Southern-Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

What Are Southern-Style Chicken Ricotta Meatballs?

When comfort food meets creamy indulgence, you get something like these southern style baked chicken ricotta meatballs with spinach alfredo sauce. This dish brings together tender, oven-baked meatballs and a rich Southern-style Alfredo sauce enhanced with sautéed spinach. It’s the recipe that warms your home and fills your kitchen with the aroma of garlic, butter, and herbs.

These aren’t your typical meatballs. Made with ground chicken and creamy ricotta cheese, they stay incredibly moist and tender while forming a light golden crust in the oven. Unlike traditional Italian or Mediterranean versions, this Southern-style twist layers in hearty cream, spice, and a soul-food-style richness that turns this into a full meal, not just a side or topping.

Whether served over creamy grits, spooned over pasta, or paired with warm buttermilk biscuits, this comforting dish embodies Southern hospitality with a modern gourmet touch.

Why Ricotta Makes the Juiciest Meatballs

Many meatball recipes rely on breadcrumbs or eggs alone to bind ingredients and add moisture. But ricotta cheese elevates the dish.

Benefits of Using Ricotta in Meatballs

• Moisture Retention: Ricotta is naturally moist and helps keep the chicken from drying during baking.
• Creamy Texture: It creates a silky interior that feels rich but never heavy.
• Mild Flavor Base: Ricotta allows flavors like garlic, herbs, and Parmesan to shine.

In Southern-style cooking, richness is often prized, but without heaviness. Ricotta strikes that balance beautifully.

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs

Here’s everything you need for both the meatballs and the spinach Alfredo sauce:

Use fresh ricotta and choose fresh spinach over frozen to avoid excess moisture for best results.

How to Make Chicken Ricotta Meatballs in the Oven

Baking meatballs makes for easier cleanup and keeps them tender and less greasy than frying. Here’s how to prepare these Southern-style baked chicken ricotta meatballs:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone mat.

2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients

• Combine the ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• Mix gently with hands or a spatula until combined—do not overwork.

3. Shape and Bake

• Use a cookie scoop or oiled hands to shape meatballs (about 1½ inches in diameter).
• Place evenly on the prepared sheet.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes until lightly browned and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F).

While the meatballs bake, it’s time to prepare the sauce…

Creamy Spinach Alfredo Sauce: Southern Comfort in a Pan

The soul of this dish lies in the velvety spinach Alfredo sauce. Unlike heavy restaurant versions, this one is made Southern-style—with butter, cream, and a good dose of garlic and Parmesan.

How to Make the Sauce

1. Sauté Garlic: Melt butter over medium heat in a skillet and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute.
2. Build the Base: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until it forms a roux. Slowly add the milk or half-and-half.
3. Add Cheese & Spinach: Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped spinach. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the spinach wilts.
4. Season: Add salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using) to taste.

Pour this sauce over the warm chicken ricotta meatballs, or toss everything in a skillet and let the sauce soak into the baked meatballs for a minute or two.

Best Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

Creating the ideal texture is part technique, part ingredient choice. Here’s how to elevate this recipe to restaurant-quality:

Tips for Better Meatballs

• Don’t Overmix: Gently fold ingredients until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
• Use Room Temp Ricotta: Helps it blend more easily and evenly.
• Rest the Mixture: Let the mixture chill for 15 minutes before shaping. This will firm up the mixture and help it hold its shape better.

Sauce Enhancements

• Freshly Grated Parmesan melts better and tastes brighter than pre-packaged varieties.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, thin with a splash of reserved pasta water or milk.

Serving Suggestions: Pasta, Grits, or Biscuits?

The beauty of Southern-style baked chicken ricotta meatballs with spinach Alfredo sauce is their versatility. This dish pairs beautifully with several comforting sides, depending on your mood or occasion.

