There’s really no other way to put it. You need to stop what you’re doing and make this casserole. Like, now. Right now!
This is the second recipe I’ve made of Gina’s this week (the first being Saucy Balls aka Asian Turkey Meatballs with Lime Sesame Dipping Sauce,) and not only did this yummy casserole satisfy both husband AND wife, but it also took Ben and I back to the unforgettable Italian vacation we took this Fall.
What is it already?!
Arancini Casserole!
Those luscious balls of fluffy risotto stuffed with meat and cheese then fried to a golden crisp that Ben and I fell madly in love overseas? Here! In casserole form! And it’s not even that bad for you! 
Reader Elizabeth sent me the link to this recipe on Facebook and I followed the recipe pretty much exactly. I started by cooking up a typical Arancini filling: spicy Italian sausage mixed with ground turkey, onions, peas and marinara sauce.
While that mixture simmered and reduced, I got to work on the rice.
Normally Arancini would be made by stuffing leftover risotto with meat & cheese, rolling it into a ball, then breading and frying it. Since I’m not an Italian Grandmother with leftover risotto just laying around, I made my own with rice, egg whites, parmesan cheese and marinara sauce.
Casserole building time! I started by dusting a casserole dish with bread crumbs, then pressed in half the rice mixture.
Next, top the rice with the cooked filling mixture and mozzarella cheese,
then the other half of the rice and more marinara sauce.
Finish with MORE cheese and MORE breadcrumbs, then bake.
.
Yesssss!
Layers and layers of flavah!
How much do you love it when casseroles come out in perfect squares?!
In true casserole fashion, the layers of creamy, cheesy rice and spicy, savory filling stood straight up. 
The best part? The crunchy breadcrumb crust!
I used whole wheat, seasoned breadcrumbs and they gave the casserole that extra “umph” of flavor.
Ben and I inhaled this. We were so happy because it was so good, but sad because it made us seriously miss our Italian shenanigans!
On the side I served some steamed broccoli. Blah, blah, blah. It was nothing compared the casserole, to be completely honest with you!
Wait, it gets better. For dessert I made the best batch of Peanut Butter Babies I’ve ever made.
Unlike last time, I used chewy, California pitted dates instead of dried, chopped dates.
It made ALL the difference.
My babies whipped up in a fraction of the time and were lusciously chewy.
Seriously – like caramel. CARAMEL! Peanut butter-vanilla caramel. Insane!!!
Sorry, I know that was a lot of CAPITALIZED WORDS and !!!!!!, but that was a really good meal. You know how it is!
In other news, it was more gorgeous today than it was yesterday – 69 degrees! I foolishly thought it was too windy to run outside, so I went to the gym after work, but the zillions of people I saw running and walking on my drive home made me realize it’s absolutely perfect out. Ben and I are going for a walk in the twilight!
Have a great night!
~~~~~
Do you have any spring break or upcoming trip plans?
Ben and I are trying to decide if we want to take an epic road trip in the very near future, or save for something bigger!
That casserole looks delightful! I love the Skinnytaste blog!
Ooh, my parents are visiting me next week and bringing a food processor – I have GOT to try those pb babies!
Wow, your photos are insanely beautiful! That last one, especially. I love how your background’s blurred but the front is super-clear. Do you use manual settings? It looks so professional!
I always use the bagged dates too, because my poor magic bullet isn’t strong enough for the other guys.
In any case, thank you so much for the sweet mention. Really made my day!
I use the “A” or aperture setting. The lower the aperture, the “fuzzier” the background will be. Thanks again for such an amazing (addicting!) recipe!
I can’t wait to run tomorrow!! Hallelujah for spring. I’m getting dates and pecans (allergic to peanuts) out to make those right now!
I am pretty much in love with the title of this post
Oh, the recipe looks amazing too!
Wow, this looks amazing!! It sounds like a great dinner party recipe.
That looks so yummy!! I’ve tried to make homemade Arranchini (sp) in the past and it was a nitemare but this looks like something I need to try ASAP. Sadly no spring break plans this year but next year is St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, GA. It’s insane!
