Italian · Dinner
Fried Rice Balls (Low-Calorie)
Baked arancini made with lean ground beef, tomato and part-skim mozzarella folded into arborio rice, coated in panko breadcrumbs and oven-crisped. Served with warm marinara for dipping, these rice balls deliver the crunchy shell and savoury filling of the classic Sicilian dish at a fraction of the calories.
$4
25 minsPrep
25 minsCook
50 minsTotal
MediumLevel
Nutrition per serving
392Calories
26.8gProtein
14.6gFat
38.9gCarbs
5.1gSugar
2.9gFiber
612mgSodium
168mgChol
5.9gSat Fat
520mgPotassium
220mgCalcium
3.1mgIron
1.6mcgVitamin B12
6mgVitamin C
low-calorie
low-calorie
Instructions
1
Prep
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with foil, setting a wire rack on top.
2
Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and garlic 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
3
Sear the ground beef over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains and it smells toasted.
4
Stir in the canned tomatoes and simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until thickened, then season with salt and pepper and cool.
5
In a bowl, fold the cooled beef mixture into the cooked rice with the parmesan, half the beaten egg and the basil until combined.
6
Divide the rice mixture into 3 portions, flatten each in your palm, press mozzarella cubes into the center, and mold into a tight ball.
7
Chill the formed balls in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so they firm up and hold their shape during coating.
8
Roll each ball in flour, dip in the remaining beaten egg, then coat in the panko, pressing gently so crumbs stick evenly.
9
Bake on the wire rack at 425°F (220°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, turning once, until the crust is deep golden and crisp.
10
Plate
Transfer the rice balls to a plate and serve warm with the marinara sauce alongside for dipping.
Serves
2 portions ·
2 adults, 0 over 10, 0 under 10
Ingredients
- 4.2 oz120g lean ground beef
- 1 cup180g arborio rice, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup120g canned tomatoes
- 1.4 oz40g part-skim mozzarella
- 2 tbsp2 tbsp parmesan
- 2 tbsp2 tbsp onion
- 22 small garlic clove
- 2 tsp2 tsp olive oil
- 22 large eggs
- 6 tbsp50g panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup120ml marinara sauce, low-sodium
- 2 tbsp2 tbsp basil, fresh
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- olive oil spray, for coating
