Michael Symon's Mother's Ricotta Meatballs

Discover the rich, comforting flavors of **Michael Symon's Mother's Ricotta Meatballs**, a classic Italian-American dish elevated with creamy ricotta cheese and fresh herbs. These tender, melt-in-your-mouth meatballs are made with a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, enriched with ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and a hint of garlic for depth of flavor. Lightly seared for a golden crust, they finish cooking in a luscious marinara sauce, infusing every bite with a burst of tangy, herby goodness. Ready in under an hour, this versatile recipe is perfect served over al dente pasta, paired with crusty bread, or enjoyed as a hearty appetizer. Whether it's a family dinner or a gathering with friends, these ricotta meatballs are sure to impress with their homemade charm and irresistible taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Whole milk ricotta cheese
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 piece Large egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 cups Marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix the ingredients gently until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs dense.

Step 3

Using a tablespoon or an ice cream scoop, portion the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll gently with your hands to shape them into round meatballs.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the meatballs in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.

Step 5

Sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 6

Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 7

In the same skillet (or a large pot if preferred), heat the marinara sauce over medium heat until it begins to simmer.

Step 8

Gently add the seared meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the skillet or pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low.

Step 9

Simmer the meatballs in the marinara sauce for 20-25 minutes, until they are fully cooked through and tender.

Step 10

Serve the meatballs hot with your choice of pasta, alongside crusty bread, or as an appetizer with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1934.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2808.0

Total Fat 198.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 750.2mg	0%
Sodium 5413.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.3g	0%
Total Sugars 27.5g
Protein 166.7g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 883.4mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 1261.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.4%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 11.5%