ARANCINI WITH MARINARA SAUCE

Arancini with Marinara Sauce image

Whet their appetites with Arancini Balls with Marinara Sauce. Arancini balls are a traditional Italian appetizer of stuffed rice balls coated in bread crumbs and deep fried. Do we have your attention yet? Good. Your family will sure appreciate it!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Home

Time 35m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread
3 cups cooked short-grain white rice, cooled
1-1/4 cups panko bread crumbs, divided
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
2 sticks KRAFT or POLLY-O Mozzarella String Cheese
2 cups oil
1 Tbsp. fresh marjoram leaves
1/2 cup CLASSICO Spicy Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce

Steps:

Mix egg and cream cheese spread in large bowl until blended. Add rice, 1/2 cup bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan; mix well.
Use moistened hands to roll rice mixture into 16 balls, using about 2 Tbsp. rice mixture for each ball.
Cut each stick of string cheese into 8 pieces; insert 1 mozzarella piece into center of each ball, completely enclosing mozzarella with rice mixture.
Combine remaining bread crumbs with 1/4 cup of the remaining Parmesan in shallow dish. Roll rice balls, 1 at a time, in bread crumb mixture, turning to evenly coat all sides of each ball.
Heat oil in Dutch oven on medium-high heat to 325°F. Working in batches, add rice balls to hot oil; cook 4 to 6 min. or until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Use slotted spoon to remove rice balls from oil; drain on paper towels. Transfer rice balls to plate; sprinkle with marjoram and remaining Parmesan.
Heat pasta sauce. Serve with the rice balls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Sodium 160 mg, Carbohydrate 16 g, Fiber 0.6327 g, Sugar 0.7954 g, Protein 5 g