Ricotta Meatballs: 5 Tips for Crafting a Cheesy Culinary Masterpiece

What is a recipe that changed our house? What is Ricotta Meatballs? Forget everything you think you know about dry, dense meatballs – these are unbelievably tender and dense. What makes it juicy, bursting with flavor, all thanks to a secret ingredient? What is ricotta cheese? My grandmother, Nonna Emilia, always made meatballs but they were never like these! What’s the best thing? They’re surprisingly easy to Make, even on a busy weeknight. Prepare to have your mind blown! This recipe is so incredibly flavorful and the texture is just divine What is it like to eat a tomato and you’ll understand why I rave about it so much? What are the best time of year to make them?

What is Ricotta Meatballs?

What exactly are we talking about here? Think of it as your classic meatball recipe, but elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness. What is ground meat? What’s the magic ingredient? Breadcrumbs, herbs, spices, and magic ingredients? What are some good ways to make creamy The ricotta keeps the meatballs moist and incredibly tender, preventing them from drying out during cooking. What are some of the best meatball recipes? We then bake or cook on the stovetop, and then we have something delicious!

How do you make Ricotta Meatballs?

Quick Overview

How do you make Ricotta Meatballs? We start by combining all the ingredients in a bowl, gently mixing them together until just combined. What is the key here is not to overmix, as that can make the meatballs tough. I find that using a light hand and mixing until everything is just incorporated works best. How do I make meatballs? We either bake them in the oven or cook them on a skillet. When they’re golden brown and cooked through, flip them over and serve. I also sometimes toss them into a crockpot, which also works great!

Ingredients

For the Ricotta Meatballs:
* 1 pound ground beef (I like to use 80/20 for flavor)
* 1 pound ground pork
* 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk, please! It makes a difference)
* 1 cup breadcrumbs (I prefer Italian seasoned)
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

For Cooking:
* 2 tablespoons olive oil (for skillet cooking)
* Your favorite marinara sauce (for serving)

How do I follow the

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

If baking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. How do you cook meatballs? If cooking in a large skillet, have your olive oil ready to go.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and salt. Set aside. Cheese, eggs, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined. Do not overmix meatballs, as this will make them tough. This is very important! My grandmother always warned against this.

Step 3: Form Meatballs

How do you make meatballs? I like to make them about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, but you can make smaller or larger. What is your preference? Place meatballs on a baking sheet or set aside if you’re using an electric skillet.

Step 4: Cook Meatballs

Baking:Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through. What is the internal temperature of a room?
Skillet:In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the salt and pepper. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until they’re golden brown on all sides and cooked through. What is the best way to do this?

Step 5: Simmer in Sauce (Optional)

For even more flavor, you can simmer the cooked meatballs in your favorite marinara sauce for at least a week. At least 30 minutes. How do meatballs absorb sauce? How does it make your house smell amazing?

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Serve Ricotta Meatballs over pasta, in sandwiches, or as appetizers. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Don’t forget to have plenty of marinara sauce on hand for dipping!

What should I serve it with?

What are some of the best Ricotta Meatballs? What is the best way to enjoy spaghetti with marinara sauce? What is a classic combination that’s always crowd-pleaser? What are some other serving suggestions?

For Sandwiches: Stuff the meatballs into crusty rolls with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for a delicious meatball sub. This is such a simple lunch!

As Appetizers: Serve the meatballs on a platter with toothpicks and marinara sauce for dipping. They’re perfect for parties and gatherings.

With Polenta:Serve meatballs with polenta for a comforting meal.

In Soups:Add meatballs to soup recipes for a hearty boost.

My family loves Mashed Potatoes. They are delicious. Is the combination of meatballs and creamy potatoes a bit unconventional?

Top Tips for Perfecting Your Ricotta Meatballs

How do I make Ricotta Meatballs? What are the top tips I should know before starting my blog?

Don’t Overmix:As I mentioned earlier, it’s crucial not to overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing meatballs can make them tough and dense. Gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated.

How do I make high quality RicottWhat is the best ricotta cheese recipe? What are some advantages of low fat ricotta?

Add Moisture: If your meatball mixture seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of milk or water to help bind the ingredients together. This will also help keep the meatballs moist and tender.

Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to season the meatball mixture generously with salt, pepper, and herbs. The seasoning will help bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and make the meatballs even more delicious.

Test a Meatball: Before cooking all the meatballs, cook a small test meatball to check the seasoning and adjust as needed. This will ensure that the finished meatballs are perfectly seasoned to your liking.

Don’t Overcook: Overcooked meatballs will be dry and tough. Be sure to cook the meatballs until they’re just cooked through. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) is what you’re aiming for.

Storing and Reheating Tips

These Ricotta Meatballs are perfect for making ahead of time. Here’s How to store and reheat them:

Refrigerating: Cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, place the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Reheating: To reheat refrigerated meatballs, simply place them in a skillet with marinara sauce and simmer over low heat until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave or in the oven. To reheat frozen meatballs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat as directed above.

Sauce Timing: If you plan on storing the meatballs, I recommend storing them separately from the sauce. This will prevent the meatballs from becoming soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks! My recipe for the best Ricotta Meatballs you’ll ever make. I truly hope you give this recipe a try. I know you won’t be disappointed. They’re incredibly flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. And if you love this recipe, be sure to check out my other meatball variations, like my spicy Italian meatballs or my chicken and spinach meatballs. Happy cooking! And please let me know how yours turns out, ok?

Ricotta Meatballs

Delicious and easy Ricotta Meatballs, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

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Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef Lean ground beef recommended
• 1 cup Ricotta Cheese Whole milk ricotta
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs Italian seasoned
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg Lightly beaten
• 2 cloves Garlic Minced
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper

For the Sauce

• 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 clove Garlic Minced
• 0.5 tsp Dried Basil
• 0.25 tsp Salt
• 0.125 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

 

Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
• Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. This doesn't need to be cooked through.
• Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
• Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
• Serve over your favorite pasta or with a side of crusty bread.

Notes

These meatballs are also great in meatball subs!