Ricotta Meatballs with Crispy Topping Recipe

Introduction

These Ricotta Meatballs with a Crispy Topping are tender, flavorful, and packed with cheesy goodness. Baked in a rich tomato sauce and finished with a golden panko-Parmesan crust, they make for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground turkey (93/7) or ground chicken
• 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 jar (28-32 oz) tomato sauce (marinara or pasta sauce)
• 1/4 cup panko
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup panko, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix until evenly blended.
2. Step 2: 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. Place the meatballs evenly in the pan.
3. Step 3: Bake the meatballs on the middle oven rack for 20-25 minutes. Gently loosen them from the pan with a spatula once browned.
4. Step 4: Pour the jar of tomato sauce directly over the meatballs and stir gently to coat them all in sauce.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup panko, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and chopped parsley. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sauced meatballs.
6. Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes to warm the sauce through. For a crispy topping, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely until the topping is golden brown.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and serve hot. These meatballs are delicious with a green salad and garlic bread for dipping into the sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground chicken, beef, or pork as a substitute if you prefer a different meat.
• For extra moisture, add a small egg to the meatball mixture.
• Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be added for more flavor.
• If you want a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or meatball mix.
• Serve with pasta or polenta for a hearty meal.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked meatballs in sauce for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs without ricotta?

Yes, you can omit ricotta and add an extra egg or some breadcrumbs soaked in milk to keep the meatballs moist.

How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart?

Be sure to mix the ingredients gently but thoroughly and avoid overworking the mixture. Adding panko and cheese helps bind the meatballs, and preheating the pan with olive oil prevents sticking during baking.

Ricotta Meatballs with Crispy Topping Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews

These Ricotta Meatballs with The Crispy Topping are a flavorful and hearty dish featuring ground turkey blended with creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden perfection and finished under the broiler with a crunchy Parmesan-panko topping, these meatballs are perfect served in a rich tomato sauce alongside a green salad and garlic bread for dipping.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 20–24 meatballs, serves about 4–6 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

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Meatballs

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

Sauce

• 1 jar tomato sauce (28–32 ounces, marinara or pasta sauce)

Crispy Topping

• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the meatballs.
2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated but avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
3. Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 20-24 small, evenly sized meatballs to promote even cooking.
4. Prepare Baking Pan: Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a shallow Dutch oven or oven-safe baking pan to prevent sticking.
5. Bake Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the prepared pan, ensuring they have space between them. Bake on the middle oven rack for 20-25 minutes until nicely browned on the bottom.
6. Add Sauce: Pour the jar of tomato sauce over the baked meatballs in the pan and gently stir to coat all meatballs thoroughly.
7. Prepare Crispy Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and chopped parsley.
8. Top Meatballs: Sprinkle the crispy topping evenly over the sauced meatballs.
9. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven for 5-7 minutes to warm the sauce. Then, turn on the broiler and broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp and golden the topping, watching carefully to prevent burning.
10. Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately. These meatballs pair wonderfully with a green salad and garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, pork, or a combination according to your preference.
• Ensure not to overmix the meatball ingredients to keep the texture tender.
• When broiling the topping, watch carefully as it can burn quickly.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• These meatballs freeze well both before and after baking—freeze raw for later cooking or freeze cooked with sauce for a quick meal.

Keywords: Ricotta meatballs, turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, crispy topping, Italian meatballs, easy dinner