Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground chicken
02 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
03 - 1 egg
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp paprika
11 - 3 tbsp olive oil

→ For the sauce

12 - 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/2 cup milk
16 - 1/4 tsp nutmeg
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
03 - Shape the mixture into meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
04 - While the meatballs are baking, prepare the spinach Alfredo sauce. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped spinach. Cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
05 - Add the heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, milk, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
06 - Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat them evenly. Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favorite pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice, garnishing with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.

# Notes:

01 - Try using ground turkey or a mix of ground chicken and pork for a twist on the meatballs.
02 - Add finely chopped onion or bell peppers to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
03 - For a lower-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
04 - Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the Alfredo sauce for a spicier kick.

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