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(2,017)
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.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
2,017 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.

Ricotta is an expensive ingredient to put in something where you will never taste it. Agree on the creaminess it provides but this can just as easily be achieved with ordinary cottage cheese, which you can smooth into a more ricotta-like consistency with a potato masher.

I added 1/8 c panko crumbs and used ground lamb, along with some rosemary, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cooked in the oven on oiled parchment at 425 for 25 minutes-didn’t turn them.

can this recipe be doubled?

Made this for the second time for a party. Halved the meatball size to make them more appetizeresc. I had so many so decided to bake them, would say it probably took 10 minutes in the oven at 425, then broil for a couple minutes to add some brown! Only change I made was adding a little more salt to the meatball and a little salt to the sauce. It was a hit for adults and toddlers alike!

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