How to Make Chef John's Ricotta Meatballs - A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking for a delicious and hearty meal that will satisfy the entire family, look no further! Chef John's Ricotta Meatballs are a crowd-pleasing favorite that are sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.

These meatballs are a combination of ground beef and pork, mixed with ricotta cheese to create a tender and flavorful bite. The addition of Italian seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan cheese gives these meatballs a deliciously savory flavor that pairs perfectly with yo...

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Ingredients

  • ½ onion, minced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup packed chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • ⅓ cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1 (28 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 32 meatballs

  • Sauté onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion and turn off heat. Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  • Stir ground beef, ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper with onion mixture until almost combined; stir in bread crumbs and continue to mix until thoroughly blended.
  • Roll about 2 tablespoons of mixture into a 1-inch ball for each meatball. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in same skillet used to cook onions. Place skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides in hot oil, about 5 minutes. Hold a crumpled paper towel in tongs and use it to remove excess grease from skillet.
  • Pour marinara sauce and water over meatballs in skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    331 cal.

    • Total Fat: 21g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 75mg
    • Sodium: 865mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 19g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 9g
    • Protein: 16g
    • Vitamin C: 5mg
    • Calcium: 109mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 503mg