Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe
Do we have any other mozzarella lovers out there? We love mozzarella in all shapes and sizes. Shredded mozzarella, mozzarella balls, sliced mozzarella, you name it. Every shape has its purpose. There is nothing better than freshly sliced mozzarella on pizza, for example.
Recipe developer and registered dietitian nutritionist, Kristen Carli, MS, RD, brings us this recipe for marinated mozzarella balls. These make the perfect addition to any antipasto platter or charcuterie board. Serve them alongside crackers, cured meats, olives, and nuts for the most epic appetizer. We recommend even serving these on top of a salad for a little extra fat, flavor, and protein. These are great to have in your fridge prepared at the beginning of the week. You can easily scoop some out to add to meals or to snack on with some crackers.
Read on below to see our step-by-step guide on how to make these marinated mozzarella balls.
Gather your ingredients for marinated mozzarella balls
To make these marinated mozzarella balls, we will start by gathering the ingredients. For this recipe, you will need mozzarella balls or pearls, olive oil, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic.
Add the mozzarella balls to a bowl
To get started, you'll first need to add the mozzarella balls to a bowl. If you're using the mozzarella pearls, you may notice that they tend to stick together once removed from the vacuum-sealed packaging. Use a spoon to break them up, if this happens. If you use the slightly larger ciliegine mozzarella balls, you likely won't have to deal with this, as these are typically packaged in a water-packed tub.
Add seasonings
Next, drizzle the olive oil over the mozzarella. It may seem like a lot of oil, but this is what helps to get the mozzarella marinating. Then, add in the dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic. These spices will help to create a flavorful marinade. If you want, you can get creative with these spices. Other spices that you may want to try include red chili pepper flakes, black pepper, dried thyme, or even ground cumin.
Stir and marinate
Now, give this mixture a good stir. Once the mixture has been combined, place the mozzarella balls into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This provides enough time for the flavors to meld and seep into the mozzarella cheese.
When the balls are done marinating, you can serve them alongside crackers for scooping or serve a spoonful of marinated mozzarella balls on your next salad.
- 16 ounces mozzarella balls (pearls or ciliegine)
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- In a medium bowl, add the mozzarella pearls. Use a spoon to separate them if they're stuck together.
- Add the olive oil, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic.
- Stir to combine.
- Marinate in fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
| Calories per Serving | 664 |
| Total Fat | 61.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 19.9 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 89.6 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3.7 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g |
| Sodium | 712.6 mg |
| Protein | 25.4 g |
