• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Search All Recipes
    • Recipe Round-Ups
  • More
    • About
    • Work With Me!
    • Lifestyle
    • Outside the Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips & Gifts
    • Contact

Framed Cooks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • July 4th Recipes!
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • July 4th Recipes!
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Framed Cooks ยป Recipes ยป Dinner

    Meatballs with Ricotta

    Published: Jun 3, 2012 ยท Modified: Jun 23, 2025 by Kate Morgan Jackson ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    When you have meatballs with fresh ricotta and basil, who needs spaghetti? Give this meatballs with ricotta recipe a try.

    Meatballs with fresh ricotta and tomato sauce in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe โค๏ธ
    • Ingredients you need ๐Ÿฅซ
    • Ingredient notes and substitutions ๐Ÿ“
    • How to make this recipe ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿณ
    • Recipe FAQs ๐Ÿง
    • Want to round out your meal? ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ
    • Other meatball recipes we love
    • We want to know what you think! ๐Ÿค”
    • Meatballs with Fresh Ricotta

    Why we love this recipe ❤️

    I call this my minimalist meatball recipe, and by that I mean the meatballs are taking Center Stage…no pasta required with this one.

    (Not that I have anything against pasta. Just ask the hundred-plus pasta recipes on this here website!)

    You need a couple cups of your favorite tomato sauce. A jarred kind is perfectly okay, or if you are feeling frisky you can whip up this tomato butter sauce that I am completely obsessed with making.   Light, creamy, perfect.  

    Next comes my old standby approach to meatballs which starts them on the stove and finishes them in the sauce.  You get a super flavorful meatball that way with a crispy crust on the outside and a tender meaty inside.

    And obviously one of the key parts to this recipe is the ricotta.  

    You can absolutely get your ricotta at the supermarket (go for the freshest kind in the fancy cheese aisle) but I look for any excuse to make fresh ricotta.  

    It’s fast and fabulous and super-easy, and if you haven’t tried it, you really MUST!  It takes all of 15 minutes, and it’s worth every single second.

    (Although I promise to still love you if you buy the pre-made kind.)

    Okay!  Sauce, check.  Meatballs, check.  Ricotta, check.  And if you have any fresh basil on hand, that’s optional but heavenly!

    Basil bouquet in a jar.

    Ingredients you need 🥫

    Ingredients for meatballs with ricotta.

    Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝

    • Meat: You can use either meatloaf mix (a mixture of ground beef, veal and pork) or all ground beef…both will work.
    • Ricotta: Use the good stuff! You can either make ricotta yourself (it’s super easy!) or look for the freshly made kind in the fancy cheese section of your supermarket.
    • Bread crumbs: We use dried bread crumbs for this recipe. Plain or seasoned will both work.
    • Tomato Sauce: Your favorite jarred version is just fine. If you want to make your own tomato sauce, this super easy tomato sauce recipe is our favorite.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

    How to make this recipe 👩🏻‍🍳

    Meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl.

    STEP 1: Make the meatballs! Mix up some ground beef with eggs, dried bread crumbs, chopped garlic, chopped parsley, salt and pepper and a little cream. Clean hands are the best for mixing this all up.

    Rolled meatballs on a cutting board waiting to be cooked.

    STEP 2: Time to roll them up! I like to use my large cookie scoop and them give them an extra roll between my hands to even them up. By the way, this is a great way to let the kiddos pitch in with making dinner!

    Cooked meatballs in a skillet.

    STEP 3: Start the meatballs by adding some olive oil to a skillet and letting them browned but not cooked through – about 4 minutes a side. Pro Tip: Loosen underneath them with a small spatula before you turn them – it makes the turning easier!

    Meatballs and tomato sauce in a pot.

    STEP 4: Add your tomato sauce to a pot, bring it to a simmer and gently add your browned meatballs. Cook them for 15 minutes so they are cooked through.

    Meatballs with fresh ricotta and tomato sauce in a bowl.

    STEP 5: Put a puddle of sauce into soup bowls, add a few meatballs, add a little more sauce and then a generous dollop of room temperature ricotta. If you have any basil, sprinkle it on top. Dinner is ready!

    Recipe FAQs 🧐

    Can I cook the meatballs in the sauce without frying them first?

    You can, but giving them that little fry-up first adds a nice flavorful crust to the outside, so we do love including this step.

    Can I serve this over pasta if I want to?

    BUT OF COURSE. 🥰

    Can this recipe be made ahead?

    It can! When you are ready to serve, reheat the meatballs in the sauce gently over medium low heat…and of course add the ricotta at the last minute.

    Have a question I didn’t cover?

    Leave your question (or comment or suggestion) in the Comments box below the recipe and I will answer pronto!

    Want to round out your meal? 🍽️

    We love some homemade, super easy sheet pan focaccia to sop up every drop of sauce (start the bread a day ahead). And both Potato Caesar Salad and Carrot Parmesan Risotto are great veggie-filled side dishes.

    And for dessert, how about some banana cream pie cupcakes?

    • Baked focaccia in sheet pan with parchment.
      Sheet Pan Focaccia
    • Potato Caesar Salad
    • Easy carrot parmesan risotto in a bowl.
      Carrot Risotto
    • Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes
      Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes

    Other meatball recipes we love

    • Beef Stroganoff Spaghetti and Meatballs on a plate.
      Beef Stroganoff Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • Tomato meatball soup in a bowl.
      Creamy Tomato Meatball Soup
    • Swedish meatballs over mashed potatoes.
      Easy Swedish Meatballs
    • Pasta with Mozzarella and Turkey Meatballs

    We want to know what you think! 🤔

    If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section right below the recipe card.

