Tender baked chicken meatballs infused with ricotta cheese, served with a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
Author:Emily Clarke
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
1 pound ground chicken
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well-integrated.
Form the chicken mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the Spinach Alfredo Sauce. In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Stir in the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook until the sauce begins to thicken.
Stir in the remaining 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the chopped fresh spinach to the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted.
Serve the baked chicken meatballs hot, generously topped with the creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce.