Hey there, friends! I’m so glad you’re here today because I have something extra delicious for you. We’re talking about the easiest, most tender and juicy Italian Sausage & Ricotta Meatballs—a recipe that’s beginner-friendly, quick to make, and perfect for busy weeknights.
These homemade meatballs are inspired by New York Times bestselling cookbook author Julia Turshen’s take in her fantastic cookbook What Goes with What. They come together in no time, bake to golden perfection in the oven, and freeze beautifully for future meals. They’re packed with savory flavors, tender in texture, and have that perfect bite that makes you want to eat five (or ten) in one sitting. Trust me, you’ll want to keep a stash of these in your freezer at all times!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Super easy – Just mix, roll, and bake! No frying, no mess.
✔ Crazy flavorful – These meatballs are packed with rich, savory goodness.
✔ Meal prep friendly – Make a big batch, freeze the extras, and enjoy effortless meals later.
✔ Versatile – Serve with pasta, in a sub, over rice, or as an appetizer with dip!
✔ Crowd-pleaser – Everyone loves these, from kids to adults.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make these juicy baked meatballs:
- Italian sausage (hot or mild, depending on your preference)
- Ground turkey or pork (adds moisture and flavor)
- Ricotta cheese (adds creaminess and keeps them light)
- Parmesan or Pecorino cheese (adds richness and a little saltiness)
- Parsley (for fresh, herby flavor)
- Salt & black pepper (to season perfectly)
- Warm marinara sauce (for serving)
Quick Steps to Make Them
- Mix everything in a big bowl until just combined.
- Roll into balls (bite-sized or bigger, your call!).
- Arrange on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven.
- Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
- Enjoy immediately with marinara sauce or store for later!
Pro Tips for Perfect Meatballs
- Don’t overmix! It can make them tough instead of tender.
- Use a cookie scoop to keep them the same size.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Broil for 2 minutes at the end if you love a crispy exterior.
What to Serve with Meatballs
These baked meatballs go with just about anything! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic spaghetti & marinara sauce
- Tucked into a meatball sub with melty cheese
- Over creamy mashed potatoes with gravy
- On top of garlic butter rice or quinoa
- With a salad or roasted veggies for a light meal
Storage & Freezing
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the oven or simmer in sauce!
How Long Does It Take to Make These?
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
That’s right—dinner in 30 minutes with minimal effort!
Let’s Get Cooking!
I can’t wait for you to try these Italian Sausage & Ricotta Meatballs. They’re truly a weeknight lifesaver, a meal-prep dream, and the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table happy.
Give them a try and let me know in the comments how you served them!
Watch the step-by-step instructions in this video!
Easy Italian Sausage & Ricotta Meatballs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425℉. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the sausage meat, ground turkey, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands, mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.Divide the mixture into 24 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball slightly larger than a golf ball.Arrange the meatballs evenly on a sheet pan, ensuring space between each one.Lightly coat the meatballs with cooking spray to help them brown evenly during cooking.
- Roast the meatballs until firm to the touch and lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes. You can always crack one open to make sure it's cooked through, if you need some reassurance!
- Serve the meatballs topped with warm marinara sauce (you can also warm your tomato sauce in a pot, add the meatballs, and keep warm over low heat until you're ready to eat).
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Hungry For More Delicious Recipes?
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- Savory Mushroom Swiss Burger Rice: One-Pot Comfort Meal for Busy Weeknights
- How to Make Calabrian Chili Crisp (You’ll Want to Drizzle It on Everything!)
- Loco Moco – Hawaiian Burger with Brown Gravy
If you enjoyed this recipe and would love to see more, join me on YouTube, X, and Instagram! You can follow James T. on his page here and on Instagram, @WarpSpeedWags . Please comment, like, and share. It really helps! I would love to hear from you 🙂 And if you made this recipe, how did it go for you?
4 responses to “Easy Italian Sausage & Ricotta Meatballs – Juicy, Flavorful & Perfect for Meal Prep!”
This looks yummy! Going to give it a try.
Oh great! Enjoy!
my gosh i could eat these for a week 🙂 beautiful photo work robin and lovely recipe! mike
Thank you, Mike!