Tender Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Succulent chicken ricotta meatballs dancing in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce promise a dinner that will steal your heart.

These tender, flavor-packed bites blend Italian culinary magic with comforting textures.

Rich ricotta infuses each meatball with irresistible moisture and depth.

The silky spinach Alfredo sauce wraps around the protein-packed spheres like a warm embrace.

Every forkful offers a perfect balance of herbs, cheese, and savory goodness.

Weeknight meals never looked this elegant or tasted this delicious.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this restaurant-worthy dish that comes together with surprising ease.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 735 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Chicken Ricotta Alfredo

• Italian Breadcrumbs, Regular Breadcrumbs: Binding agent that creates tender texture and helps hold meatballs together, choose fine, high-quality crumbs for best results.
• Milk: Adds moisture and softness to meatball mixture, helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, select firm and fresh onion.
• Garlic Cloves: Brings robust, aromatic flavor, choose plump and firm cloves.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, herbaceous notes and vibrant color, pick crisp and green leaves.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Introduces intense, concentrated tomato flavor, ensure they are soft and pliable.

• Ground Chicken, Ground Turkey: Lean protein base for meatballs, choose fresh meat with consistent texture.
• Whole Milk Ricotta: Creates creamy, rich texture in meatballs, select smooth and fresh cheese.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness, use fresh room temperature egg.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor, grate fresh for maximum taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides herbal complexity, choose high-quality blend.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use kosher or sea salt for best results.

• Bacon Strips: Adds smoky, rich flavor to sauce, choose thick-cut bacon.
• Butter: Creates creamy base for sauce, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.

Gear for Sautéing and Baking This Dish

• Food processor: Perfect for quickly chopping vegetables and herbs into fine pieces.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for easy meatball baking and cleanup.
• Large skillet: Used for cooking bacon and preparing the creamy spinach Alfredo sauce.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Cooking spray: Prevents meatballs from sticking and promotes crispy exterior.
• Whisk: Great for blending sauce ingredients and ensuring smooth consistency.

Steps to Make Ricotta Meatballs in Sauce

Savory Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

• Breadcrumb Softening Technique

Soak breadcrumbs in milk to create a tender, moist base for the meatballs, enhancing their delicate texture and flavor absorption.

• Flavor Foundation

Pulse onions, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor to develop a rich, aromatic vegetable mixture that will infuse the meatballs with deep, complex flavors.

• Meatball Composition

Blend ground chicken, vegetable mixture, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, and seasonings in a large bowl, mixing gently to maintain a light, delicate protein structure.

• Shaping and Preparation

Form 18-20 uniform meatballs, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly coating with cooking spray to ensure even browning and crisp exterior.

• Precise Cooking

Bake in a preheated oven until the meatballs develop a golden crust and reach perfect internal temperature, ensuring juicy and fully cooked protein.

• Creamy Spinach Sauce

Create a luxurious sauce by rendering bacon, building layers of flavor with butter, garlic, cream, and Parmesan, then incorporating wilted spinach for a nutritious, velvety finish.

• Final Assembly

Gently nestle the meatballs into the sauce, allowing them to absorb the rich, creamy flavors, and garnish with crispy bacon bits for added texture and depth.

• Serving Suggestion

Pair with your favorite pasta to transform this dish into a complete, satisfying meal that celebrates comfort and elegance.

Substitution Ideas and Flavor Add-Ons

• Texture Tricks: Use a light touch when mixing meatball ingredients to keep them tender and prevent dense, tough results. Gently combine ingredients without overmixing for the most delicate chicken meatballs.
• Protein Power: Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef for different flavor profiles. Each meat brings its unique taste and texture to the dish, offering versatile meal options.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs in advance and freeze uncooked on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag for easy storage up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Sauce Savvy: For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. Want extra richness? Add a splash of white wine or a dollop of cream cheese to the Alfredo sauce for deeper complexity.
• Vegetable Boost: Experiment with additional greens like kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach. Roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers can also be folded into the sauce for more nutrition and color.

Serving Suggestions with Pasta or Bread

• Pasta Paradise: Serve these meatballs over al dente fettuccine or linguine for a classic Italian-inspired dinner that hugs every bite with creamy sauce.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the Alfredo and add fresh, zesty contrast.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer warm garlic bread or crusty ciabatta on the side to soak up every delicious drop of the spinach Alfredo sauce and create a complete meal.
• Veggie Companion: Roast some quick seasonal vegetables like asparagus or broccoli to add nutritional balance and color to your plate, making the dish feel more wholesome and satisfying.

Storing Creamy Chicken Alfredo Smoothly

• Fridge Freshness Tricks: Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container, keeping them deliciously juicy for 3-4 days. Separate sauce from meatballs to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp edges.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual meatballs in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. These protein-packed bites stay perfect for up to 2 months, ready for quick meal rescue.
• Reheating Magic: Warm meatballs gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave works too, but adds 1-2 tablespoons of sauce to prevent drying out.
• Meal Prep Champion: Batch cook meatballs on weekends, portion into containers with sauce. Grab-and-go lunches become effortless, saving time during busy weekdays and ensuring delicious, home-cooked meals are always within reach.

Creamy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade chicken ricotta meatballs melt with creamy spinach alfredo sauce, creating comfort on dinner plates. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs complete this Italian-inspired comfort meal that families will eagerly devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (700 g) ground chicken or turkey
• 6 oz (170 g) whole milk ricotta
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cups heavy cooking cream (35% fat)
• 6 bacon strips
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 4 tbsps butter
• 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 oz (150 g) baby spinach
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, for garnish
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal meatball roasting.
2. Meatball Base: Soak breadcrumbs in milk, then combine with finely processed onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes to create a flavor-packed mixture.
3. Meatball Formation: Gently blend ground chicken, moistened breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt, carefully mixing to maintain a light, tender consistency.
4. Roasting: Shape meatballs into uniform 2.5-inch rounds, lightly spray with cooking oil, and roast until golden and thoroughly cooked, developing a crisp exterior.
5. Sauce Development: Crisp bacon in a large skillet, remove, and use drippings to create a luxurious Alfredo sauce by melting butter, adding garlic and cream, then whisking in Parmesan until smooth.
6. Final Assembly: Incorporate fresh spinach into the sauce, gently nestle roasted meatballs, and allow flavors to meld for a few minutes.
7. Presentation: Garnish with crumbled bacon and serve alongside pasta, creating a decadent and satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Breadcrumb Technique: Soak breadcrumbs in milk to ensure meatballs remain incredibly moist and tender, preventing dry and dense results.
• Flavor Layering: Process aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs in a food processor to distribute flavors evenly throughout the meatball mixture.
• Gentle Mixing Method: Use a light touch when combining meatball ingredients to maintain a delicate, airy texture and prevent tough meatballs.
• Bacon Drippings Secret: Utilize rendered bacon fat as a flavor booster for the Alfredo sauce, adding depth and richness to the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 735
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 56 g
• Saturated Fat: 30 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg