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[Cooking Techniques] Beef & Bacon Bolognese Arancini Balls

with Garlic Aioli & Fennel Salad
Berlinda Le
Berlinda LeUpdated on November 07, 2025
Get up to $230 off
Calories
1010 kcal
Protein
51.1g protein
Preparation Time
1 hour 20 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Allergens:
  • Celery
  • Eggs
  • Wheat
  • Gluten
  • Milk
  • Gluten
  • Soy
  • May contain traces of allergens
  • Wheat
  • Milk
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.
Serving amount

1 sachet

Chicken-Style Stock Powder

(Contains: Celery;)

1

Pear

1 packet

Garlic Aioli

(Contains: Eggs;)

1 packet

Panko Breadcrumbs

(Contains: Wheat, Gluten; May be present: Gluten, Soy.)

1 packet

arborio rice

(May be present: Gluten, Soy, Wheat.)

2

Garlic

1 packet

Parmesan Cheese

(Contains: Milk;)

1

Brown Onion

1 sachet

Tomato & Herb Seasoning

250 g

Beef Mince

90 g

Diced Bacon

(May be present: Soy, Milk.)

1 packet

Tomato Paste

1 packet

Spinach & Rocket Mix

Calories1010 kcal
Energy (kJ)4220 kJ
Fat41.5 g
of which saturates12.5 g
Carbohydrate101 g
of which sugars13.8 g
Dietary Fibre8.2 g
Protein51.1 g
Cholesterol13.9 mg
Sodium1880 mg
Potassium54.5 mg
Calcium0.7 mg
Iron0.3 mg
The average adult daily energy intake is 8700 kJ

Cooking Steps

1

• Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Boil the kettle. Finely chop garlic and brown onion (see ingredients). • Heat a large frying pan over high heat. Cook beef mince, diced bacon and onion (no need for oil!), breaking up with a spoon, until just browned, 3-5 minutes. • Add garlic, tomato paste and tomato & herb seasoning and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. • Add arborio rice and stir to coat. Add the boiling water (2 cups for 2 people / 4 cups for 4 people) and chicken-style stock powder. Bring to the boil, then remove from heat.

2

• Transfer the arancini mixture to a baking dish. • Cover tightly with foil and bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is ‘al dente’, 24-28 minutes. • Remove risotto from oven and stir through Parmesan cheese. • Stir through a splash of water to loosen risotto if needed. Season to taste. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until cooled.

3

• Once the arancini mixture has cooled, using damp hands, roll heaped spoonfuls of the mixture into balls (5-6 per person). Transfer to a plate. • In a shallow bowl, combine the plain flour and a good pinch of salt. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In a third shallow bowl, place panko breadcrumbs. • Gently dip balls into flour mixture to coat, then into egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Set aside on a plate.

4

• Wipe out frying pan and return to medium-high heat with enough olive oil to coat the base. • When oil is hot, cook arancini balls in batches, until golden, gently turning occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

TIP: Add extra oil if needed so the arancini do not stick to the pan.

5

• While the arancini balls are cooking, thinly slice pear into wedges. • In a medium bowl, combine spinach & rocket mix, pear, a drizzle of vinegar and olive oil. Season to taste.

6

• Divide beef bolognese arancini balls and spinach and rocket salad between plates. Serve with garlic aioli. Enjoy!

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