Description
These Baked Ricotta Meatballs with Marinara combine the richness of ricotta cheese with perfectly seasoned ground beef for a tender, flavorful main dish. Baking the meatballs instead of frying makes this recipe healthier while still delivering that classic Italian comfort food experience. Serve over pasta, in sandwiches, or as an appetizer for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, ground beef, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until well combined but not overworked.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and gently place them in the marinara sauce. Let them simmer for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
- These meatballs freeze beautifully! Make a double batch and freeze uncooked meatballs for a quick weeknight meal.
- The ricotta cheese keeps these meatballs incredibly tender and moist.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the beef.
- Serve over spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: ricotta meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, comfort food, easy dinner