Description
Tender baked chicken ricotta meatballs nestled in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce, topped with crispy bacon for the ultimate cozy comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1.5 pounds ground chicken or turkey
- 6 ounces whole milk ricotta (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- 6 bacon strips
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (35% fat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (235°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs with milk and let them soak for 2 minutes.
3. In a food processor, pulse onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes until finely chopped.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chopped mixture, soaked breadcrumbs, ground chicken, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until just combined.
5. Roll into 18–20 meatballs, about 2.5 inches each. Place on the baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and cooked through.
6. In a skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside.
7. In the same pan, melt butter, add garlic, and cook until fragrant. Pour in cream and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
8. Add salt, pepper, and whisk in Parmesan until melted and creamy. Stir in spinach until just wilted.
9. Add baked meatballs to the skillet, cooking 2 more minutes until coated. Top with chopped bacon and fresh parsley.
10. Serve hot with pasta, bread, or low-carb zucchini noodles.
Notes
Mix meatballs lightly to avoid dense texture.
Don’t skip soaking breadcrumbs—it keeps meatballs juicy.
Use a thermometer to check internal temp reaches 165°F.
Simmer sauce slowly to avoid grainy texture.
Make ahead by baking meatballs and storing separately from sauce.
Freeze extras for a fast future meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 206 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 506 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg