🍗 Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce 🍝🧄🥬
Servings: 4 🍽️
Prep Time: 15 minutes ⏱️
Cooking Time: 25 minutes 🔥
Total Time: 40 minutes ⏲️
📝 Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken 🍗
1/2 cup ricotta cheese 🧀
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
1/4 cup breadcrumbs 🍞
1 egg 🥚
2 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
1 tablespoon olive oil 🫒
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter 🧈
3 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
1 1/2 cups heavy cream 🥛
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂
2 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped 🥬
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) 🌿
👩🍳 Instructions:
Prepare the Meatballs:
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until evenly combined. 🍗🧄🌿
Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, cooking for 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside. 🍗🔥
Make the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 🧄🧈
Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. 🥛
Add Parmesan and Spinach:
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped spinach, cooking until it wilts and blends into the sauce. 🧀🥬
Combine Meatballs with Sauce:
Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to heat through. 🍗🔥
Serve:
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. 🌿🍚
💡 Tips:
Serving Suggestion: Pair with fettuccine or linguine for a complete meal. 🍝
Make it Lighter: Substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce. 🥛
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 🥄
Enjoy your Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce! 🍽️😋
