Ricotta Meatballs With Chianti Sauce Recipe
Every week, we’re spotlighting a different food blogger who’s shaking up the blogosphere with tempting recipes and knockout photography. Here, actress Ali Larter proves her mettle in the kitchen with a recipe for juicy ricotta meatballs from her cookbook, Kitchen Revelry.
Chianti adds a level of complexity to this dish’s rich tomato sauce. Photo: Amy Neunsinger
Ricotta Meatballs with Chianti Sauce
Serves 4
For the Chianti sauce:
½ cup finely minced onions
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 ounces prosciutto, finely diced
½ cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce can crushed San Marzano tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
For the meatballs:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano wedge
Make the Chianti sauce: Sauté minced onions in extra-virgin olive oil for 5 minutes, add 3 cloves of garlic and the prosciutto and continue to sauté for 1 more minute. Add ½ cup wine and cook for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes and beef broth and simmer for 30 minutes.
Make the meatballs: Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking oil spray. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together by hand. Roll your meatballs, making 2-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove the meatballs from the oven and add them to your Chianti sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Serve the meatballs with the cheese wedge and a grater on the table for your guests.
Note: Substitute ground turkey for the beef and pork for a lighter meatball option.
Need more meatballs? Here are some options:
An Italian-American Grandma’s Rustic Meatball Recipe
Habanero BBQ Pork Meatballs for a Spicy Party
Miso Carbonara and Sausage Meatball Recipe From ‘Lady and Pups’
What’s your favorite meatball recipe? Tell us below!
