Ingredients
For the Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
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½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
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½ cup milk
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1 medium onion, finely chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
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¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
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1.5 pounds ground chicken
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6 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese (about ¾ cup)
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1 large egg
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⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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Salt, to taste
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Cooking oil spray
For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
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4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 cups heavy cream
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½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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2 cups baby spinach leaves
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them soak for about 2 minutes.
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In a food processor, pulse the onion, garlic, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes until finely chopped.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, chopped mixture, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
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Form and Bake the Meatballs:
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Shape the mixture into meatballs about 2.5 inches in diameter, yielding approximately 18-20 meatballs.
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Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray them with cooking oil.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until they are crisp on the outside and cooked through.
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Prepare the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
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While the meatballs are baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped turkey bacon and cook until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
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In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
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Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes.
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Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
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Add the baby spinach leaves and cook for 1-2 minutes until they wilt.
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Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
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Combine and Serve:
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Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce, coating them evenly.
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Sprinkle the crispy turkey bacon over the top.
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Serve the meatballs and sauce over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
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