe is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Enjoy the aroma filling your kitchen as you serve these golden-brown meatballs, guaranteed to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
- Optional: pasta of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, ricotta, half of the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt until combined.
- Form mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- While the meatballs bake, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add minced garlic until fragrant.
- Whisk in heavy cream until smooth, then stir in spinach until wilted.
- Remove from heat and mix in remaining Parmesan cheese; season with salt and pepper.
- Once meatballs are done baking, coat them in the creamy sauce and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Substitute ground turkey for a lighter option. Experiment by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano for an extra flavor boost.