Description
Creamy alfredo meatballs deliver Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with luxurious sauce and tender protein. Cheese-infused beef nestles perfectly in rich parmesan cream, promising delicious satisfaction for your next meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground chicken
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (60 g) Italian bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1/3 cup (35 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 400°F, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine ground chicken with bread crumbs, milk, egg, seasonings, and Parmesan in a mixing bowl, gently folding ingredients until evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Roll the meat mixture into uniform bite-sized spheres, ensuring consistent size for even cooking, and arrange them with slight spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
- Transfer the meatballs to the preheated oven and roast for 18-20 minutes, rotating the tray midway to promote golden browning and verify internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While meatballs cook, create the sauce by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Pour heavy cream into the garlic butter, season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and gradually thicken for approximately 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Once meatballs are fully cooked, carefully transfer them into the prepared Alfredo sauce, gently coating each piece with the creamy mixture.
- Plate the sauced meatballs atop your preferred accompaniment like pasta, steamed rice, or roasted vegetables, finishing with an optional sprinkle of fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Prevent Dense Meatballs by handling the mixture gently and avoiding overmixing, which can make them tough and compact.
- Swap Ground Chicken for turkey or lean beef to accommodate different protein preferences while maintaining similar texture and flavor.
- Create Gluten-Free Version by replacing Italian bread crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for sensitive diets.
- Reduce Fat Content by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and choosing a lighter cheese like part-skim mozzarella for a healthier alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg