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