Easy Baked Rice Balls (Arancini)

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Then add the quick-cooking rice, cover pan, remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes.

Stir in one tablespoon of the butter and the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Fold in the bacon and parsley.

Using a scoop (I used a 1 ounce scoop and got 12 rice balls) or your hands, form the rice mixture into balls.

Melt the remaining butter and put it in a shallow bowl. Spread the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip each rice ball into the butter and then into the breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate the rice balls and continue baking for an additional 10 – 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Serve hot, with or without a dipping sauce.