Best 3 Chef Johns Ricotta Meatballs Recipes

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**Indulge in Chef John's Exquisite Ricotta Meatballs: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors and Textures**

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with Chef John's remarkable Ricotta Meatballs, a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends savory and succulent flavors with a delightful symphony of textures. These meatballs are not your ordinary meatballs; they're elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness with the addition of ricotta cheese, which lends an incredibly moist and tender crumb to each bite. Paired with a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, these meatballs promise an unforgettable dining experience.

But that's not all! Chef John's culinary repertoire also includes a delectable array of recipes that will satisfy every palate. From his classic Meatballs and Spaghetti, a timeless comfort food that never fails to satisfy, to his innovative Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce, a festive twist on a traditional dish, Chef John's recipes offer a diverse range of culinary adventures.

For those seeking a lighter option, Chef John's Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles provide a healthier alternative without compromising on taste. And for those with dietary restrictions, his Gluten-Free Meatballs ensure everyone can enjoy the joy of meatballs, regardless of their dietary needs.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, Chef John's Ricotta Meatballs and his collection of diverse recipes will inspire you to create extraordinary meals that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a delightful culinary adventure with Chef John.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Chef John's Italian Meatballs image

Homemade meatballs are a very easy to make, and since we skip the very messy step of pan-frying these before they hit the sauce, it becomes downright simple. Here I use a standard half-beef/half-pork mixture. You can substitute water or beef broth for the milk, if preferred.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h15m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 14

⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 eggs
¼ bunch fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  • Soak bread crumbs in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot oil until translucent, about 20 minutes.
  • Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl. Stir onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and Parmesan cheese into meat mixture with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
  • Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Using wet hands, form meat mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange onto prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 81.9 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 192.1 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

CHEF JOHN'S MEATLESS MEATBALLS



Chef John's Meatless Meatballs image

I made this recipe to celebrate Earth Day. Thanks to a thorough browning, mushrooms provide more than enough savoriness. The garlic, cheese, and parsley do the rest. What really blew me away was how close the texture was to actual meatballs. They are officially approved for use on spaghetti!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 5h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound fresh white mushrooms, finely chopped
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup quick-cooking oats
1 ounce very finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
½ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, packed
2 eggs, divided
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch dried oregano
3 cups pasta sauce
1 tablespoon very finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or to taste
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms to the hot oil, sprinkle with salt, and cook and stir until liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Stir butter into mushrooms, reduce heat to medium, and cook and stir mushrooms until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir onion into mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir garlic into mushroom mixture until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl.
  • Mix oats into mushroom mixture until thoroughly combined. Gently stir 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into mixture. Add bread crumbs, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1 egg; season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Mix together with a fork until crumbly. Stir in remaining 1 egg. Mixture should hold together when pressed.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. For best flavor and texture, refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
  • Form mixture into small meatballs using a 2-tablespoon scoop. Roll meatballs lightly between your hands until smooth, if desired; arrange meatballs on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are lightly golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Bring pasta sauce to a boil in a large saucepan; reduce heat to low. Gently stir meatballs into sauce until coated. Simmer meatballs in sauce until cooked through, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and 1 tablespoon parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 421.2 calories, Carbohydrate 50.1 g, Cholesterol 110.4 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 16.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 1695.2 mg, Sugar 20.5 g

CHEF JOHN'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS



Chef John's Swedish Meatballs image

Swedish meatballs, traditionally served with boiled potatoes and lingonberry preserves, are a hearty meal the whole family will love!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Scandinavian

Time 2h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 22

Meatballs:
2 tablespoons butter
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
¼ cup milk
2 large eggs
⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pound ground beef chuck
1 pound ground pork
Gravy:
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ¼ cups beef broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in butter until onion begins to turn translucent, about 6 minutes.
  • Transfer onion mixture to a large bowl. Add milk, eggs, bread crumbs, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture; stir to combine.
  • Mix beef and pork into the bread crumb mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; whisk flour into butter and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk beef broth into butter mixture.
  • Increase heat to medium-high, whisk cream into mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir sugar and Worcestershire sauce into gravy. Simmer until slightly thickened, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat foil with cooking spray.
  • Roll 2 to 3 tablespoons meatball mixture into a ball using wet hands; repeat with remaining meatball mixture. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
  • Transfer meatballs to the gravy and cook over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 193.7 mg, Fat 35.8 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 28.2 g, SaturatedFat 17.3 g, Sodium 1205.6 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork. This will give the meatballs a more flavorful and juicy texture.
  • Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh. This will give the meatballs a more intense cheesy flavor.
  • Use high-quality ricotta cheese. This will make the meatballs more light and fluffy.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
  • Form the meatballs into small, uniform balls. This will help them cook evenly.
  • Brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the sauce. This will help them develop a nice crust and prevent them from sticking to the pan.
  • Use a good-quality marinara sauce. This will make a big difference in the overall flavor of the meatballs.
  • Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will help them absorb the flavors of the sauce.
  • Garnish the meatballs with fresh parsley or basil before serving. This will add a pop of color and freshness.

Conclusion:

Chef John's ricotta meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are moist, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a new meatball recipe, give Chef John's ricotta meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed!

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