Description
Delight in these Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs served with a creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce. This comforting dish offers tender, juicy meatballs infused with spinach and ricotta, baked to perfection and smothered in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Perfect as a hearty dinner that blends classic Italian flavors with Southern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Chicken (can be substituted with turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (consider using part-skim for a healthier twist)
- 1 cup Chopped Spinach (fresh or frozen works)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs (opt for whole wheat for a heartier texture)
- 1 Egg (a flaxseed mixture can be used as a vegan alternative)
Spinach Alfredo Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (for a lighter version, use half-and-half or a plant-based milk if desired)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated adds depth of flavor)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced, roasted garlic can add a sweeter flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (feel free to use fresh basil or oregano for freshness)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (lightly coat the baking dish to prevent sticking)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Herbs (chopped parsley or basil for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender. Form medium-sized meatballs.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Place the formed meatballs evenly spaced apart in the dish.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: While the meatballs are baking, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Combine heavy cream and minced garlic, simmering for about 5 minutes until the cream thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Reduce heat to low, then whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning until smooth and creamy.
- Coat Meatballs with Sauce: Pour the prepared Spinach Alfredo Sauce over the baked meatballs in the dish. Gently toss or spoon the sauce to coat the meatballs evenly.
- Final Bake: Return the sauced meatballs to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped herbs such as parsley or basil, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute turkey for chicken and use part-skim ricotta and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Frozen spinach should be thawed and well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the meatballs.
- To make this dish vegan, replace egg with a flaxseed mixture and use plant-based ricotta and cream alternatives.
- Breadcrumbs can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour.
- For extra flavor, consider adding roasted garlic instead of raw minced garlic in the sauce.
- Ensure meatballs are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern Italian-American
Keywords: Baked chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach Alfredo sauce, Southern style chicken, creamy meatballs, easy dinner recipe
