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Pork Beef Meatballs Italian
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

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By: Joanna Cismaru •12/19/22 13 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce aren’t your typical meatball! I’ve included a few secret ingredients to make this dish extra special and delicious.

Close up of Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Table of Contents Open
  • Spicy Ricotta Meatballs Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Meatballs
    • Tomato Sauce
  • What Type Of Meat Works Best For These Meatballs
  • Can I Make These Meatballs In The Air Fryer
  • Can I Make These Spicy Ricotta Meatballs In Advance?
  • Expert Tips
  • Storing Leftovers
    • Freezing
  • More Related Recipes
  • Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Spicy Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

The thing I love about meatballs is that they’re so versatile. I mean who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs, or meatballs with tomato sauce over mashed potatoes, or even on rice. But you know what, I even love these meatballs on their own, just pop one in your mouth, and they are the perfect snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Meatballs

  • Meat – I used a combination of lean ground beef and spicy Italian sausage for extra juicy meatballs.
  • Onion – Medium white or yellow onion, finely chopped.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
  • Egg – The egg will act as a binder to the meatballs.
  • Ricotta Cheese – They wouldn’t be ricotta meatballs without ricotta now would they?
  • Breadcrumbs – For this recipe I used cornflakes for a unique twist, regular breadcrumbs work as well if you prefer.
  • Seasoning – Salt & black pepper, to taste.
  • Parsley – Fresh, chopped.

Tomato Sauce

  • Crushed Tomatoes – I used a can of crushed tomato, which is equal to about 3 cups.
  • Onion – White or yellow, chopped.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
  • Cream – I used heavy cream, half and half can be used for a lighter fare.
  • Brown Sugar – This is going to add a nice caramelized sweetness to balance the flavors in the dish. 
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper, to taste.
Side by Side photos of uncooked and cooked meatballs

What Type Of Meat Works Best For These Meatballs

These meatballs are incredible because we are using both beef and spicy Italian sausage to make them extra juicy!

I’ve made meatballs out of chicken, turkey, beef, and pork! Any of these proteins can be used, just keep in mind the more fat in the meat, the juicer the meatball! Pork and beef are most commonly used because of how fatty they are, which is why some people may find chicken or turkey meatballs dry. It all depends on the type of meat and cook time!

Can I Make These Meatballs In The Air Fryer

Yes! I know many of us are obsessing over our air fryer, so I’ve written an air fryer meatball recipe just for that! You can use the ingredients from this recipe and follow the instructions from the other post.

Can I Make These Spicy Ricotta Meatballs In Advance?

Absolutely! Meatballs are great to make ahead and freeze for easy future meals.

Expert Tips

  • Line your baking sheet with parchment or silpat for easy cleanup!
  • Feel free to incorporate any of your favorite spices/seasoning to make these to your liking!
  • If for some reason you can’t find ricotta, or don’t have it on hand, cottage cheese or goat cheese can be used as substitutes.
  • You can use whichever protein you’d like for these meatballs! Feel free to try any of or a combination of ground chicken, turkey, pork or veal. Keep in mind, when using a different protein, the cook time may vary.
Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers spicy ricotta meatballs and tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.

Freezing

You can also freeze these meatballs with the tomato sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

More Related Recipes

  • Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce
  • Meatball Parmesan
  • Cheesy Chicken Meatball Rolls
  • Meatball Parmesan
  • Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

spicy ricotta meatballs in tomato sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Prep 30 minutes
Cook 1 hour 10 minutes
Total 1 hour 40 minutes
Rate Recipe
Spicy Ricotta Meatballs in Tomato Sauce – not just your regular meatballs, these meatballs have a few secret ingredients! Check the recipe to find out. 
8

Ingredients

For Meatballs

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (spicy)
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese
  • ⅔ cup cornflakes breadcrumbs (regular breadcrumbs work as well)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup parsley (chopped)

For Tamato Sauce

  • 26 ounce crushed tomatoes ((1 can) about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix all the meatballs ingredients together in a large bowl. Shape the mixture into meatballs, I ended up with about 50 meatballs. Place all the meatballs onto the baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 35 to 45 minutes or until meatballs are done and browned.
  • For the sauce, add the crushed tomatoes, water, onion and garlic to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the sauce in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream and continue to simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce, or pour the sauce over the meatballs in a large bowl and serve over spaghetti, or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 440kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 19g (6%)Protein: 26g (52%)Fat: 29g (45%)Saturated Fat: 13g (81%)Cholesterol: 127mg (42%)Sodium: 895mg (39%)Potassium: 710mg (20%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 673IU (13%)Vitamin C: 15mg (18%)Calcium: 107mg (11%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
© Author Jo

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

spicy ricotta meatballs in tomato sauce

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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13 Comments
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Tamara
Tamara
Posted: 7 years ago

These meatballs are amazing. I think that the cornflake crumbs make them lighter. I did make a change to the sauce the third time I made them. I sautéed the onions and garlic before purée. It makes the taste a little less raw. Also added a little more spice, some Parmesan cheese and less sugar to sauce. Thank you for this recipe!

0
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Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tamara
Posted: 7 years ago

Glad you liked it Tamara!

0
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Anneli
Anneli
Posted: 9 years ago

I just made these! My husband and I had them for dinner with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. They were so good. I must say my weakness is meatballs. This recipe was easy to make and also when you say you made 50 meatballs and then I had about the same I was glad. I hate it when I don’t get nearly as much out of a recipe as is stated. I’ll be making these many times I’m sure. Thanks!

0
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Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Anneli
Posted: 9 years ago

Hi Anneli, I’m happy to hear you and your family enjoyed these. 🙂

0
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claire @ the realistic nutritionist
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Posted: 9 years ago

These look so amazing!

0
Reply
Ann
Ann
Posted: 9 years ago

I made this last night and it was awesome. That sauce was so good! I actually followed the recipe exactly and will be making this over and over. Thanks!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Ann
Posted: 9 years ago

That’s wonderful, so happy it turned out!:)

0
Reply
Michele
Michele
Posted: 9 years ago

Made this tonight and I must say, maybe the BEST, and easiest meatball recipe ever! Thanks Jo! This ones a keeper!

0
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Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Michele
Posted: 9 years ago

Hi Michele,
You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear this!! Thank you!

0
Reply
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Posted: 9 years ago

Wow, BEAUTIFUL photography, Jo! I need to give these a try, because I always have extra cornflakes around and never use them!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Posted: 9 years ago

Thanks Lori, it makes me giddy when someone says likes my photography, lol. Probably because it’s the one thing I struggle with the most. You’d love these meatballs, they’re delicious!

0
Reply
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 9 years ago

I hear ya on that, Jo. I don’t mind the actual photography part, but I kind of hate the “food styling” part. And the “props” part. I feel like everything I put down just looks super awkward most days 😉

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Posted: 9 years ago

Same here, I have no creativity whatsoever! 🙂

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

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