This was my absolute favorite dish back in the day. I couldn’t get enough and always asked my mom to whip it up.

Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
This cozy Southern-inspired dish features juicy, oven-baked chicken meatballs enriched with creamy ricotta and served in a velvety spinach Alfredo sauce. It’s the perfect fusion of comfort and flavor.

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🧾 Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

Ingredient	Amount
Ground chicken	1 lb
Ricotta cheese	1 cup
Egg	1
Grated Parmesan (for meatballs)	1/2 cup
Breadcrumbs	1/2 cup
Garlic (minced)	2 cloves
Fresh parsley (chopped)	1/4 cup
Salt	1 tsp
Black pepper	1/2 tsp
Paprika	1/2 tsp
Olive oil (for drizzling)	3 tbsp

For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:

Ingredient	Amount
Fresh spinach (chopped)	2 cups
Olive oil (for sautéing)	1 tbsp
Heavy cream	1 cup
Grated Parmesan (for sauce)	1 cup
Milk	1/2 cup
Ground nutmeg	1/4 tsp
Salt and pepper	To taste

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🍴 How to Make It

✅ For the Meatballs:

Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Make the Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir or mix by hand until everything is evenly blended.

Step 3: Form the Meatballs
Shape into balls about the size of a golf ball and place on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil to help them brown nicely.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and lightly golden (internal temp should be 165°F / 74°C).

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✅ For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:

Step 1: Cook the Spinach
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook for 3–4 minutes until wilted.

Step 2: Make the Alfredo Base
Lower the heat. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and Parmesan. Whisk until smooth and combined.

Step 3: Finish the Sauce
Add a pinch of nutmeg along with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until thickened.

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🍽️ Bringing It All Together:

Step 1: Combine Meatballs with Sauce
Once baked, add the meatballs into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat them well without breaking them apart.

Step 2: Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or veggie noodles like zucchini for a lower-carb option. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.