Italian Rice Ball Skillet

 Italian Rice Ball Skillet is a creative and delicious twist on traditional Italian rice balls (Arancini), where the flavors of stuffed rice balls are transformed into a quick and easy skillet dish. This dish features seasoned rice, melted mozzarella cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs, all combined in a skillet for a flavorful, cheesy, and hearty meal. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice (preferably short-grain or Arborio rice for creaminess)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup marinara sauce (or more to taste)

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if necessary)

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour, for dredging)

1-2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Rice:

1. Prepare the Rice: If you haven’t done so already, cook 2 cups of rice according to package instructions. It’s best to use leftover rice for this recipe, as it holds its shape better.

2. Prepare the Rice Mixture:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

2. Add Rice: Stir in the cooked rice, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly.

3. Season: Stir in the marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well. The cheese should start to melt into the rice mixture.

3. Form the Rice Balls:

1. Shape the Rice Balls: Allow the rice mixture to cool for a few minutes. Then, using your hands, shape the rice into small balls or patties. If needed, you can dredge each rice ball in flour (or gluten-free flour) to help it hold together better.

4. Fry the Rice Balls:

1. Heat the Oil: In a separate large skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.

2. Fry the Rice Balls: Gently place the rice balls into the hot oil, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

3. Drain: Once fried, remove the rice balls from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

5. Assemble the Skillet Dish:

1. Layer in Skillet: Once all the rice balls are cooked, return them to the skillet with the remaining marinara sauce mixture (if there is any). Spoon extra marinara sauce over the rice balls and top with additional shredded mozzarella cheese.

2. Melt the Cheese: Cover the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes over low heat, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Serve:

1. Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

2. Serve Hot: Serve the Italian Rice Ball Skillet warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips:

Add Meat: If you want to make it heartier, you can mix in some cooked ground beef or sausage to the rice mixture before forming the rice balls.

Cheese Variations: Try adding different cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even a little ricotta to the rice mixture for extra creaminess.

Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a completely gluten-free version of this dish.

Italian Rice Ball Skillet is a fun, comforting, and easy-to-make dish that combines all the flavors of traditional Italian rice balls, but in a skillet format for quicker preparation and more flavor in every bite. Enjoy!