Arancini (Rice Balls) with Marinara Sauce
Kelly Senyei
31
-
303 Comments
Make the most of leftover rice with this easy recipe for Arancini (Rice Balls) stuffed with mozzarella and served with warm marinara sauce.
My first taste of authentic arancini, or Italian rice balls, was at Stuzzi Ristorante, a tiny restaurant in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood and just steps from where I attended culinary school. Back then, we knew the local hotspot as Bar Stuzzi, and it was a favorite for Italian small plates paired with towering glasses of crisp Prosecco.
I’ll never forget my first taste of arancini, as my eyes went wide at the sight of the baseball-sized rice balls coated in breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served atop a bed of bright red marinara. They were a total triple threat: crunchy, creamy and cheesy.
If fried rice isn’t your thing, then arancini are the ultimate excuse for using up what’s left of the ol’ Uncle Ben’s in the fridge.
Although many arancini recipes begin with a risotto base, it’s perfectly acceptable to skip the 20-minute stir time and start with day-old rice.
Make sure to check out my notes at the end of the recipe for a few tips that could mean the difference between perfectly rounded cheesy fried rice balls and, well, a hot mess of rice and dairy.
Craving more? Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Complete your Italian-inspired feast with additional quick and easy recipes.
Secret Ingredient Cheesy Garlic Bread: Get the Recipe
Cacio e Pepe Pasta: Get the Recipe
One Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage: Get the Recipe
Arancini (Rice Balls) with Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled (See Kelly's Notes)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 3 eggs
- 8 small cubes fresh mozzarella
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Oil, for frying
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
Instructions
Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add enough vegetable oil to rise 4 inches in the pot.
Combine the rice, Parmesan and 1 egg in a medium bowl and use your hands to thoroughly combine the mixture.
Form each arancini by taking a small portion of the mixture, squeezing it firmly and stuffing one cube of mozzarella inside each ball. Repeat this process to form 8 arancini.
Whisk together the remaining 2 eggs. Dip each arancini in the eggs and then in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess.
Once the oil reaches 375ºF, add 2 or 3 of the breaded arancini to the pot and fry them until golden brown and cooked throughout.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried arancini from the pot and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately salt the arancini. Repeat the frying process with the remaining arancini.
Serve the arancini warm with a side of warm marinara sauce.
Kelly's Notes:
I've made arancini with many types of rice, but some varieties prove more successful than others. For example, regular old Uncle Ben's will only work if it's particularly sticky. The best rice for arancini is actually sushi rice (despite how unauthentically Italian that may be!) because it is much more glutinous so it's easy to work with.
Make sure you really squeeze the arancini together to make them as compact as possible. This will ensure the arancini hold their shape when frying.
★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
Categories: Appetizers, Side Dishes
FOLLOW JUST A TASTE ON INSTAGRAM and show us what you’re cooking in your kitchen! Use the hashtag #justatasterecipes
.
You Might Also Like...
Banana Granola Muffins
Add chewy, crunchy bite to a breakfast classic with a family favorite recipe for Banana Granola Muffins. Granola? In muffins? I know these aren't your average banana…
Everything Bagel Breakfast Pizza
Up your brunch game with the ultimate recipe for Everything Bagel Breakfast Pizza topped with bacon, eggs and cheese. "This is one of the greatest things I've ever made." …
How to Make Butter
Go back to the basics with a simple tutorial for how to make butter from scratch in just 5 minutes! Few foods are as satisfying to make from scratch as butter. But one of t…
No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
All you need is a few simple ingredients for this quick and healthy recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls. Protein balls that taste like cookie dough? Count me…
Baked Popcorn Chicken with Honey-Garlic Glaze
Ditch the deep-fryer and preheat your oven for a finger-friendly recipe for Baked Popcorn Chicken with Honey-Garlic Glaze. When it comes to quick and easy DIY dinners, …
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Whip up the ultimate grab-and-go morning meal with a recipe for soft and chewy Healthy Breakfast Cookies loaded with fiber and protein. What do you get when you marry the b…
Comments
Post a reply