These Ricotta Meatballs are a simple yet scrumptious family favorite! Soft, flavorful homemade meatballs paired with a jar of quality marinara and a crunchy topping to complete the dish. YUM!
In This Article
See How to Create These Ricotta Meatballs
I Have a New Meatball Enthusiasm.
Not to stir up trouble, but there may be some drama.
For a long time, my go-to has been these traditional baked chicken meatballs. And I’m still a fan!
However, there’s a new contender in the arena. RICOTTA meatballs, to be precise! They’ve made a significant impact on my culinary experience. They are remarkably tender, juicy, convenient, and oh-so-delicious.
Picture this: You walk through the door after school / work / life and are welcomed by the aroma of warm garlic bread. You spot someone (perhaps it’s you – play along) taking a skillet of crispy meatballs in a bubbling sauce out of the oven. A bowl of fresh salad is placed on the table. Family starts to gather, forks are flying, dipping and munching begins.
There’s no greater feeling than being loved in this manner. ♡
I’ve prepared these with both ground chicken and turkey – I lean towards turkey, possibly due to its slightly higher fat content? Ground beef or Italian sausage works as well – and consider mixing different meats because this recipe is perfect for doubling.
When it comes to serving, we simply can’t resist pairing these with garlic bread. I’m completely enamored with this garlic bread. But classic buttered noodles can also do the trick! For veggies, a straightforward green salad, pre-packaged Caesar salad, or steam-in-the-bag green beans all make for superb side options.
I adore these meatballs because – all thanks to that ricotta! – they’re juicy, rich, and full of flavor. Bjork appreciates them because of the protein content. Our daughters LOVE these meatballs for reasons only kids can understand, but the love is palpable. Our 3-year-old said a prayer before dinner recently, folded her hands, shut her little eyes, and solemnly stated, in her tiny voice, “God, thank you that Mom made these meatballs.”
I sincerely hope you treasure them as much as we do!
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Prepare Ricotta Meatballs!
Combine the meatball ingredients.
Everything goes into one bowl! No cutting board needed.
Shape into Meatballs.
Set them in an oiled pan to avoid sticking – I favor this one from Lodge, but really any oven-safe dish will do! (affiliate link)
Bake the Meatballs.
400 degrees for 20-25 minutes until they reach golden, juicy perfection.
Incorporate Sauce.
I simply pour a jar of sauce directly into the pan.
Sprinkle the crispy topping.
Optional but delightful! Adds a little texture and flair. Broil for a few minutes to crisp it up!
You’re finished! Delicious!
Dig into that skillet of delightful goodness.
Ricotta Meatballs with a Crunchy Topping
Total Time:
40 minutesYield:
4–5 servings 1x
Description
These Ricotta Meatballs are a straightforward and tasty family favorite! Soft, moist homemade meatballs with a jar of quality marinara and a crisp topping to top it all off. YUM!
Ingredients
Scale
Ricotta Meatballs
Crispy Topping & Extras
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine all meatball components.
- Meatballs: Form mixture into 20-24 small meatballs. Pour a little olive oil into the base of a shallow Dutch oven or an oven-safe pan to avoid sticking. Arrange the meatballs in the pan.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes on a middle rack. Carefully loosen them from the bottom of the pan with a spatula; they should have developed an appealing browning.
- Sauce: Introduce the tomato sauce straight into the pan with the meatballs and stir to coat evenly.
- Optional Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup panko, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and parsley. Sprinkle atop the meatballs and sauce.
- Final Bake: Return to the oven for 5-7 minutes to warm the sauce. Switch on the broiler for the final 2-3 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden topping (just watch closely to prevent burning).
- You’re all set! Enjoy this deliciousness! SO wonderful paired with a green salad and garlic bread for dipping into the sauce!
Notes
The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to ensure they are cooked fully. If you are using a deeper pot than shown here, such as a full-size Dutch oven with higher sides, you might need to increase cooking time or cover to ensure the meatballs cook properly (according to feedback from readers who used other types of pans – thanks for sharing)!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: meatballs, baked meatballs, italian meatballs, easy dinner recipe, meatball recipe
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricotta Meatballs
How can I prepare this dairy-free?
These meatballs depend on ricotta for their tenderness and binding, so for a dairy-free approach, I suggest trying these baked chicken meatballs instead! They are one of our most loved recipes, and can easily be made dairy-free by omitting the Parmesan.
How can this be made gluten-free?
You could use gluten-free breadcrumbs!
What is your preferred type of tomato sauce?
I enjoy both Rao’s and DeLallo tomato sauces!
Can I use ground beef for this recipe?
Absolutely!
What do you pair these meatballs with?
This garlic bread is essential for me, even if it’s store-bought—it’s fantastic to have something to dip into that sauce. Another great option would be simple buttered noodles. For veggies, I often make a quick Caesar salad, an Italian salad with romaine, spinach, cucumber, and some store-bought dressing, or this easy green salad.