Best 2 Ricotta Filled Meatballs With Fennel And Chili Recipes

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**Ricotta-Filled Meatballs with Fennel and Chili: A Symphony of Italian Flavors**

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey to Italy with our tantalizing ricotta-filled meatballs, where succulent ground beef embraces a velvety ricotta filling, enveloped in a savory embrace of fennel and chili. These meatballs are not just any ordinary dish; they are a harmonious blend of Italian flavors that will dance on your palate. Accompanying these delightful meatballs are three equally enticing recipes: a classic marinara sauce, a zesty salsa verde, and a refreshing fennel and orange salad. Each recipe complements the meatballs perfectly, offering a range of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. So, get ready to indulge in a feast fit for a true Italian food lover.

**Recipes:**

1. **Ricotta-Filled Meatballs with Fennel and Chili:**

- Dive into the main event: tender meatballs crafted from a mixture of ground beef, ricotta cheese, fennel, chili, and a blend of aromatic spices. Pan-fried to golden perfection, these meatballs are the epitome of savory satisfaction.

2. **Classic Marinara Sauce:**

- Experience the timeless flavors of Italy with this classic marinara sauce. Fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, and basil come together in a rich and flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the meatballs.

3. **Zesty Salsa Verde:**

- Awaken your taste buds with this vibrant salsa verde. Fresh parsley, basil, capers, and anchovies unite in a tangy and herbaceous sauce that adds a burst of brightness to the meatballs.

4. **Refreshing Fennel and Orange Salad:**

- Cleanse your palate with this refreshing fennel and orange salad. Thinly sliced fennel, juicy oranges, and a zesty dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and honey create a light and flavorful side dish that perfectly balances the richness of the meatballs.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S RICOTTA MEATBALLS



Chef John's Ricotta Meatballs image

Ricotta-spiked meatballs are so tender, so flavorful, and so delicious. There are hardly any ingredients. Of course we're going to throw this over some spaghetti, because we're Americans and that's what we do with meatballs.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ onion, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
¼ cup packed chopped Italian parsley
1 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
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (28 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 cup water

Steps:

  • Saute 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, kosher 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 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 a 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 Facts : Calories 331.1 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Cholesterol 75.3 mg, Fat 20.9 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 16.3 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 864.6 mg, Sugar 9.4 g

CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS



Classic Beef Meatballs image

Here they are-the top sellers at The Shop and sure to be a big hit at home. Most traditional meatball recipes call for Parmesan or pecorino cheese. While we're big fans of these stronger cheeses, we prefer ricotta. It's our secret weapon. The mild and creamy consistency of this fresh cheese gives the meatballs a unique light texture. Beef has a subtle flavor, and the ricotta is a great way to add fat and moisture to the recipe without the overpowering flavor of a sharper cheese. These are quick to prep, and baking rather than frying makes this a fast comfort food even during the busiest of weeks.

Provided by Daniel Holzman

Categories     Cheese     Egg     Tomato     Bake     Super Bowl     Father's Day     Dinner     Ground Beef     Family Reunion     Poker/Game Night     Party     Breadcrumbs     Sugar Conscious     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2-inch balls

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds 80% lean ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Drizzle the olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.
  • Combine the ground beef, ricotta, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and fennel in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Roll the mixture into round, golf ball-size meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another.
  • Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F.
  • While the meatballs are roasting, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often.
  • When the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, remove them from the oven and drain the excess grease from the pan. Pour the tomato sauce over them. Return the meatballs to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality ground beef and ricotta cheese.
  • Be sure to season the meatballs well with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture, or the meatballs will be tough.
  • Gently fry the meatballs over medium heat so that they cook evenly.
  • If you don't have fennel seeds, you can substitute anise seeds or caraway seeds.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite pasta sauce and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Conclusion:

These ricotta-filled meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The combination of ground beef, ricotta cheese, and fennel seeds creates a flavorful and juicy meatball that will please everyone at the table. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a complete meal.

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