Ricotta Meatballs

I have so many meatball recipes on my website, and for good reason. Usually I’m making them with ground turkey, which is a lean protein and a more affordable option. They’re also so customizable, from my turkey meatball curry, to Greek turkey meatballs, to teriyaki turkey meatballs, I have so many options. But sometimes, you just want a classic meatball to serve with pasta, crusty bread to soak up all the sauce, or make into a meatball sub sandwich. In this recipe we are using both ground turkey and ground beef to keep it leaner but also add extra flavor and moisture from the beef. And the addition of ricotta to meatballs is absolutely the move, it adds the perfect texture and flavor. Trust me, this is the last classic meatball recipe you’ll ever need.

Ingredients for Ricotta Meatballs

• Ground turkey and ground beef
• Ricotta cheese
• Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• Garlic powder and onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• Oregano

How to Make Ricotta Meatballs

• Meatballs are simple, combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix together, and cook! In a large bowl combine your ground beef and ground turkey, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. The ricotta cheese makes these meatballs so tender and delicious!
• Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and form the mixture into meatballs. I love using my braiser for this, but you can use any dish you like that you can fit all the meatballs in.
• These meatballs are baked to keep things as easy as possible. While they’re baking, mix together your sauce which is mostly made from your favorite pasta sauce with the addition of some seasonings. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, bake for a little longer to heat throughout, and top with lots of fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
• Serve these meatballs with crusty sourdough, over pasta, or as a meatball sub.
• These meatballs can also be baked in advance and frozen. Simply reheat with the sauce and enjoy!
• They are also packed with protein and a great meal prep option with some veggies on the side.

Questions?

• Can I make these in advance? Yes! You can make them in advance and freeze them before adding the sauce, or you can make them earlier in the day for an easy reheat later with the sauce added.
• What do I do with leftovers? Leftovers reheat so well. In fact, this is a great option for meal prep since you’ll have a high protein option for dinner or lunch the next day.
• This recipe makes a large batch! Can I cut it in half? Yes. You can easily make half the meatballs, or you can make half of the recipe now to enjoy with sauce and freeze the rest of the meatballs to enjoy later.