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You are here: Home / Europe / Risotto Balls with Marinara Dipping Sauce

March 7, 2012 By Kaitlin 20 Comments

Risotto Balls with Marinara Dipping Sauce

I love when you can incorporate leftovers from one meal into a new dinner the next night. I am a huge fan of risotto, but it can get a little old eating reheated risotto after a few nights. Risotto balls are the perfect way to still use those leftovers but have a completely different meal. I used my leftover Mushroom Risotto for this recipe, but feel free to use whatever you might have.
Ingredients:
1 cup risotto
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 large egg
6 fresh mozzarella balls
1 tablespoon fresh basil, roughly chopped
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup marinara sauce (I used Pomi Tomato Basil sauce)
Oil, for frying

Add the risotto, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, basil, and the egg to a small bowl. Mix to combine.
Form the risotto into palm sized balls, adding a mozzarella ball in the center and forming the risotto around the mozzarella ball. (It should make 6 risotto balls)
Add the remaining bread crumbs to a plate. Roll the balls in the bread crumbs and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. (This will help the risotto balls keep their shape when you fry them.)
While waiting for the 30 minutes to pass, chop the shallot and garlic. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil to a saute pan over medium high heat. Add the shallot and garlic.
Cook for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup marinara sauce and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. Keep warm.
Heat the oil to 350 to 375 degrees. (I was a bit low on canola oil so I actually only ended up putting about an inch depth of oil in the pot. It still turned out fine, but having enough to cover the risotto balls would make this easier/quicker to make.) Add the risotto balls two at a time.
Cook until cooked, turning to cook evenly (about 3-5 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel. Serve while still hot with the marinara sauce.
These are crunchy little balls of deliciousness. I didn’t know risotto could taste better than it already did until now!
The risotto was so yummy I completely forgot about the mozzarella ball in the center, but was more than happy to come upon it!
It didn’t melt all the way, which I would have preferred, but it was still delicious. The marinara sauce was the perfect dipping accompaniment. I love the Pomi Tomato Basil sauce because it really doesn’t need anything to make it taste awesome. (I’ve written two posts in the past about all the positives of Pomi. Check them out here and here)
Is it bad that I might put some risotto to the side from now on just so I can have these the next day?

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Main Dish, Meatless, Vegetarian Tagged With: Balls, Basil, Bread Crumbs, Dipping, Fried, Garlic, Marinara, Meatless, Mozzarella, Pomi, Risotto, Sauce, Shallots, Tomato, Vegetarian

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    March 7, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I LOVE the shot with the oozey gooey cheese pouring out from the middle! YUM!

    Reply
  2. RavieNomNoms says

    March 7, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    I love risotto!! It is so amazing.

    Reply
  3. Marina says

    March 7, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    What a great way to use leftover!

    Reply
  4. itsgoodtobethecook.com says

    March 7, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Okay, why do you have the BEST recipes ever? I love this one too!

    Reply
    • Kait Lunny says

      March 7, 2012 at 3:35 pm

      🙂 Thanks! So glad you like them!

      Reply
  5. Kiri W. says

    March 7, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Oh Manu, the things you do to me! I love risotto cakes, but this? This screams for my tender, loving belly. Sigh. 😉

    Reply
    • Kiri W. says

      March 7, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      …. Argh.My brain is so fried. I have no idea why I called you manu, sorry!

      Reply
  6. Nicole @ Half-buzzed hostess says

    March 7, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    OMG these are like the filet mignon of Italian rice balls. Genius!

    Reply
  7. Suzi says

    March 7, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    These look fantastic, I really like that you added the basil leaves in there, such a great flavor and the mozzarella in the center. Yes!

    Reply
  8. Emily says

    March 7, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I keep seeing these pop up on website and I need to get on it. I love risotto too and these little balls look fantastic.

    Reply
  9. Lacy @ NYCityEats says

    March 7, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Yum!! I love any kind of rice ball w/ a gooey cheese center! These look incredible with the risotto. Delish!

    Reply
  10. Anita at Hungry Couple says

    March 7, 2012 at 11:38 pm

    OMG, I have to make these! The only thing is…I understand risotto but, leftover risotto? I’m not familiar with that idea 🙂

    Reply
  11. Maureen says

    March 8, 2012 at 1:48 am

    This is a brilliant idea! I love making risotto but I end up tossing it out because I always make too much. (eyes bigger than my belly, my mother always said)

    Reply
  12. Shermika says

    March 8, 2012 at 2:57 am

    This looks really good and yummy! Now I need to take out the risotto cake recipe I got from Whole Foods. I like the addition of the cheese.

    Reply
  13. PolaM says

    March 8, 2012 at 4:42 am

    beautiful with the surprise mozzarella1

    Reply
  14. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says

    March 8, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    This is amazing! What a great idea for leftover risotto! I want to go make some now, just so I have leftovers!

    Reply
  15. Baker Street says

    March 9, 2012 at 5:28 am

    What a fabulous idea and i love how easy it is to execute.

    Reply
  16. Margherita says

    March 9, 2012 at 8:53 am

    What a fantastic idea for an healthy snack!

    Reply
  17. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    March 9, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    Great idea! Creamy risotto stuffed with cheese and fried- does it get any better than that! Lovely pictures.

    Reply
  18. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says

    March 11, 2012 at 5:52 am

    Ohh, ok, so one of my favorite happy hour spots has risotto balls just like this and they are one of my favorite appetizers to order. Now I can make them at home with your delicious recipe!

    Reply

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