Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika until well combined.
-
Form the Meatballs:
- Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake the Meatballs:
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the meatballs.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
-
Prepare the Spinach:
- While the meatballs bake, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped spinach and sauté until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
-
Make the Alfredo Sauce:
- Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the spinach.
- Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
-
Combine the Meatballs and Sauce:
- Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and gently toss to coat evenly.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash instead of pasta.
- Add Mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms with the spinach for extra depth.
- Cheese Variations: Swap Parmesan for Asiago or Pecorino Romano.
- Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, Italian-inspired
