Heavenly Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Chicken ricotta meatballs bring comfort and elegance to weeknight dinner tables across home kitchens.

Rich, tender proteins blend with creamy cheese for a luxurious culinary experience.

Delicate herbal notes and smooth textures dance through each carefully crafted bite.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings infuse depth into these succulent spheres of protein and dairy.

Soft ricotta ensures remarkable moisture and tenderness within each perfectly rolled meatball.

spinach Alfredo sauce changes this classic dish into something extraordinary, adding vibrant color and nutritional complexity.

The combination creates a harmonious balance between rustic comfort and refined gastronomy.

Why Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Alfredo Sauce Are So Cozy

• Elevate Comfort Food: These chicken ricotta meatballs transform a classic dish into a gourmet experience, blending rich Italian flavors with creamy spinach Alfredo sauce for a luxurious meal that feels like a restaurant-quality indulgence.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: With just 40 minutes total time and simple steps like using a food processor and baking meatballs, this recipe offers a stress-free cooking method perfect for busy weeknights or quick family dinners.
• Protein-Packed Deliciousness: Ground chicken combined with ricotta creates incredibly tender, juicy meatballs packed with protein, while sun-dried tomatoes and herbs add unexpected depth and complexity to each bite.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable to different preferences by serving with various pasta types or adjusting seasonings, this recipe guarantees a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both adults and kids alike.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

• Italian Breadcrumbs, Regular Breadcrumbs: Provide texture and help bind the meatballs, choose fine and dry breadcrumbs for better consistency.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps soften the breadcrumbs for tender meatballs.
• Ground Chicken, Ground Turkey: Lean protein base for the meatballs, choose fresh and high-quality meat.
• Whole Milk Ricotta: Creates creamy and soft texture in meatballs, select fresh ricotta for best results.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the meatballs together.
• Onion: Adds flavor depth and aromatic base to the meatball mixture.
• Garlic Cloves: Provides sharp and pungent flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh herbal notes and bright color to the meatballs.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Introduces concentrated sweet-tangy flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes rich, salty umami taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers classic Italian herb blend.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning of the meatballs.

• Bacon Strips: Adds smoky, rich flavor to the sauce.
• Butter: Provides rich base and smooth texture.
• Heavy Cooking Cream: Creates luxurious and thick sauce consistency.
• Garlic Cloves: Infuses aromatic flavor into the sauce.
• Baby Spinach: Adds nutrition and vibrant green color.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes deep, nutty flavor to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley

Cooking Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 450°F (235°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking oil.

Step 2: Soak Breadcrumbs

• Breadcrumbs
• Milk

Let sit for 2 minutes to soften.

Step 3: Chop Vegetables

• Onion
• Garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Step 4: Mix Meatball Ingredients

• Ground chicken
• Soaked breadcrumbs
• Vegetable mixture
• Egg
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt

Gently mix until just combined.

Step 5: Shape Meatballs

Form mixture into 18-20 meatballs (about 2.5 inches in diameter). Place on prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake Meatballs

Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until crispy outside and fully cooked.

Step 7: Create Bacon Spinach Sauce

• Fry bacon until crispy
• Remove bacon, leave drippings
• Melt butter
• Add minced garlic
• Pour in heavy cream
• Simmer gently
• Season with salt and pepper
• Whisk in Parmesan cheese
• Add fresh spinach, cook until wilted

Step 8: Finish and Serve

• Add baked meatballs to sauce
• Simmer for 2 additional minutes
• Crumble reserved bacon on top
• Serve with your favorite pasta

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories per Serving: 206

Helpful Tips for Creamy Meatballs in Sauce

• Prevent Dense Meatballs: Gently mix ingredients and avoid overworking the meat to keep chicken meatballs light and tender.
• Moisture Magic: Adding ricotta cheese helps maintain juiciness and prevents dry, tough meatballs during baking.
• Perfect Sizing Technique: Use a cookie scoop or wet hands to create uniform meatballs for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Bacon Boost: Cooking bacon first in the sauce pan adds depth of flavor and creates a delicious base for the Alfredo sauce.
• Spinach Wilting Pro Tip: Add spinach at the end of sauce preparation to retain vibrant color and prevent overcooking, maintaining its fresh nutrients and texture.

Storing Chicken Meatballs with Alfredo the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Pack cooled meatballs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months for best quality.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until heated through completely.

Best Pairings for Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy meatball dish. The bright, peppery greens will cut through the alfredo's heaviness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Select Perfect Wine Companion: Choose a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. These wines complement the creamy sauce and chicken's delicate flavor without overpowering the subtle ricotta and spinach notes.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, garlic-rubbed Italian bread to soak up the delicious spinach alfredo sauce. The bread's crusty exterior and soft interior will enhance the meal's texture and allow diners to enjoy every last drop of the sauce.
• Roasted Vegetable Accompaniment: Prepare roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts with olive oil and parmesan. These caramelized vegetables will add a nutty, slightly charred element that pairs beautifully with the meatballs' rich flavors.

New Ways to Dress Up Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with diced kalamata olives and add crumbled feta cheese to the meatball mixture for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder into the meatball mixture. Top with pepper jack cheese and serve with cilantro-lime rice.
• Herb Garden Blend: Mix fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary into the meatball mixture. Replace spinach with arugula in the sauce for a more peppery, herbaceous sauce.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Boat Option: Skip the pasta and serve meatballs inside roasted zucchini boats, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs for a lighter meal alternative.

Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 18 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory chicken ricotta meatballs swim in creamy spinach alfredo sauce, creating an Italian-inspired comfort classic. Delicate herbs and rich cheese elevate this hearty dish that brings Mediterranean warmth to your dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 1.5 pounds (700 grams) ground chicken or turkey
• 6 ounces (170 grams) whole milk ricotta
• 1 large egg
• 6 bacon strips

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cooking cream (35% fat)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 ounces (150 grams) baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a high temperature and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal meatball roasting.
2. Soften breadcrumbs by mixing with milk, allowing them to absorb liquid and create a tender texture for the meatballs.
3. Create a flavor base by finely chopping onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor to ensure even distribution of aromatics.
4. Craft the meatball mixture by combining the processed vegetables with ground chicken, moistened breadcrumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt, mixing gently to maintain a light texture.
5. Form uniform meatballs approximately 2.5 inches in diameter, arranging them on the prepared baking sheet and lightly coating with cooking spray to promote even browning.
6. Roast the meatballs in the oven until they develop a crisp exterior and are thoroughly cooked, ensuring juicy and flavorful results.
7. Render bacon in a large skillet until crisp and golden, then remove and reserve for garnishing.
8. Utilize the bacon drippings to develop the Alfredo sauce by melting butter, adding garlic, and introducing cream to create a rich base.
9. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, then incorporate Parmesan cheese until smooth and velvety.
10. Wilt fresh spinach into the sauce, adding vibrant color and nutritional depth.
11. Gently nestle the roasted meatballs into the creamy spinach Alfredo sauce, allowing them to absorb the flavors for a few minutes.
12. Finish the dish by crumbling the reserved bacon over the top for a crispy, savory garnish.
13. Serve alongside your preferred pasta, creating a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Crafting these meatballs requires gentle mixing to keep the chicken tender and juicy without becoming tough.
• Soaking breadcrumbs in milk helps create a softer, more delicate texture that prevents dry meatballs.
• Fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes elevate the flavor profile, transforming ordinary chicken meatballs into a gourmet experience.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 740
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 54 g
• Saturated Fat: 31 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg