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Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Parmesan Sauce

This dish combines hearty chicken meatballs with creamy ricotta and vibrant spinach in a rich sauce, making it a delicious family-friendly meal.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken Ricotta Meatballs, comfort food, Easy Family Meal, Healthy Recipe, Spinach Parmesan Sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 375kcal

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce

  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Use your hands to mix gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
  • Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs, aiming for a size of about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter.

Cooking

  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs to the pan without overcrowding and sear them on all sides until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes total.
  • Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add more olive oil if necessary and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook until wilted, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
  • Pour the heavy cream into the skillet along with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Return the meatballs to the skillet, spoon the creamy sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
  • Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Consider using fresh herbs like parsley for enhanced flavor. You can add finely grated zucchini or carrots for texture. Make meatballs ahead of time and freeze for later use.