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Ricotta Meatballs with Crispy Parmesan Topping Recipe

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3.9 from 39 reviews

These Ricotta Meatballs with a Crispy Topping offer a delicious twist on classic meatballs by incorporating creamy ricotta cheese into the blend and finishing with a golden, crispy panko and Parmesan topping. Baked to perfection in the oven and served in a rich tomato sauce, these meatballs are perfect for a comforting family dinner, especially when paired with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for dipping.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (20-24 meatballs)

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb. ground turkey (93/7 lean, or substitute ground chicken or any ground meat of choice)
  • 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

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

Crispy Topping

  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Chopped parsley, to taste
  • Olive oil, for drizzling in the pan

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, panko, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
  2. Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 20-24 small, evenly sized meatballs to ensure uniform cooking. Drizzle a shallow oven-safe pan or Dutch oven with olive oil to prevent sticking and place the meatballs inside, spacing slightly apart.
  3. Bake Meatballs: Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. After baking, gently loosen the meatballs from the pan bottom with a spatula to check for nicely browned bottoms, indicating caramelization and flavor development.
  4. Add Sauce: Pour the tomato sauce directly into the pan with the meatballs and gently stir to coat all the meatballs evenly in the sauce.
  5. Prepare Crispy Topping: In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and chopped parsley until combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sauced meatballs.
  6. Final Bake & Broil: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes to heat the sauce through. Then, switch the oven to broil and broil the meatballs for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until the topping is golden and crispy without burning.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately. These ricotta meatballs are excellent alongside a fresh green salad and garlic bread, perfect for dipping into the flavorful sauce.

Notes

  • Using ground turkey 93/7 ensures lean meatballs without too much fat; ground chicken or other meats can be substituted.
  • Full-fat ricotta adds moisture and tenderness to the meatballs.
  • The crispy topping is optional but highly recommended for texture contrast.
  • Watch the broiler closely during the final step to prevent burning the topping.
  • Serve with sides like garlic bread or pasta for a full meal.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/ricotta-meatballs-with-crispy-parmesan-topping-recipe/