Like a lightening bolt from the sky I suddenly had a silly idea to try some new recipes for meatballs. From famous chefs.
I say silly because there’s nothing wrong with my original, the ones I’ve made. . . like. . . forever. The issue is forever. Nothing is forever. Not even meatballs.
Soon after this revelation Michael Symon made ricotta meatballs on The Chew.
He read my mind. I’m sure of it.
I adapted his recipe based on the reviews. And gut feeling. My guts talk to me when I read or create recipes. Doesn’t yours?
My gut said there was too much ricotta for them to stand up to all the handling they have to go through before they even start swimming around in the sauce and bumping into other meatballs. And fighting with that big, ole’ spoon.
So I cut the ricotta in half.
Half was plenty to keep them moist and tender yet firm enough to stay together. Plus, there’s Parmesan cheese as the bread crumbs.
I can’t even begin to tell you how outrageously delicious these are.
Eyes-popping-out-of-head-delicious.
So quiet you-can-hear-a-pin-drop-delicious. As in everyone is too busy eating to stop and utter a word.
Or even to take the time to look up from their dish. Or take a breath, for that matter.
My sneaky suspicion is that no matter how many other recipes I make this will be the stand-out. The one I come back to again and again because I can’t get them out of my mind.
One of my secrets to making the perfect, never-over-mixed meatball (or meatloaf) is to use a fork to combine the mixture. Or your hands. Never a spoon. That’s a tragedy in the making. Your meat will be tough and heavy. So don’t. Just. Don’t.
I can’t think of anything in the world that compares to sitting down to a plate of homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Even if you think you don’t want them, after the first bite or two, you will realize you did. All along.
Thank-you Michael Symon. You’ve inspired me like crazy lately.
Soft, moist, gluten-free meatballs made with ricotta and parmesan cheeses.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease with olive oil a large roasting pan or baking sheet with sides. In a large bowl combine all the meatball ingredients using your hands or a fork. Roll into 1 and 1/2 inch meatballs, place on baking sheet and bake 18 minutes.
- Meanwhile start the sauce by sauteing the onion and green pepper in an extra large soup pot or sauce pan, season with salt and pepper and cook until onion are translucent. Add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add tomatoes, seasoning, a teaspoon of coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, a pinch of sugar and red pepper flakes if desired. Bring to a simmer.
- Remove meatballs from oven and add them one by one into the sauce. Simmer 30-40 minutes, tasting the sauce and seasoning as needed. Serve over spaghetti with fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Adapted from Michael Symon
Goodnight Moon
These are the best meatballs I’ve ever had hands down. My husband was wowed!
Ohhh mannn these look and sound amazing!! We’ll be making these soon and I’ll be sure to blog them! :) Thanks so much for sharing!
xo Jenny ( a new reader)
jenny holiday recently posted..let’s make an itsy bitsy confetti garland
Reeni,
Thank you so very much for your wonderful recipe for Ricotta Meatballs, I made them and my husband who has eaten all over Italy loved them. They were moist and very tasty, I simmer them in my husbands Sicilian Great Grandma’s sauce recipe which I had made earlier this summer and canned about 8 jars. Your meatballs recipe just married my sauce and it’s a match made in heaven!!!
I doubled the recipe because this way the rest will be frozen and used on one of those nights when I can’t cook.
Again Thank you so VERY MUCH!!!!
Ninfa DePalma
Hi Ninfa! Thanks so much for making them! I’m glad they were such a hit! What a great thing to hear especially since your husband has eaten all over Italy – big competition. I bet that sauce is incredible too!
Reeni recently posted..Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
thankfully i doubled the recipe–these were absolutely the most delicious meatballs i ever made– my family is still talking about them days later– thank you!!!
Wow, these meatballs look and sound divine. Think it’s good that you listened to your instincts – if you halved the ricotta – I cannot imagine 2 cups!
Will definitely be trying this soon. Also sending the link to all my “gluten-free” friends.
Sue :-)
Thanks Sue!