Spiralized Zucchini “Meatballs” with Ricotta were inspired by my mother’s meatless meatballs. These savory zucchini appetizers are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. You won’t miss the meat!
My new favorite meatballs have no meat in them at all! After experimenting with my new food spiralizer, I’ve decided that the whole zoodles thing is not for me. They become quite soggy and soft when cooked. Quite frankly no one in my family is convinced that they can replace their beloved pasta!
I then created these baked zucchini meatballs with ricotta and the rest is history! They were inspired by my mom’s famous meatless meatballs, another delicious vegetarian meatball recipe!
Growing up, we ate a few of my mother’s meatballs straight out of the pan! That’s of course back when she fried her meatballs. This was right before she simmered them in the Sunday tomato sauce. By the way, you can visit my post to get my mother’s traditional meatball recipe.
These zucchini balls are now our one of our favorite antipasto dishes and quite popular at gatherings. Trust me when I tell you they will disappear in minutes!
And if you don’t happen to have a sprializer on hand, no worries! You can simply grate the zucchini instead.
Watch how easy it is to make them!
Step by Step Instructions
Did I mention how easy these are to prepare? Begin by spiralizing your zucchini. In order to make the zucchini strands easier to handle, give them a rough chop.
Sauté the spiralized zucchini strands in olive oil, until soft, about 4 minutes. Do not brown the zucchini.
Transfer to a bowl and let cool for a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together.
Shape into meatballs and bake for 30 minutes, flipping them halfway.
In no time you’ll have these lovely golden “meatballs”!
Tips and suggestions:
- If you don’t have a spiralizer, simply grate your zucchini instead.
- The mixture is very soft, this is normal. This will result in meatballs that are crisp on the exterior but quite soft and moist on the inside.
- Zucchini meatballs can be prepare a day ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Once baked, you can freeze these meatballs well wrapped. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350 degrees F oven until warmed through.
Let me know if you’ve tried this recipe by tagging me with your photos with #mangiabedda or @mangiabedda on Instagram and Facebook! Buon appetito!
Check out more delicious Italian zucchini recipes!
- Prosciutto and Cheese Zucchini Roll-Ups
- Grilled Zucchini with Mint and Vinegar
- Baked Cheesy Zucchini Frittata
- Crispy Italian Zucchini Fritters
- Creamy Risotto Pasta with Zucchini
- Spaghetti with Zucchini
- Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms
- Baked Parmesan Zucchini Crisps
- Herb and Garlic Marinated Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 lb zucchini about 2 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups day old bread, crusts removed and torn into small pieces
- ½ cup ricotta
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small clove of garlic finely minced
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- ¼ cup dried bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Olive oil, for greasing parchment paper
Instructions
- Wash zucchini and trim off both ends. Using a spiralizer, spiralize the zucchini. Give the zucchini strands a rough chop.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat and sweat the zucchini for about 4 minutes, stirring often, until most of the water has evaporated.
- Do not brown the zucchini. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a bowl and let sit until the zucchini is cool enough to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a lightly oiled sheet of parchment paper.
- Add the remaining ingredients (breadcrumbs through black pepper) to the bowl with the zucchini. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Use your hands to shape the mixture into 16 golf ball sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning the meatballs half way, until they are browned. Serve hot.
Notes
- The mixture is very soft, this is normal. The result will be meatballs that are crisp on the exterior but quite soft and moist on the inside.
- Spiralized Zucchini Ricotta "Meatballs" can be prepare a day ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Please note that the nutritional information may not be 100% accurate and can vary according to the exact size of your meatballs.
Nutrition
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
question here. Is the 1/4 cup of dried bread crumbs in addition to the 2 cups of day old bread?
Hi Saundra, great question! Yes in fact the dry breadcrumbs are in addition to the fresh crumbs. The mixture is quite moist and so the dry crumbs help hold the meatballs together when shaping them. Hope you enjoy them!
I will try and make it looks great please send more recipe
I do hope you enjoy them Mylene! You may also subscribe to my blog, if you wish, by entering your email address in the subscription box in order to receive my recipes directly in your inbox. Thank you for your comment!
So tasty! Made them twice, once as is and second replaced the parmesan with feta and added dill and green onion for a Greek twist. Thank you!
Hi Eleni, so glad you enjoyed them. And I love your idea of giving them a Greek twist, I think I’d like that too. Thanks for sharing!
Gonna try these they look yummy xo
Hi Angie, hope you enjoy them. They are definitely a favorite around here! Let me know how they turn out!
can you fry them instead of baking them?
Hello Grace, you definitely can pan fry these instead of baking them. I’ve always opted for baking them but without a doubt they’d be quite tasty and have a nice exterior crunch by frying them. Enjoy and thanks for your question!
These look fantastic! Can’t wait to try them.
Hi Margaret, thanks, they are definitely a keeper!
Have not made these yet. Toooo many jumbo zucchini. Wanted to know if these freeze well after baking?
Hello Sally, they can definitely be frozen. I would separate layers of meatballs with parchment paper. Then pop them into the oven to defrost and warm them through. Enjoy!
Made them , loved them. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Tom, thanks so much for your feedback!
Hi Nadia, does the zucchini have to be spiralized? I wonder if I can chop or shred it, since I don’t have a spiralizer and want to try this recipe.
Hi Teresa, you can also use a cheese grater. I have tried it and it works, however I increased the amount of dried breadcrumbs as they were more moist. Perhaps a couple of extra tablespoons. Thanks for watching!
I made these meatballs today and love them! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed them Teresa, thanks for your feedback!
They look amazing! Can’t wait to make them. What brand of spiralizer did you use?
Thanks Liliana! I used a spiralizer by Microplane but any other will do. Enjoy!
What a great idea, they look delicious, i will be making them soon 🙂
OMG, these are delicious and so easy to make! Your recipe worked out perfectly. Thanks!
Thanks Pina! I’m so glad they worked well. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like them.
Looks fantastic! Love the ingredients and the look. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks Holly!