Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe Perfect Family Dinner

Whipping up these hearty chicken ricotta meatballs packed with spinach and creamy alfredo sauce feels like a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

My kitchen often buzzes with excitement when unexpected flavor combinations come together so beautifully.

Tender ground chicken blends seamlessly with rich ricotta cheese, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that promises pure comfort.

Herbs and spices dance through each carefully crafted bite, delivering a symphony of deliciousness.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special, and this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Fresh spinach weaves its vibrant green magic through the velvety sauce, adding nutrition and visual appeal.

I bet you’ll want seconds before the first plate is even empty.

Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Sauce That Feels Gourmet

• Chicken meatballs loaded with ricotta deliver a protein boost while remaining lighter than traditional beef alternatives, making it a nutritious dinner option.
• Easily adaptable to different serving styles- enjoy over pasta, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread, satisfying various dietary preferences and hunger levels.
• Transforms ordinary ingredients into an elegant dish that looks and tastes sophisticated, yet requires straightforward cooking techniques anyone can master.

What You’ll Need for These Juicy Chicken Meatballs

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the meatballs, provides a lighter alternative to beef.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture and softness to the meatballs, creates a creamy texture.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together, ensures cohesive mixture.

• Parmesan Cheese, Breadcrumbs: Add flavor and help maintain meatball structure, choose fresh grated cheese for best results.
• Garlic, Parsley: Provide aromatic depth and fresh herbal notes to the meatballs.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced flavor.

• Butter: Creates a rich base for the Alfredo sauce, provides smooth foundation.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Spinach: Introduces color, nutrition, and earthy flavor to the Alfredo sauce.
• Nutmeg: Provides warm, subtle background note to complement the creamy sauce.

How to Cook Ricotta Chicken Meatballs with Alfredo Sauce

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meatballs

• Ground chicken
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix ingredients thoroughly until evenly blended. Roll mixture into golf ball-sized spheres and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide into oven and bake until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 18-20 minutes.

Step 2: Create Velvety Spinach Sauce

Heat skillet over medium flame. Melt butter and add minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic. Pour in heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer. Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese until sauce transforms into silky smoothness. Fold in fresh spinach leaves and cook until beautifully wilted. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Marry Meatballs with Sauce

Transfer golden meatballs directly into spinach-infused sauce. Gently coat each meatball, ensuring complete coverage. Serve atop pasta, zucchini noodles, or alongside crusty bread for a luxurious dining experience.

Tips for Tender Meatballs and Creamy Spinach

• Boost Meatball Moisture: Mix ricotta cheese into ground chicken for extra tenderness and rich, creamy texture that prevents dry meatballs.
• Batch and Freeze Efficiently: Prepare larger meatball quantities and freeze uncooked for quick future meals, storing in airtight containers up to 3 months.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives or almond flour for low-carb and celiac-friendly versions of the recipe.
• Enhance Spinach Nutrition: Chop spinach finely to distribute evenly throughout Alfredo sauce, maximizing vegetable intake and creating smoother sauce consistency.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Adjust heavy cream amount or simmer longer to achieve desired Alfredo sauce thickness without compromising rich, creamy flavor profile.

Best Way to Store and Warm Meatballs Again

• Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Place cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Gently warm meatballs and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth to prevent drying and maintain sauce consistency.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel to retain moisture.

What Complements This Creamy Chicken Dish

• Select a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the rich, creamy Alfredo sauce and complement the delicate chicken meatballs.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, creamy dish and add a fresh, zesty element to the meal.
• Serve warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the extra Alfredo sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the softness of the meatballs.
• Sprinkle fresh basil or chopped parsley on top to brighten the dish, add a pop of color, and introduce a subtle herbal note that elevates the overall flavor profile.

New Sauce Variations for Ricotta Chicken

• Low-Carb Zucchini Version: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb alternative that reduces overall calorie intake and adds extra vegetables to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap ricotta and Parmesan with nutritional yeast and almond milk cream for those with lactose intolerance or dairy restrictions, maintaining a creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs, ensuring the meatballs remain tender and flavorful while accommodating gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with plant-based ground meat alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or tofu, creating a protein-packed vegetarian version that mirrors the original recipe's texture and taste.

Chicken Ricotta Meatballs With Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken ricotta meatballs dance in a creamy spinach alfredo sauce, bringing Italian comfort to your dinner table. Parmesan-crusted and packed with flavor, these tender morsels will make you crave seconds at first bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Cheeses:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft succulent chicken meatballs by combining ground chicken with creamy ricotta, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, whisked egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of seasoning in a generous mixing bowl.
2. Thoroughly blend ingredients with gentle folding motions until uniformly incorporated, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
3. Carefully shape the mixture into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter, positioning them strategically on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Activate the oven to 400F (200C) and position the meatball-laden tray inside, allowing them to roast until achieving a golden exterior and thoroughly cooked interior, approximately 18-20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, initiate the sauce preparation by melting butter in a spacious skillet over moderate heat, introducing minced garlic and sautéing until aromatic.
6. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer while gradually incorporating Parmesan cheese through a whisking motion.
7. Introduce fresh, roughly chopped spinach leaves into the developing sauce, allowing them to wilt and integrate seamlessly.
8. Season the Alfredo sauce with delicate hints of nutmeg, complemented by judicious amounts of salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
9. Transfer the freshly roasted meatballs directly into the prepared spinach-infused Alfredo sauce, gently coating each morsel to ensure complete coverage.
10. Present the dish atop your preferred accompaniment, whether traditional pasta, delicate zucchini noodles, or accompanied by a rustic slice of crusty bread.

Notes

• Customize meatball moisture by adjusting ricotta amount; too much can make them soggy, while too little might result in dry meatballs.
• Swap ground chicken with turkey or lean beef for varied protein options and different flavor profiles.
• Consider using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly and lower in carbohydrates.
• Reduce sauce calories by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, maintaining creamy texture while cutting fat content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg