These Sicilian rice balls (arancini) have a crispy outer layer and are filled with a rice, meat, and pea filling for an unforgettable experience. With this recipe, you can recreate this classic Italian dish in your own home.
What Are Arancini (Sicilian Rice Balls)?
Arancini, or Sicilian rice balls, is a classic Italian dish that dates back centuries. The traditional arancini recipe calls for arborio rice to be mixed with other ingredients then formed into balls and deep fried. It’s believed the Sicilians filled their arancini with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese to make them resemble the Sicilian flag—red (tomatoes) and white (mozzarella).
Ingredients You’ll Need for Arancini
- Ground beef
- Tomato puree
- Green peas (fresh or frozen)
- Leftover white rice (or cooked and chilled rice)
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Dried thyme
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- White flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Olive oil
How to Make Sicilian Rice Balls (Arancini)
Make the meat filling:
- Add the ground beef, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and half of the spices (1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme) to the pan.
- Cook the meat until it is brown and dry.
- Add the peas and mix well.
- Add the tomato puree and cook for another 7 minutes. Taste the mixture and add a bit of brown sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomato puree.
- The meat should be juicy but not saucy, so cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside.
Prep the other ingredients:
- Mix the breadcrumbs and the other half of the spices (1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme) in a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- Place the flour in a third bowl.
Shape the arancini balls:
- Wet your hands to keep the rice from sticking to them. Take a couple of tablespoons of rice in your hands and press it to form a “bowl” shape.
- Add a couple of teaspoons of the meat filling.
- Add 2 more tablespoons of rice to cover the filling.
- Press and shape it into a ball.
- Set each ball aside until you have used all of the rice and meat filling.
Fry the arancini balls:
- Fill a pan with enough olive oil to fry the balls. Heat the oil on medium.
- Dip each ball into the flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs. Set aside.
- Fry the balls in batches, making sure to not overcrowd the pan. If you are not deep frying them immersed in the oil, flip each ball when the frying side is golden brown.
- Place the fried arancini ball on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
- Serve the arancini balls hot or cold.
Tips and Variations for Sicilian Rice Balls
When it comes to making arancini, there are a few tips and variations you should keep in mind.
- It’s very important to shape the balls with wet hands to avoid the rice from sticking to your hands. Re-wet them between each ball.
- Try adding some mozzarella cheese, cut in small chunks, to the filling. You can also add some Parmesan cheese.
- To give them more protein and flavor, try adding ham, sausage, or prosciutto to the mixture before forming the balls.
- Mix in vegetables, such as diced carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, olives, or pesto, for an extra boost of nutrition.
- Experiment with different types of breadcrumbs. Traditional Italian panko crumbs provide a light and crunchy finish, while Japanese panko crumbs provide a flakey outer crust.
Arancini FAQs
What type of rice is best for arancini?
Short-grain rice is the best choice for arancini. Short-grain rice is starchier and stickier than other types of rice, which helps to create the perfect texture for these fried treats. Arborio is a good option that is easy to find in most grocery stores.
Are Sicilian rice balls served hot or cold?
Sicilian rice balls are most often served hot with a crispy outer coating and warm, creamy filling. But you can also enjoy them cold. If the rice filling has become dry, you may need to reheat them or dip them in a sauce.
What is a good accompaniment to Sicilian rice balls?
You can serve arancini as a side dish or appetizer. Enjoy arancini with a dipping sauce, such as marinara, pesto, or garlic-infused olive oil.
Other Italian-Inspired Recipes
- Easy Italian Meatball Bake
- Shrimp Caesar Salad with Quinoa
- Italian Stuffed Peppers with Sausage and Orzo
- 30 Minute Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
Bottom Line
With their combination of crunchy and creamy textures and flavors, Sicilian rice balls, also known as arancini, are the perfect way to enjoy classic Italian cuisine. Try adding some of your favorite ingredients like ham, cheese, or vegetables for an extra boost of nutrition and flavor. Sicilian rice balls can be served hot or cold and enjoyed with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Sicilian Rice Balls (Arancini)
Classic Italian arancini balls, made simple. Perfect to use some leftover white rice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups minced beef
- ½ cup tomato puree
- ½ cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 3 cups leftover white rice
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups white flour
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + a lot more for frying (depending on your pan)
Instructions
1. Start by making the meat, for this in a pan add the olive oil and the minced meat and season it with the salt and half the spices. Cook until brown and dry.
2. Add the peas and mix well.
3. Add the tomato puree and cook for another 7 minutes. Taste and add a bit of brown sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomato puree. The meat should be juicy but not saucy, so let cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Once done set aside.
4. Prep a bowl with the breadcrumbs and season them with the other half of the spices: garlic powder, oregano, and thyme, mix well.
5. In another bowl crack the 3 eggs and beat until well combined.
6. Prep a third bowl with the flour.
7. Let’s shape the balls:
- With wet hands take a couple of tablespoons of rice and press it to form a “bowl” shape.
- Add a couple of teaspoons of the meat filling.
- Add two more rice tablespoons to cover the filling.
- Press and shape it into a ball.
- Set aside until you have all of them formed.
8. Fill a pan with enough olive oil to fry the balls, and heat on medium.
9. Dip each ball into the flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs. Set aside.
10. Fry the balls in batches, making sure to not overcrowd the pan. Flip when the frying side is golden brown in case you are frying them with not enough oil to deep fry them.
11. Let them seat on a plate with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.
12. Serve them hot or cold
Notes
These Sicilian arancini can also have a cheese interior, for this add some mozzarella cheese cut in small chunks. You can also add some parmesan cheese.
It’s very important to shape the balls with wet hands to avoid the rice from sticking to your hands. Re-wet them in between each ball.
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