Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe
These Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce are a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender ground chicken meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a rich, creamy spinach Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare, wholesome, and features fresh herbs and cheeses that elevate the flavors beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
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)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (lightly coat the baking dish to prevent sticking)
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)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Herbs (chopped parsley or basil for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs, then shape into medium-sized meatballs.
- Grease Baking Dish: Lightly coat a baking dish with olive oil or butter to prevent the meatballs from sticking during baking.
- Arrange and Bake Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs evenly apart in the greased baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
- Make Spinach Alfredo Sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Combine the heavy cream and minced garlic, simmering for about 5 minutes until the cream thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Reduce heat to low, whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning thoroughly to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Coat Meatballs with Sauce: Pour the prepared spinach Alfredo sauce over the baked meatballs, gently tossing them to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Bake Again: Return the coated meatballs to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to meld the flavors and warm the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, and serve warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For a lower-calorie version, substitute ground turkey for chicken and use part-skim ricotta cheese.
- If preferred, use fresh spinach instead of frozen, but be sure to drain excess moisture.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace the egg with a flaxseed mixture and use plant-based alternatives for ricotta and cream.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be used instead of Italian seasoning for a fresher flavor profile.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the texture tender and moist.
Keywords: chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, baked meatballs, spinach Alfredo sauce, Southern style chicken, creamy chicken meatballs
