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ricotta polenta with meatballs

Ricotta Polenta with Drunken Meatballs

Anna Chwistek
Mouthwatering tender meatballs simmered in a hearty brown beer gravy with caramelized onions and served over creamy ricotta polenta. This 30-minute meal will knock your socks off.
4.53 from 93 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 495 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Ricotta Polenta

  • 7 ounces instant polenta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 7 ounces whole milk ricotta
  • 3 ounces grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Meatballs

  • 1.1 pounds ground meat I used 70% pork with 30% beef
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp sweet paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried onion
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs

Beer Gravy

  • 2 yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup brown beer use a dark beer with dominant malty sweet flavors
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • chopped chives for serving

Instructions
 

Meatballs in Beer Gravy

  • Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Mix until just combined, using your hands. Roll the meat into 2 tablespoon-sized balls.
  • In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes or until they’re cooked through, turning them 2-3 times. Transfer to a plate.
  • In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp oil and 2 tbsp butter. Cook onions for 5 minutes over low heat. Add garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in black pepper, oregano, thyme and flour. Allow the flour to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the brown beer and chicken broth, then stir in the mustard. Bring the sauce to a boil.
  • Slide the meatballs and all of the released juices back into the skillet. Add salt and pepper to your own taste. Simmer over low heat while you make the polenta.

Ricotta Polenta

  • In a saucepan, bring chicken broth and milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring continuously over low, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Stir in ricotta, parmesan, salt and black pepper. Add butter and stir to combine. Cover and let stand for 1 minute. If the polenta thickens too much, thin with some additional milk or chicken broth. Add more salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Divide polenta over bowls, top with meatballs and gravy. Serve with chopped chives, a salad or roasted broccoli. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 16gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1440mgPotassium: 437mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1125IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 395mgIron: 2mg
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