RICOTTA MEATBALLSMacaroni Grill Copycat Recipe
1/2 onion, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (
or 3/4 tsp table salt)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground beef
(85% lean)
1/3 cup plain breadcrumb
1 (28-oz) jar prepared marinara sauce
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (14-oz ) box dry spaghetti, cooked according to directions
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Saute the onion in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the ricotta, parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper; whisk together until combined.
Add the beef and breadcrumbs and mix with your hands until just combined. Using wet fingers, roll the mixture into small meatballs. Brown meatballs in the skillet in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Once browned well on all sides, add the tomato sauce, water, and red pepper flakes.
Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to med-low. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked pasta with the Parmesan cheese.
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