Italian Sausage Rice Balls with Marinara Sauce Ragu

Crispy, golden, and bursting with bold Italian flavors, these Italian Sausage Rice Balls with Marinara Sauce Ragu are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Made with creamy Arborio rice, savory Italian sausage, and a gooey mozzarella cheese center, these bite-sized delights are seasoned with fresh parsley, Parmesan, and a hint of garlic for a rich, aromatic taste. Each ball is perfectly fried to achieve a crunchy breadcrumb coating, while the warm, hearty marinara sauce adds a comforting, tangy twist. Whether you're entertaining guests or indulging in a delicious family meal, these irresistible arancini-style rice balls are guaranteed to impress. Perfectly paired with the marinara dipping sauce, they're a delightful mix of crispy, cheesy, and savory in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage (casing removed)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.75 cup Mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 cups Marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

Cook the Arborio rice in a pot with 4 cups of chicken broth according to package instructions, stirring frequently. Once cooked and creamy, spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.

Step 2

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces, until fully browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice, Parmesan cheese, 1 beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully integrated.

Step 4

With damp hands, take a scoop of the rice mixture and flatten it into a disc. Place a small piece of mozzarella cheese in the center and a little bit of cooked sausage. Carefully shape the rice around it to form a tight ball. Repeat for the rest of the mixture.

Step 5

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with 1 beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs.

Step 6

Roll each rice ball in the flour, then dip into the egg, and finally coat in breadcrumbs. Ensure each ball is thoroughly coated.

Step 7

In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the rice balls in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Step 8

Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warm.

Step 9

Serve the rice balls hot with marinara sauce ragu on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3209.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9112.6

Total Fat 869.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 162.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 705.0mg	0%
Sodium 10482.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 246.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.3g
Protein 145.3g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 1697.5mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 1823.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.3%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 10.5%