Delicious Pairing Ideas

• Buttery Grits: For a true Southern experience, serve the meatballs over creamy stone-ground grits. Their soft texture perfectly soaks up the Alfredo sauce.
• Pasta: Choose fettuccine, penne, or egg noodles for a satisfying, Italian-Southern fusion.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy garlic mashed potatoes turn this into a stick-to-your-ribs meal.
• Buttermilk Biscuits: Scoop the meatballs and sauce onto split biscuits for a cozy Sunday supper feel.
• Zoodles or Spaghetti Squash: Go low-carb with spiralized veggies for a lighter touch.

If serving at a potluck, consider offering small meatballs as an appetizer with sauce on the side for dipping.

Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions

Life’s easier when meals can be prepped; this one’s ideal for batch cooking.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Meatball Mixture: Can be prepared a day ahead and stored covered in the fridge.
• Cooked Meatballs: Bake, cool, and refrigerate for 3 days.
• Alfredo Sauce is best made fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezing Instructions

Tip: Label and date containers for easier freezer management.

Variations: Add Cajun Heat, or Greens

One of the joys of cooking at home is making a recipe your own. This one adapts beautifully to your preferences or pantry.

Flavor Boost Ideas

• Cajun Kick: Add 1–2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to the meatball mix or sauce for a bold flavor.
• Spicy Spinach Alfredo: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or a chicken-pork mix.
• Use kale or arugula instead of spinach.
• Go dairy-free by using plant-based ricotta and vegan Parmesan.

These twists add variety while keeping the dish grounded in its Southern-style comfort roots.

What to Serve with Southern-Style Chicken Meatballs

Here are some tried-and-true pairings that enhance flavor and texture to round out your meal.

Side Dish Favorites

And don’t forget a glass of sweet tea or sparkling lemonade to finish things off.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you’re lucky to have leftovers, these meatballs store and reheat beautifully.

Fridge Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Keep the sauce and meatballs separate if possible to maintain texture.

Reheating Tips

• Microwave: Use low-medium heat in 30-second bursts to avoid drying out.
• Stovetop: Reheat over low heat in a covered skillet with a splash of milk or water.
• Oven: Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F until hot.

Avoid boiling the Alfredo sauce—it can separate.

Bringing It All Together

Something is comforting and nostalgic about sitting down to a plate of Southern-style baked chicken, ricotta meatballs with spinach Alfredo sauce. The flavors are rich but balanced, the textures soft yet hearty, and the possibilities for pairing or customizing are endless.

Whether cooking for a quiet family dinner or a big gathering, this recipe offers Southern soul and modern flair. Once you taste the juicy chicken meatballs nestled in that velvety spinach Alfredo, it might earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.

Get inspired with more mouthwatering recipes! Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and subscribe to YouTube for new cooking ideas every week.

Southern-Style Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

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• Author: Jack Morgan
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Southern-style baked chicken ricotta meatballs are tender, flavorful, and oven-baked to perfection, then smothered in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce for a comforting and versatile dish ideal for family dinners or cozy gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground chicken

• 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs

• 1 large egg

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

2. Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.

3. Shape meatballs: Form into 1½-inch balls using oiled hands or a cookie scoop.

4. Bake: Place the meatballs on the prepared sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. To make Alfredo sauce, melt butter in a skillet, sauté garlic, and stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened.

6. Add cheese and spinach: Stir in Parmesan, black pepper, salt, and spinach. Simmer until the spinach is wilted and the sauce is creamy.

7. Combine: Add baked meatballs to the sauce or pour sauce over meatballs. Garnish with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired.

Notes

Use fresh spinach for the best texture; squeeze out excess moisture if using frozen.

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid toughness.

Meatballs and sauce can be prepared ahead and stored separately.

The sauce may thicken after cooling; add a splash of milk when reheating.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: southern-style comfort food, chicken ricotta meatballs, baked meatballs, spinach Alfredo sauce, creamy chicken dinner, weeknight recipes, Southern baked recipes, freezer-friendly meals