Description
Hey there, food-loving friends! If you’re anything like me, you sometimes find yourself in the kitchen, staring blankly at your pantry, wondering how to whip up a meal that won’t take hours to prepare and will still wow your family. Well, let me introduce you to a dish that’ll save you from those dinner dilemmas: Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs and Spinach Alfredo! 🍝✨ It’s delicious, comforting, and most importantly, super easy to make. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want to impress your loved ones without losing your sanity in the process!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Fisrt, start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Trust me, this will help get those meatballs nice and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Mix It Up: Then grab a large bowl and mix together your ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Remember, no need to overmix—think of it as a gentle love tap rather than a wrestling match!
- Shape Them Meatballs: After, form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. (If you’re feeling fancy, you can make them a little smaller or larger, depending on your mood!) Place them in a greased baking dish, giving them space to breathe.
- Bake Away: After that, pop that baking dish into the oven and let the magic happen for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C). You’ll know they’re done when your kitchen smells like heaven on a rainy day.
- Sauce It Up: While the meatballs are baking, heat your marinara sauce in a saucepan. Want to give it a little extra flair? Toss in some additional spinach for color and nutrients.
- Simmer and Serve: Finally, once the meatballs are out of the oven, nestle them right into the warm marinara sauce. Let them simmer together for about 5 minutes—this is where the flavors really come to life!
Notes
- Don’t worry if your sauce looks a little lumpy—it’s all part of the magic! Embrace those imperfections; they add character! 😄
- Make-ahead alert! You can prep the meatballs a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and serve.