Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

for Meatless Monday

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 40m
Cook Time: 20m
Total Time: 1h
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (9 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

490
calories
24.3g
fat
47.2g
carbohydrates
25.2g
protein
81mg
cholesterol
2362mg
sodium
Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

Recipe Description

The stovetop Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs in a savory tomato sauce. The perfect Meatless Monday dinner. Made without nuts and beans but featuring spinach, ricotta and Pecorino cheese. Simple, hearty, and delicious! My favorite way to serve these meatless “meatballs” is over pasta. You could add mashed potatoes, rice, toasted bread, or a side salad. 

This recipe is one of my favorite meatless meals to make for my family. It’s filling, budget-friendly, and easy to make. Start by removing as much liquid from the ricotta cheese as possible. Meanwhile, prepare the spinach and tomato sauce. To the bowl with the strained ricotta, add the cooked spinach, one egg, Pecorino cheese, a pinch of hot pepper flakes, chopped garlic, a dash of both salt and black pepper, and mix to combine. Once combined, mix in the breadcrumbs. Shape the mixture into the “meatballs” and add to the pan with tomato sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes over low heat. Serve hot with a side of choice, and enjoy!  

To make the Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

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Steps to make

  1. 1

    Remove liquid from ricotta

    30 min
    Step 1 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Place a strainer over a small bowl and line it with cheesecloth. Place 15 ounces ricotta in cheesecloth and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then squeeze any remaining liquid out. Place the ricotta into a dry mixing bowl.

  2. 2

    Cook garlic and onions

    2 min
    Step 2 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    In a deep sauté pan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and add 2 chopped garlic cloves and ⅓ chopped onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until golden.

  3. 3

    Add tomato sauce

    1 min
    Step 3 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Pour in 48 ounces tomato sauce. Add in a pinch of sea salt. Stir and cook over a very low heat.

  4. 4

    Cook garlic

    1 min
    Step 4 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    In a skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and add 1 chopped garlic clove. Cook for 1 minute.

  5. 5

    Add spinach

    3 min
    Step 5 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Add in 8 ounces spinach and mix until about half of the spinach has wilted. Sprinkle in some sea salt and black pepper and sauté until completely wilted.

  6. 6

    Drain spinach

    15 min
    Step 6 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Transfer the spinach to a strainer placed over a bowl and squeeze the excess liquid out with a wooden spoon. Place the squeezed spinach on a plate and let cool in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

  7. 7

    Chop spinach

    2 min
    Step 7 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Place the spinach into a cheesecloth and squeeze more of the liquid out. Then chop the spinach and add it into the bowl with the ricotta.

  8. 8

    Combine ingredients

    2 min
    Step 8 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    To the bowl with the spinach and ricotta, add in 1 egg, ⅓ cup Pecorino cheese, a pinch of hot pepper flakes, one chopped garlic, a dash of both sea salt and black pepper. Use a spatula or spoon to mix together.

  9. 9

    Add breadcrumbs

    2 min
    Step 9 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Add in breadcrumbs in batches and mix by hand. Continue to mix and add in a bit more breadcrumbs until the mix is firm enough to hold a meatball shape. You may need from ¾ cup and up to 1 cup breadcrumbs to hold the spinach and ricotta “meatballs” together.

  10. 10

    Roll “meatballs”

    2 min
    Step 10 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Roll the “meatballs” into the size of your preference.

  11. 11

    Cook

    20 min
    Step 11 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Add the “meatballs” into the tomato sauce and cover with sauce. Cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, moving the “meatballs” around occasionally.

  12. 12

    Serve

    Step 12 - Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs

    Serve hot with a side of choice.

Looking for a delicious Meatless Monday recipe? Give these Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs a try, and make sure you tag us @cookmerecipes on Instagram when you do! We love seeing what you’ve made.

About the author

Nina Cole

Nina dreams of gender equality and for women all over the world to feel empowered and enjoy the same freedom she has. She’s a careful consumer, believing that by being more conscious about the way we live we can make the world a better place! Already a vegetarian, she uses animal products sparingly and tries to produce as little waste as possible. Most of her recipes are vegan as a result!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Beatriz
June 3, 2024
Verified

Deliciosas y faciles! Hice estos albondigas por primera vez y todos en casa quedaron encantados. Definitivamente las haré otra vez, gracias por la receta!

Jessie
February 15, 2024
Verified

I tried these Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs for a family dinner and they were a hit! So easy to make, and filling too. I served them over pasta, which made it a hearty meal. My little cousin even asked for seconds, which is rare! Definitely a fantastic, budget-friendly dish.

Natalie Roberts
October 5, 2023
Verified

So easy dinner. My kids love helping make these meatballs, they taste great with pasta. A new family favorite.

Nina
April 9, 2023
Verified

I made these Spinach and Ricotta Meatballs for my friends last weekend. They were impressed by how tasty yet simple they were. Leftovers were even better! Will definitely make again.

Zoe
April 3, 2023
Verified

Delicious. I made these meatballs for my sister's birthday and we loved how easy they were to cook. The cheese and spinach combo was a hit, perfect with pasta.

George Patterson
January 26, 2023
Verified

Awesome! I made these meatballs for a family dinner last week, and they disappeared in no time. The kids loved them, and I loved how easy they were to whip up. A real hit in our house.

Penny Brooks
December 5, 2022
Verified

Amazing family meal. I made these meatballs for a dinner party and everyone adored them. The kids usually reluctant about spinach, happily gobbled them up!

Nina
May 8, 2022
Verified

Delicious!

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