🍽️ Welcome to the kitchen, friends!
Today, I’ve prepared another simple, fresh, and surprisingly tasty recipe: ricotta, mackerel, and basil meatballs.
It’s the perfect dish for those looking for a light yet flavorful alternative to classic meatballs. They are ideal as a tasty appetizer or as a main course accompanied by a nice salad or grilled vegetables.
The beauty of these mackerel and ricotta meatballs is that they are made with just a few ingredients, but the result is bursting with flavor and aroma. The fresh basil adds an irresistible aromatic note, the creamy ricotta makes them super soft, and the mackerel – an oily fish rich in omega 3 – adds flavor and substance. Moreover, they are very easy to make: just a bit of skill and a large bowl to mix everything.
This dish is also perfect for those who want to bring something new to the table, perhaps during a dinner with friends or a summer evening outdoors. You can bake them for a lighter version or fry them in a pan for a golden crust that is finger-licking good. 😊
If, like me, you love meatballs, also try:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Rest time: 20 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Stovetop, Oven, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 2 cups ricotta
- 14 oz mackerel
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- salt
- basil
- oil as needed
- a pat of butter
- flour for dusting
Tools
- 1 Pan non-stick pan
- 1 Cutting Board cutting board
- 1 Chopper chopper
Steps
To prepare the ricotta, mackerel, and basil meatballs, start by draining the ricotta in a sieve to remove excess liquid. Transfer it to a large bowl and add the drained and chopped mackerel. Add the egg, a few fresh basil leaves, breadcrumbs, and salt. Mix everything well and let it rest covered for about 20 minutes to allow it to compact.
After the resting time, with moistened hands, scoop the mixture with a spoon and form the meatballs, trying to make them more or less the same size.
Once the ricotta meatballs are formed, dust them with flour and place them on a sheet of parchment paper.
Heat a good amount of oil with a pat of butter, and once hot, add the meatballs. Cook on all sides until a nice crunchy crust forms.
The ricotta, mackerel, and basil meatballs are ready! Enjoy your meal! 😊
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use tuna instead of mackerel and cook them in an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can use tuna or even salmon in equal amounts and cook them without flouring at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
