Description
These Lemon Ricotta Meatballs are a bright, flavorful twist on a classic comfort dish — tender, juicy, and full of citrusy goodness. The ricotta keeps them moist while the lemon zest and herbs bring fresh, zesty flair to every bite.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken or turkey
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
**Optional Lemon Butter Sauce:**
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken or turkey, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add meatballs in batches and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes.
5. Lower the heat and cover to cook through, or transfer to a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10 minutes.
6. For the sauce, melt butter in a small pan, then add chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest.
7. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in parsley.
8. Pour sauce over cooked meatballs and serve immediately.
Notes
Use fresh lemon for maximum flavor — bottled juice won’t compare.
Substitute chicken with turkey for a leaner version.
Serve over angel hair pasta or with roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Make a double batch — these freeze beautifully and reheat perfectly for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: lemon ricotta meatballs, chicken meatballs, italian meatballs, zesty dinner, creamy ricotta, easy comfort food