Looks delicious! My husband rarely do italian dishes but this is one I might have to try!
As for Spring Break — no plans for my husband and me. I did see your “Oregon Trail” tweet — I say you should go for it! Road trips are fun!
Between you and Gina…I’m in trouble..
I am going to Seattle to visit my cousin! I can’t wait! My spring break plans usually involve visiting my grandparents in Florida, which is nice, but I’m really looking forward to exploring a new city!
Yum! That casserole looks awesome!
Going to Ireland on Saturday with my husband-so excited!!
Those babies look great!
This weather is amazing isn’t it… I am in Texas so tomorrow I am going to lay out!!
this casserole looks delicious! can’t wait to try!
i skipped the gym tonight and went for a run and YEA… it was windy!
it was gorgeous out though! loved it!
No spring break plans, this is my busy time at work. We are going to sedona and the grand canyon at the end of april and I am psyched.
This looks freaking amazing. Arancini is delish, I REALLY want to try this!
this summer we are going to vail, CO! i can’t wait…last time i was in CO i was 6 wks old, now i’m almost 26!
We love that site!!!!!
Awesome post and pics!
Just go for the road trip, ROAD TRIP!!!!
I AM LOVING ALL THE PEOPLE RUNNING OUTSIDE!!!! Although, I still love my treadmill. Seeing all these people run outside makes me feel like people are caring more about their health….I say BRING ON the good weather so more and more people will fill the streets….lol
Also…I love arancini so that casserole looked drool worthy ;p
This recipe looks so good!!! Arancini balls are so amazing and I can only imagine how good this would be for dinner — ummm bookmarked
Also, I’ve never been to Gina’s website before but looks like there are some fabulous recipes – thanks for the link!
Delicious dinner! I love casseroles. I like the fact that it makes so much that you have leftovers for several days!
I’m loving the spring like temperatures! We are supposed to be in the 70′s tomorrow! I can’t wait!
That casserole does look good — I love meals that “take you back” to something else!
My spring break starts LATER TODAY! My fiance and I are heading to Arkansas for camping!
wow this looks great!!!!!! im bookmarking it! thanks for the suggestion
Arancini balls! That’s so funny (and genius!) that you made an Arancini casserole — seriously everybody has been going CRAZY with these things in Rome…they served them at so many of our meals during orientation. When I return home at the end of the semester and am missing Italy, you better believe I’ll be whipping up this casserole
My friend and I just booked our girls’ getaway to the Amalfi Coast in April. I actually just re-read your post about Praiano to get some ideas but we decided to stay in Positano…with a possible day-trip to Capri. Did you and Ben go to Capri at all while you were there?
That casserole looks incredible! 100% understand why there would be so many capped words.
I’m heading to Dallas for a long weekend the first weekend in April, then to Florida the next week!
I really have to try arancini, i was in Italy last year and did not know about this dish.
I also love the fact you use Tone’s spices, i worked there for 18 years and love to support local companies.
This year my husband and I are going to London & Italy. We’re taking your advice and ending our trip is Praiano! Can’t wait!!
I LOVE Gina’s recipes! This one looks fantastic so I’ll have to check it out soon.
Going to Hawaii at the end of this month for my spring break. Then we have trips to Park City and Las Vegas planned too. I’m really excited : )
Great post! Your dinner and dessert both looked delishy.
Next week is John’s spring break so we’ll be enjoying some much-needed down time together. Can’t wait!
Oh, and hooray for warm weather! It’s 75 here today!
That looks delish! No spring break plans for me
I am going on a week long cruise in september though so that’ll be fun
made this dish (per your suggestion) with my friends last night…we all all loved it! thanks kristin!!! here is the link: http://www.sistersrunningthekitchen.com/2011/03/arancini-casserole/
[...] Pie, Arancini Casserole, [...]
Made the casserole tonight for the first time, and loved it! And anything that gives me leftovers is welcome, as I just don’t have the amount of time to spend in the kitchen that I would like.
[...] found this recipe for a casserole/healthified version of Arancini on one of my favorite blogs, Iowa Girl Eats. Kristin found the recipe Gina’s blog. If you want to check out the [...]