Skip to Content

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed Croquettes

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside,  oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center.  Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside, oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center. Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes have so much flavor going on in them. Leave it to the Italians to come up with another way to serve pasta!  I had something similar to this recipe when we were in Italy a few years ago.  I remember thinking it wasn’t quite arancini (aka risotto balls) but it was like a distant cousin to one.

Croquettes are defined as a breaded ball, dipped in egg, usually filled with potatoes or minced meats then deep-fried.  Arancini (risotto balls)  are lightly coated in bread, filled with risotto and fried (no egg needed.)

This version of Pesto Pasta Cheese stuffed Croquettes is a mix of both by using both pesto pasta with lots of cheese, then an extra cube of cheese for extra melty ooziness and then coats them in panko before frying.

By using the panko bread crumbs, the croquettes come out a little lighter than using regular breadcrumbs.

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside, oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center. Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!

Points of Interest for Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed Croquettes:

Easy/Hard:  The croquettes are easy to make, but they are time-consuming.  A lot of time is spent chilling in the fridge but that step is important to have the croquettes stay intact so you can’t skip it.

Make-Ahead:  You can make ahead up until the frying stage.  If you have the balls formed and chilled you can dip them in the egg/panko and fry them when you need them.  You cannot dip them and let them chill, because the egg will cause the panko to be soggy and you won’t get a crispy croquette.

Wine Pairing:  These go great with a Garnache red wine.  The wine is not super heavy so it pairs well with the fried, pasta filled croquette.

Gruyere Salami Risotto Balls (Arancini): An easy appetizer to make from leftover risotto. These Arancini balls are filled with a melty, stretchy Gruyere cheese and a spicy salami. Those are surrounded by risotto that is rolled in panko and fried for a crunchy bite of deliciousness!
Gruyere Salami Risotto Balls (Arancini)

If you like this recipe you may also like my recipe for Arancini/Risotto Balls! They too have melted cheese in the middle as well as a bonus piece of salami.

Yield: 8 servings (3 croquettes)

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed Croquettes

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside, oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center. Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside, oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center. Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!

Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup store bought pesto sauce, see notes for homemade recipe)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cup cooked orzo pasta, (1/2 bag, 1# dry)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, (cut into 24 pieces)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 4 extra-large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, add pesto sauce, pasta, 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese, butter.  Place a piece of plastic wrap over the mixture and let chill for at least an hour.
  2. Using your hands, grab a golf ball sized amount of pasta, place the cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle and surround it completely. Form into compact balls.  Repeat until all are formed, then chill again for one hour to set them.
  3. Once balls are chilled, take out two small bowls.  In one bowl crack all of the eggs, remove and throw away shell, then mix until frothy with a fork.
  4. In a second bowl place panko breadcrumbs and add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.  Salt and pepper panko to taste.
  5. On the stove top, in a deep bottom skillet add 1/2 cup olive oil and heat to medium high.  (if you heat the oil to high, the panko will just burn when you put it in the oil.)
  6. While the oil is heating up, take one ball, roll it in the egg mixture, then boll it in the panko.  Repeat one more time in egg mix, then panko.  
  7. Once the oil is hot, you will place balls into oil and fry, rotating so that all sides turn golden brown.  About 10-12 minutes.  Do not overcrowd the pan, it is better to fry in batches so that they all cook evenly.
  8. Once golden brown, remove from pan to a paper towel lined plate to drain off excess oil.  Repeat until all balls are cooked.
  9. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.  Croquettes will have melted cheese in the center!
  10. Serve along side additional pesto sauce, tomato sauce or bruschetta for dipping.  

Notes

Caloric info was obtained using the brands/ingredients that I specifically purchased for this recipe.  If you are following a strict diet, be aware the brands you purchase and use may have different calories than what I have used and plan accordingly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

8 servings (3 croquettes)

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 455Carbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 22g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure and tag us on Instagram (@michele_westviamidwest) to be featured in our stories or our weekly newsletter! We love it when you make our recipes and share the love!

This recipe was inspired by the recipe from Pizzarium in Food and Wine.

Pesto Pasta Cheese Stuffed croquettes are crunchy outside, oozing with melty cheesy pasta in the center. Warm, comforting and filling so you can easily make one batch for a party!
Sign up to get recipes and tips for stress free entertaining!

we won't EVER sell or share your info!

I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Alyssa Mosher

Thursday 30th of March 2017

Looks great!!

Amanda

Thursday 30th of March 2017

Such a creative and delicious recipe!! Saved!

Michele

Monday 3rd of April 2017

awww... so glad you saved it! Let me know how it turns out for you! ~m

Megan @ MegUnprocessed

Thursday 30th of March 2017

This is the perfect bite sized portion and easier way to feed a crowd!

Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

Wednesday 29th of March 2017

My stomach is literally growling. YUM!

Kristen Chidsey

Wednesday 29th of March 2017

This satisfies so many of my cravings on SO many levels LOVE it!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses affiliate links, such as Amazon which pays this site a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read full info here.

Skip to Recipe

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!