Description
These Ricotta Meatballs with a Crispy Topping are a delicious twist on traditional meatballs, combining ground turkey and creamy ricotta for tender, flavorful bites. Baked to perfection and finished with a golden, cheesy panko topping broiled to crispy perfection, they’re perfect served in rich tomato sauce alongside a green salad and garlic bread.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb. ground turkey (93/7 lean, or ground chicken/other ground meat as preferred)
- 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Topping
- 1 jar (28-32 ounces) tomato sauce (marinara or pasta sauce)
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Chopped parsley (to taste)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare your ingredients and gather the necessary items.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, full-fat ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup panko, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix until just combined.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 20-24 small meatballs, roughly the size of a golf ball.
- Prepare Pan: Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a shallow Dutch oven or oven-safe pan to prevent sticking. Place the formed meatballs evenly in the pan.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs on the middle oven rack for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through. Use a spatula to gently loosen them from the pan to check for browning.
- Add Sauce: Pour the jar of tomato sauce directly over the meatballs in the pan and stir gently to coat all the meatballs.
- Prepare Crispy Topping: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup panko, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and chopped parsley until combined.
- Apply Topping: Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the sauced meatballs.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes to warm the sauce. Then, switch the oven to the broiler setting and broil for 2-3 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot. These meatballs are excellent with a green salad and garlic bread for dipping in the sauce.
Notes
- Ground chicken or other ground meats can be substituted for turkey as desired.
- Using full-fat ricotta provides the best texture and flavor.
- Watch the broiler closely during the final step to avoid burning the topping.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
- Ensure meatballs are cooked through by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
