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Ricotta Meatballs with Crispy Topping Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 148 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (20-24 meatballs)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

These Ricotta Meatballs with The Crispy Topping are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Made with ground turkey, creamy ricotta, and Parmesan cheese, then baked to perfection and topped with a savory crispy blend of panko and Parmesan, these meatballs are delicious served with tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting family meal alongside a green salad and garlic bread for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground turkey (93/7 lean, or ground chicken or other ground meat)
  • 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 jar (28-32 ounces) tomato sauce (marinara or pasta sauce)
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Mix: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, panko, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning thoroughly to form the meatball mixture.
  2. Form Meatballs and Prepare Pan: Roll the mixture into 20-24 small meatballs. Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a shallow Dutch oven or oven-safe pan to prevent sticking, then arrange the meatballs evenly in the pan.
  3. Bake Meatballs: Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and browned at the bottom. Gently loosen them with a spatula before proceeding.
  4. Add Sauce and Coat: Pour the jar of tomato sauce directly over the meatballs in the pan and stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly with sauce.
  5. Prepare Crispy Topping: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and chopped parsley until well combined.
  6. Top and Final Bake: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the sauced meatballs. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes to warm the sauce and crisp the topping slightly.
  7. Broil for Crispiness: Turn on the broiler and broil the meatballs for 2-3 minutes or until the breadcrumb topping is golden and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot, ideally paired with a green salad and garlic bread for dipping in the sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

  • These meatballs are easy to prepare and perfect for a family-friendly meal.
  • Using 93/7 ground turkey keeps the meatballs lean but tender and juicy with the addition of ricotta cheese.
  • The crispy topping of panko and Parmesan adds a delightful texture that contrasts nicely with the saucy meatballs.
  • This recipe is flexible—feel free to swap ground turkey with chicken, beef, or pork according to your preference.
  • Serve with sides like garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 5-6 meatballs)
  • Calories: 388
  • Sugar: 8.8 g
  • Sodium: 1536 mg
  • Fat: 18.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11.7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 3.7 g
  • Protein: 29.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 87 mg

Find it online: https://littlespoonbites.com/ricotta-meatballs-with-crispy-topping-recipe/