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! :D
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!
[…] 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 […]
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.
[…] Pie, Arancini Casserole, […]
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/
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
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!
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 : )
I LOVE Gina’s recipes! This one looks fantastic so I’ll have to check it out soon.
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 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.
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!
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?
wow this looks great!!!!!! im bookmarking it! thanks for the suggestion ;)
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!
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!