Quick & Juicy Ricotta Meatballs Recipe for Family Dinners

Ricotta meatballs bring a luxurious twist to a classic comfort food, redefineing an ordinary dinner into something spectacular.

Soft, creamy cheese blends seamlessly with ground meat, creating a texture that melts in your mouth.

Traditional recipes often lack the rich, velvety smoothness these unique spheres deliver.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of herbs, spices, and tender protein that elevates the entire dish.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this innovative approach to crafting perfectly balanced meatballs.

The unexpected ingredient adds moisture and depth, ensuring every morsel remains incredibly juicy and flavorful.

Countless home cooks adore how these meatballs surprise and delight dinner guests with their unexpected sophistication.

Why Ricotta Meatballs Are So Tender

• Burst with Creamy Texture: Ricotta cheese creates an incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior that transforms traditional dense meatballs into a luxurious dining experience.
• Effortless Flavor Layering: Herb-infused ricotta mixture adds sophisticated Mediterranean notes, elevating basic meatball recipes with minimal extra preparation time.
• Quick Family-Friendly Meal: Perfectly portioned bite-sized meatballs make excellent dinner options for both kids and adults, offering versatile serving possibilities like pasta, sandwiches, or appetizers.
• Simple Cooking Technique: Straightforward skillet browning and marinara simmering method ensures foolproof cooking even for beginner home chefs, guaranteeing delicious results without complex culinary skills.

Ingredients That Make Ricotta Meatballs Stand Out

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato sauce that forms the rich, flavorful foundation for the dish, providing a tangy and robust backdrop to the meatballs..

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy Italian cheese that adds moisture and subtle richness to the meatball mixture..
• Garlic, Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Dried Parsley: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance the overall flavor profile with classic Italian seasonings..

• Yellow Onion: Provides sweet and savory depth to the meat mixture, adding texture and natural sweetness..
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent flavor that complements the meat blend..
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the meatballs together and ensure a tender texture..
• Half and Half: Adds moisture and helps create a tender, soft meatball texture..

• Italian Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat and provides a light, crisp texture to the meatballs..
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps with moisture retention..
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright herbaceous notes to the meatball mixture..

• Ground Chuck: Provides rich, beefy flavor with a good fat content for juicy meatballs..
• Ground Pork: Adds extra moisture and richness to the meat mixture..

• Italian Seasoning, Mustard Powder, Salt, Pepper: Comprehensive spice mix that balances and elevates the overall flavor of the m.

Shaping and Cooking the Best Ricotta Meatballs

Step 1: Create Herb-Packed Ricotta Blend

Mix ricotta cheese with finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and well-combined, creating a creamy herb base that will make your meatballs irresistibly delicious.

Step 2: Prepare Flavor-Packed Meat Mixture

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, and the prepared ricotta herb mixture. Gently fold ingredients together, avoiding overmixing to keep the meatballs tender. The key is to mix just until ingredients are incorporated.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Meatballs

Using clean hands, roll the meat mixture into uniform round balls, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Place shaped meatballs on a clean baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.

Step 4: Sauté to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place meatballs in the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy exterior develops.

Step 5: Simmer in Luxurious Marinara

Pour marinara sauce over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through completely and absorb the rich tomato flavors.

Step 6: Finish with Creamy Ricotta Dollops

Just before serving, add small dollops of reserved ricotta cheese on top of the meatballs. The warm sauce will slightly melt the ricotta, creating a luxurious and creamy finish.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 275 | Servings: 4-6

Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Ricotta Meatballs

• Chill the Mixture: Refrigerate the meatball mixture for 30 minutes before shaping to help them hold together and prevent crumbling during cooking.
• Gentle Handling: Use a light touch when forming meatballs to keep them tender and prevent dense, tough texture.
• Even Sizing: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professional.
• Low and Slow Browning: Brown meatballs over medium-low heat to develop a golden crust without burning the exterior.
• Ricotta Magic: Add ricotta dollops just before serving to maintain their creamy texture and prevent them from becoming watery.

How to Store and Reheat Ricotta Meatballs with Ease

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Pack meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of marinara sauce, stirring gently to prevent breaking. For frozen meatballs, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Ideas for Ricotta Meatballs

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, herby meatballs with a bold Chianti or Sangiovese, cutting through the creamy ricotta and enhancing the savory meat flavors.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Garlic Bread: Create a perfect dipping companion that soaks up the marinara sauce and provides a crunchy textural contrast to the tender meatballs.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Balance the heavy protein with a light, peppery green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cleanse the palate and add brightness to the dish.
• Pour Crisp Italian Pilsner: Select a clean, refreshing beer that won't overpower the delicate ricotta and herb notes, providing a cool counterpoint to the warm, saucy meatballs.

New Spins on Classic Ricotta Meatballs

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace breadcrumbs with seasoned quinoa for a gluten-free protein boost. Fold in crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives to enhance Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix ground turkey with jalapeños, add cumin and chili powder to herb ricotta. Serve with chipotle marinara and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip breadcrumbs entirely, use ground chicken or lean beef. Serve meatballs nestled in butter lettuce leaves with fresh herb garnish and light yogurt sauce.
• Italian Fusion Approach: Incorporate sundried tomatoes and pine nuts into ricotta mixture. Use a roasted red pepper marinara and finish with fresh basil and shaved parmesan for authentic Italian flair.

Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rustic Italian ricotta meatballs bring authentic Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Creamy ricotta creates tender, juicy meatballs that melt in your mouth, delivering comfort and satisfaction with each hearty bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground chuck (80% lean)
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 1 egg, whisked

Dairy:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup half and half
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup italian breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup roughly chopped parsley, plus more to garnish
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper

Sauce:

• 32 ounces (907 grams) marinara sauce

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Instructions

1. Finely chop herbs and blend thoroughly with ricotta cheese, creating a fragrant and creamy herb-infused mixture.
2. Gently sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent and aromatic, releasing their sweet essence.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, sautéed aromatics, and herbed ricotta, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
4. Carefully blend ground meat into the mixture, using a light touch to maintain a tender texture without overworking the protein.
5. Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, using moistened hands to prevent sticking and ensure smooth, round formations.
6. Refrigerate the prepared meatballs for 15-20 minutes to help them firm up and retain their shape during cooking.
7. Heat a heavy skillet with a thin layer of olive oil, then gently brown meatballs on all sides, creating a rich, caramelized exterior.
8. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, nestling the browned meatballs into the vibrant sauce.
9. Simmer the meatballs in the marinara, allowing them to cook through and absorb the sauce’s complex flavors.
10. Just before serving, drop small dollops of fresh ricotta on top, creating a creamy, luxurious finish to the dish.

Notes

• Chilling meatballs helps them hold their shape and prevents falling apart during cooking.
• Mixing ricotta with herbs adds moisture and creates a tender, flavorful meatball texture.
• Browning meatballs first locks in juices and develops a delicious golden-brown crust before simmering in marinara sauce.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg