Swaggerty’s Farm Arancini Recipe

directions

Prepare Rice Base

In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook until soft and translucent. Add garlic; cook until fragrant. Add Arborio rice; toast 2–3 minutes. Add hot stock; simmer until absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in butter and Parmesan. Season and spread on tray to cool completely.

Prepare Filling

In another large skillet, heat olive oil; cook country ham 2–3 minutes. Add Italian sausage; cook thoroughly, breaking into small pieces. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 15–20 minutes until thick. Stir in basil; season and cool completely.

Form Arancini

Scoop about 2oz. of  rice; flatten into a cup. Add 1oz. filling and Mozzarella. Enclose and form a tight ball. Place on parchment-lined tray; chill until firm.

Bread Arancini

Season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge chilled Arancini balls: Place seasoned flour, egg wash and bread crumbs in three separate bowls or pie tins. Dredge Arancini ball in each mixture starting with flour → egg wash → breadcrumbs, until coated. Return to balls to tray; chill or briefly freeze.

Fry

Heat oil to 350°F. Fry in small batches (4–5 minutes) until golden brown. Drain and set aside. Serve immediately.

8-10

servings

2 hours

prep time

30 min.

cook time

ingredients

Rice  (Arancini-Style Risotto)

  • ¾ cup Arborio rice
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, small dice
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2½ cups chicken stock, hot
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Filling

  • ½ lb. Swaggerty’s Farm Italian sausage
  • 2 oz country ham, diced
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, fine dice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (adjust as needed)
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chiffonade
  • 6–8 oz fresh Mozzarella, small dice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Breading Station

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs + 2 Tbsp. water (egg wash)
  • 1½–2 cups breadcrumbs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Frying

  • Vegetable oil, as needed

Level of complexity

hard

Ingredients

Special kitchen tools

Pairs well with

to serve
  • If serving a large crowd, keep Arancini warm in a warming dish or at about 135°F or less.
  • Slightly soft risotto helps with the binding.
  • Brief chilling/freezing improves the structure of Arancini before frying.
  • Expect extra filling, which can be used for later meals or adjust ratios as needed.

 

How to serve
If you love these Italian flavors, you'll also love this Easy One-Pot Italian Sausage Mac & Cheese.
Grab a package of our Italian Ground Sausage for this recipe.