    Print

    Meatballs with Fresh Ricotta

    Meatballs with fresh ricotta and tomato sauce in a bowl.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    When you have meatballs with fresh ricotta and basil, who needs spaghetti? Give this meatballs with ricotta recipe a try.

    • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound meatloaf mix (1/4 lb each ground beef, veal and pork), or you can use all ground beef
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
    • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
    • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 cups of tomato sauce (homemade or jarred)
    • 1 cup ricotta cheese at room temperature
    • 1/2 cup slivered basil leaves

    Instructions

    1. Make meatballs by combining meat, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper and cream in a bowl. Mix together well and form into 12 meatballs. (These can be done ahead and refrigerated.)
    2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium high, and add meatballs. Brown on all sides, turning gently, until they are browned but not cooked through, about 7-10 minutes total.
    3. Pour sauce into a large saucepan. Carefully add meatballs, and heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring from time to time, until meatballs are cooked through.
    4. Divide meatballs among plates, top with ricotta and slivered basil. Serve at once with bread on the side if you like!

    Notes

      • Meat: You can use either meatloaf mix (a mixture of ground beef, veal and pork) or all ground beef…both will work.

      • Ricotta: Use the good stuff! You can either make ricotta yourself (it’s super easy!) or look for the freshly made kind in the fancy cheese section of your supermarket.

      • Bread crumbs: We use dried bread crumbs for this recipe. Plain or seasoned will both work.

      • Tomato Sauce: Your favorite jarred version is just fine. If you want to make your own, this super easy tomato sauce recipe is our favorite.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @FramedCooks on Facebook or Instagram…we want to see it!

    465 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alicia says

      April 04, 2024 at 3:04 pm

      Meatballs cooked in sauce is the best way! Delicious!

      Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        April 05, 2024 at 11:19 am

        Thanks Alicia – sounds like we are on the same wavelength, meatball-wise! :)

        Reply
    2. Britt4x4 says

      July 02, 2012 at 7:59 am

      I made this yesterday but instead of Ricotta I used rice and it was totally jummy! I was worried that the meatballs would not cook in the amount of sauce I had, but it turned out perfect! They were so soft on the inside while totally cooked. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        July 03, 2012 at 7:47 am

        My pleasure! Glad you liked it…I do love how meatballs turn out when they are cooked in sauce. Yum!

        Reply
    3. AC says

      June 05, 2012 at 12:45 am

      I love making homemade ricotta and these meatballs look amazing. But what to do with all that whey that drains out from the cheese? Any clever uses for it? I hate to waste it!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 05, 2012 at 6:17 am

        I’ve had some readers tell me to use it instead of milk in pancake batter…that it will make them taste AMAZING – I haven’t tried it yet but it’s high on my to-do list!

        Reply
    4. Karen Nelson says

      June 04, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      So… What is your favorite meatball recipe??
      This is great btw… We are cutting way down on carbs!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 04, 2012 at 9:22 pm

        Well, if I HAD to choose, it would be this one…but there are so many that I love! https://www.framedcooks.com/one-pot-spaghetti-and-meatballs/

        Reply
    5. melissa@IWasBornToCook says

      June 03, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      Tell me where you’ve gone locally that you like best! (I’m in Bergen County, too) We recently went to Cafe Matisse in Rutherford and it was FABULOUS!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 03, 2012 at 9:10 pm

        Absolute hands down favorite is Esty Street in Park Ridge! We also love Picnic in Fair Lawn and both Velo and Hudson House in Nyack a lot. And of course the classic for sliders, White Manna in Hackensack. :)

        Reply
    6. Joanne says

      June 03, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      I LOVE the idea of your restaurant project! My roommate in college and I did something similar while we were in Boston…I need to get it going again now that I’m back in NYC.

      Oh ricotta, you make everything so delicious. Love this.

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 03, 2012 at 2:17 pm

        With an NYC Restaurant Project you’ll never run out of places! My sister just went to this place last night and said it was FABULOUS: http://public-nyc.com/

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Kate from Framed Cooks

    Hi, Iโ€™m Kate! Iโ€™m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here!

    More about me โ†’

    July 4th Recipes!

    • Peach mozzarella salad on a plate.
      Peach Mozzarella Salad
    • Shrimp with dipping sauce on a platter.
      Shrimp with Dipping Sauce
    • Grilled Buttermilk Rosemary Chicken on a Plate
      Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
    • Orange Avocado Shrimp Salad on a plate with mint leaves.
      Orange Avocado Shrimp Salad
    • Zucchini gazpacho in a bowl.
      Zucchini Gazpacho
    • Strawberry slab pie on a white platter.
      Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Tart

    Reader Favorites

    • Pastina with egg and cheese in a bowl.
      Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food
    • Lemon Garlic Lobster Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
      Pasta with Lobster Sauce
    • Grandpa's Coca-Cola Ribs on a cutting board.
      Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs
    • Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce on a plate with a fork.
      Pasta with Egg Sauce
    • Soft scrambled eggs with ricotta on a plate.
      Ricotta Scrambled Eggs
    • Cheese Fries in a bowl on a wooden counter.
      Easy Cheese Fries

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Sign Me Up!

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Get in Touch

    • Contact

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 Framed Cooks

    All photographs ยฉ FramedCooks and may not be used for any purpose without written permission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    465 shares
    465 shares
    • 98