There are as many ways to make meatballs as there are cooks that make them. Traditional Italian-style meatballs get even better when made with ricotta, resulting in a meatball that’s light and tender. Baked in a simple tomato sauce these Classic Ricotta Meatballs are the essence of Italian comfort food.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
How to Serve Ricotta Meatballs
These ricotta meatballs can be use in a variety of Italian and Italian-American dishes. Go classic by serving them on a big plate of spaghetti or my Simple Italian Polenta. Serve these meatballs on their own as a hearty appetizer or use them to make a meatball sub sandwich.
Ingredients for Ricotta Meatballs
- ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ricotta cheese
- fresh breadcrumbs
- egg
- parmesan
- fresh parsley
- crushed tomatoes
- oregano
- salt
- pepper
How to Make Ricotta Meatballs
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl combine ground beef, onion, garlic, ricotta, parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg and parsley. Using your hands gently mix together until fully combined. Form 12-16 meatballs (I find using my ice cream scoop helps in making evenly shaped meatballs) and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. (Alternatively instead of making this sauce you can use your favorite homemade marinara or jarred tomato sauce and cook for 4-5 minutes or until heated through).
Place the meatballs in the skillet nestled in the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Serve as desired.
If you like this post be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
One Pot Pasta Primavera with Shrimp
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto (Pesto Rosso)
Italian Baked Rice Casserole (Riso al Forno)
If you make these Classic Ricotta Meatballs please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Ricotta Meatballs
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
For the tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine ground beef, onion, garlic, ricotta, parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg and parsley. Using your hands gently mix together until fully combined. Form 12-16 meatballs and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes.
- Place the meatballs in the skillet nestled in the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Serve as desired.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Mom of Elementary Kiddos says
Very easy and super delicious! These came out perfectly.
Brianna says
I’m so glad you like them 🙂