🍴 Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce 🧀

"Whip up a comforting delight for your family tonight!"

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️

For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil for frying

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Begin with the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley if using. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients.
2. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, forming about 16-18 meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. For the sauce, use the same skillet to melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens.
6. Add spinach, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, continuing to cook until the spinach has wilted and is fully incorporated into the sauce.
7. Return the meatballs to the skillet, tossing them in the Alfredo sauce to coat evenly. Simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
8. Serve the meatballs and sauce over your choice of pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. Optionally, garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 650 per serving
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Proteins: 38g
- Fats: 48g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, and use low-fat ricotta cheese.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce gives it a nice kick if you enjoy a bit of heat.

⏳ Preparation time 🍰
Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Serving: 4

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