Go Back
–+ servings
Print Add to Collection

Lemony Ricotta Meatball Bowls

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 6 cups chopped non-starchy veggies*
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup grated zucchini
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley or basil, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Crusty bread
  • Lemon wedges

For the lemony ricotta:

  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese**
  • 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, grated or pressed (optional)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • *Use any combination of quicker cooking veggies like snap peas, asparagus, radishes, carrots, celery, broccoli, fennel, bell pepper, etc…
  • **Or use whole milk cottage cheese and reduce the salt to ½ teaspoon. You could blend this up in a blender to make it extra creamy/less lumpy.
  • Tip! ~ Once your bowl is empty, drizzle some olive oil into it and now you have a delicious olive oil ricotta combo to dip your bread into. So good!

Items you can prep ahead (optional)

  • Chop 6 cups non-starchy veggies
  • Grate 1 cup zucchini
  • Chop ½ cup chopped parsley or basil
  • Grate ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Make lemony ricotta

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450F or 425F convection. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  • Add veggies, oil, and ½ teaspoon salt to the baking sheet and toss to coat.
  • In a medium bowl, add the turkey, zucchini, herbs, cheese, tomato paste, oregano, garlic, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly, then roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
  • Nestle the meatballs into the veggies. Top each meatball with a light drizzle of olive oil to encourage browning on top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs are browned on top and cooked through.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, yogurt, lemon zest, garlic (if using), and salt.
  • Spoon the ricotta mixture into your bowl and smear it around with the back of your spoon. Add the veggies + meatballs on top. Sprinkle with parmesan, herbs, black pepper, and a drizzle of your best olive oil. Squeeze lemon all over and serve with a side of bread.

Notes

Substitutions:

  • To make vegetarian, try making these Beetballs in place of the meatballs. 
  • To make vegan, see above + make my Sunflower Ricotta and thin it out with a touch of lemon or water to your desired consistency.
  • To make gluten-free, use a gluten-free bread on the side.
  • For the ricotta, you could just use ALL ricotta and you could also use whole milk cottage cheese in place of ricotta (reduce the salt to ½ teaspoon). You could blend this up in a blender to make it extra creamy/less lumpy. 

Storage:

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer:
    • Ricotta mixture: up to 5 days in the fridge (generally lasts longer without garlic)
    • Meatballs: up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 2 months

Leftovers + Repurposing:

  • Warm up leftover veggies + meatballs. Serve over the ricotta mixture with all the toppings.
  • Make it a toast! Spread the ricotta on toast and top with the veggies or anything else.