Description
Delectable Ricotta Meatballs: The Creamiest Italian Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 24 ounce marinara sauce
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients together until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
2. Scoop out approximately 2 tablespoon of the meatball mixture and roll it into a smooth, uniform ball. Repeat this process until you have 16-20 meatballs, depending on your desired size.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the meatballs in the hot oil and brown them on all sides, about 5 minutes total. This step helps to lock in the flavors and creates a delightful golden-brown crust.
4. Pour the marinara sauce over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Notes
For those with dietary restrictions, you can easily adapt this recipe by substituting the ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein alternatives. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning and cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg