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Ricotta Meatballs (4 Ways!) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 73 reviews

These Ricotta Meatballs are a flavorful and tender take on classic Italian meatballs, enriched with a herb-infused ricotta mixture and cooked gently in marinara sauce. The recipe features a mixture of ground meats for depth, flavored with fresh herbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, then seared and simmered in sauce before being topped with creamy ricotta for a luscious finish. Perfect as a comforting family dinner served with pasta or crusty bread.

Ingredients

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Herb Ricotta Mixture

  • 15 oz. Ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Meatballs

  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, whisked
  • ½ cup half and half (can substitute cream)
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ⅓ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley, plus more to garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lb. ground chuck (80% lean)
  • ½ lb. ground pork (or substitute ground sausage or veal)

Sauce and Cooking

  • 32 oz. marinara sauce (Rao’s recommended)
  • ½ cup olive oil, divided
  • ¼+ cup water (optional, to adjust sauce consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Herb Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, minced garlic, dried basil, oregano, and parsley. Stir well and set aside.
  2. Cook Onions and Garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and soften for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the egg and half and half together. Add Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, and ¾ cup of the prepared herb ricotta mixture. Add the cooled onions and garlic and mix well.
  4. Add Meat and Season: Season ground chuck and ground pork with salt and black pepper. Add the meat to the bowl with the other ingredients and gently combine by hand, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
  5. Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs and place them on a tray. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
  6. Brown Meatballs: In a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat, using enough oil to cover meatballs halfway. Brown the meatballs in batches without overcrowding the pan, allowing about 1 ½ minutes per side until nicely browned. Use tongs to carefully remove meatballs and set aside.
  7. Sauce Preparation: Remove excess oil from the skillet. Pour in 32 oz. marinara sauce and add about ¼ cup or more of water to thin the sauce slightly if needed. The sauce will thicken as it cooks, especially with ricotta added later.
  8. Cook Meatballs in Sauce: Return meatballs to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and simmer for 30 minutes over medium heat, partially covered to allow some evaporation and thickness.
  9. Add Remaining Ricotta Mixture: Dollop the remaining herb ricotta mixture on top of the meatballs in the last 15 minutes of cooking and let it heat through gently in the sauce.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the meatballs with extra fresh parsley and serve hot, ideally with your favorite pasta or crusty bread.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use Rao’s marinara sauce or prepare your own homemade marinara.
  • You can vary the ground meats, using pork, sausage, veal, or any mix you prefer.
  • Freshly grate Parmesan cheese from a wedge instead of packaged grated cheese for better texture and flavor.
  • Coat your hands lightly with oil when shaping meatballs to prevent sticking.
  • Try alternate cooking methods like baking or slow cooking to vary texture and convenience.
  • This recipe is featured on page 159 of the cookbook “Let’s Eat!” which includes more delicious variations.

Keywords: Ricotta meatballs, Italian meatballs, ground beef meatballs, meatballs in marinara, herb ricotta meatballs, dinner recipes, comfort food

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/ricotta-meatballs-4-ways-recipe/