Turkey-Ricotta Meatballs

Updated Nov. 21, 2022

Turkey-Ricotta Meatballs
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
25 minutes
Rating
5(1,586)
Comments
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Julia Turshen, the author of the cookbook “Small Victories” (Chronicle Books, 2016), cracked the code on turkey meatballs: Ricotta adds milky creaminess and acts as a binder. Taking her lead, the first two steps of this recipe produce all-purpose turkey meatballs that are light in texture and rich in flavor, and the final step of basting the meatballs with an herb-and-garlic-infused butter turns them into a weekday luxury. Eat with mashed or roasted potatoes or other root vegetables, polenta, whole grains, or a mustardy salad. (For oven instructions, see Tip.)

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

    For the Meatballs

    • 1pound ground turkey
    • ½cup whole-milk ricotta
    • cup finely grated Parmesan
    • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes or black pepper
    • 1garlic clove, finely grated
    • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
    • tablespoons neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed), plus more for your hands

    For the Herb-butter Sauce

    • 3tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced
    • 2sage sprigs, 1 rosemary sprig or ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

392 calories; 29 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 29 grams protein; 409 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, mix together the turkey, ricotta, Parmesan, red-pepper flakes, garlic and ½ teaspoon salt. Using oiled hands, roll into 12 meatballs, a heaping 2 tablespoons each.

  2. Step 2

    In a large skillet, preferably cast-iron, heat the oil over medium. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on two sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side, lowering the heat as necessary if the meatballs are getting too dark.

  3. Step 3

    Add the butter, sage and garlic. As the butter melts, tilt the skillet and baste the meatballs by spooning the butter over them. Flip the meatballs every so often and continue to baste until the butter is browned and nutty and the meatballs are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Eat the meatballs with the butter spooned over top.

Tip
  • You can also broil the meatballs in a greased, oven-safe skillet for 8 to 12 minutes, or roast at 425 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes, until browned on one side and nearly cooked through. Continue with step 3 on the stovetop.

Ratings

5 out of 5
1,586 user ratings
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Comments

There is a similar version of Julie Tirschen's turkey ricotta meatballs where you bake them--much easier to make sure they are fully cooked through. I think it's about 25 min in a 425 oven.

Easy and delicious meatballs. The leftovers made for a hearty chicken broth based soup. I sauteed an onion with sliced carrots and celery, added garlic then deglazed the pan with chicken stock. Add the meatballs and simmer until cooked through (or warmed up). Add spinach and parm at the end. You can add pasta or orzo to it as well. It's very hearty and yummy.

Okay, I confess. I only made the meatballs; the sauce didn't appeal to me. My husband declared them "excellent". Dropped in marinara sauce and served over mashed potatoes. Baked for 10 minutes prior to mixing with sauce. Leftovers will become meatball subs.

Excellent. I mixed everything, including a grated shallot, before adding the turkey. After gently mixing I ended up with 10 meatballs measured out with an ice cream scoop. Opted to bake in a preheated cast iron pan at 425 (for 20-22 minutes flipping halfway through), then finished on the stove top. I deglazed the pan with chicken stock and added a shallot along with the herbs, butter and garlic. Served with noodles and broccoli (added to cooking noodles the last 4 minutes).

I had the best success baking these first for 20 mins at 425 (turning them half way) and then browning in the pan after. Doubled the recipe and froze half for another time. They turned out great.

Meatballs easy and tasty. Butter sauce didn’t quite measure up, though. Quantity small and the subtle flavor didn’t really complement the meatballs. Perhaps add some dried oregano to the fresh rosemary. Perhaps a bit of chicken broth to increase quantity. Served with angel hair pasta, along with green salad.

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