rice ball casserole

This rice casserole recipe is a asy way to get your fix of the comforting flavors of the popular Sicilian rice balls (aracini). And it&#039;s the perfect casserole to make ahead and refrigerate or freeze for later if you need to.

Italian Rice Casserole Recipe with Chicken Sausage

white rice

Kosher salt

chicken

onions

peas

store-bought marinara sauce, (plus more for serving (optional))

Pecorino Romano cheese

eggs, (lightly beaten)

Extra virgin olive oil

bread

mozarella cheese

parsley

Cook the rice with the salt according to the package directions. Set aside to cool.

Heat a larger nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes (I found adding a little extra virgin olive oil to the pan helped). Stir in the onions and cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes more. Add the peas and 1 cup marinara sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook until the flavors meld, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, Pecorino, eggs, and 1/2 cup marinara sauce and mix well. (The mixture should be a bit sticky).

Brush or spray the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with extra virgin olive oil. Add 2 tablespoons bread crumbs to the dish and roll around to coat the bottom and sides.

Take half the rice mixture (or a little more if needed) and cover the bottom and sides of the dish, pressing the rice down to form an even bottom layer. Add the sausage-pea mixture and spread in one layer. Top with 3/4 cup mozzarella. Cover with the remaining rice mixture, press until even. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup marinara, 2 tablespoons read crumbs, and 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake until hot, about 30 minutes. Garnish with parsley or basil. Cut into 8 pieces and serve with more marinara, if you like.

Top 1 rice ball casserole recipes from across the web

The most viewed rice ball casserole recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Italian Rice Casserole Recipe with ...

Top 1 rice ball casserole recipes from across the web

The most viewed rice ball casserole recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Italian Rice Casserole Recipe with ...

The most viewed rice ball casserole recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine