Home > Eating In > By Course > Appetizers and Snacks > Marinated Ciliegine (Mozzarella Balls)

Marinated Ciliegine (Mozzarella Balls)

This post may contain affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.

These Marinated Ciliegine (or Mozzarella Balls) are immersed in extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil and oregano, and red pepper flakes. It is simple but delish and perfect addition to your next charcuterie board or salad.
Servings: 8 people
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
marinated mozzarella balls in a bowl next to bread, cured meat, and tomatoes

Marinated mozzarella balls or ciliegine are one of my favorite items to get at the olive bar at our local grocery store but they can be pricey. It is simple enough to make at home with a little prep and an hour of marinating time. Marinated mozzarella is perfect for a no-cook appetizer or as part of an Italian-inspired antipasti board.

marinated mozzarella balls in a bowl next to bread, cured meat, and tomatoes

Key Ingredients


This dish could not be simpler to prepare. Soaked in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, the mozzarella develops a rich and complex flavor.

The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.

  • Ciliegine: Mozzarella balls come in many different sizes. From traditional mozzarella which is about the size of an orange to Perline which is the size of pearls. For this recipe, we opted for ciliegine which is the size of a cherry but you can substitute any size such as bocconcini or ovolini. If you choose a larger size you might need to cut it into bite-size pieces before marinating.
  • Olive Oil: Not all olive oil is created equal. You want to find the best quality that also has a nice flavor that complements the mozzarella and herbs.
  • Herbs and Spices: Our recipe uses fresh basil and oregano but you can substitute dried. Approximately 1/2 tablespoon of dried basil is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh and approximately 1 teaspoon of dried oregano is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh. You can also add some thyme, parsley, or rosemary as well. Besides fresh herbs, you will need some garlic and crushed red pepper.
ingredients for marinated ciliegine

How to Make Marinated Ciliegine


Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.

Pro-tip: Don’t discard the extra olive oil. It will have a delicious garlic herb flavor and is perfect for dipping your favorite bread.

1. Combine the herbs, spices, and olive oil: In a small bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.

olive oil, basil, and spices in a bowl

2. Marinate the ciliegine: Add the ciliegine and stir to coat then transfer to an airtight container and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

3. Serve: Allow marinated ciliegine to come to room temperature then taste and add additional salt or herbs as needed. Serve with bruschetta and dried salami or as part of a charcuterie board.

marinated mozzarella balls in a bowl next to bread, cured meat, and tomatoes

Mozzarella Types by Size


Mozzarella cheese has a variety of names depending on its size and form.

  • Perlini or Mozzarella Pearls – the size of a pearl and weighing 1-4 grams
  • Noccioline – the size of a nut and weighs about 9 grams
  • Ciliegine – cherry size and weigh around 13 grams
  • Bocconcini – are bite-size and weigh about 40 grams
  • Ovolini – are the size of an egg and weigh approximately 113 grams
  • Fior di Latte, di Bufala, and Burrata – are all the size of a small ball and weigh between 113 grams to 225 grams

Recipe Tips and Notes


  • The mozzarella balls need to marinate for at least an hour, so plan accordingly.
  • You can use any size of mozzarella balls but anything bigger than “bite-size” should be cut into smaller pieces.
  • The olive oil will solidify in the refrigerator so allow it to sit at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions


How to store marinated ciliegine?

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

What to serve it with?

Marinated mozzarella goes with an anti-paste plate or charcuterie board, on crostini, or mixed into an Italian-inspired pasta salad.

marinated mozzarella balls in a bowl next to bread, cured meat, and tomatoes

Let’s Connect! If you make our Marinated Ciliegine or any other recipe on Casual Epicure, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are considering making our recipes and we love hearing about your cooking experiences. And if you snapped some shots, share them on Instagram, and be sure to tag @casual.epicure so we can feature them in our stories.

Other Recipes to Try


If you enjoy this recipe, we recommend checking out some of these:

marinated mozzarella balls in a bowl next to bread, cured meat, and tomatoes

Marinated Ciliegine (Mozzarella Balls)

Posted by Melissa
These Marinated Ciliegine (or Mozzarella Balls) are immersed in extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil and oregano, and red pepper flakes. It is simple but delish and perfect addition to your next charcuterie board or salad.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Marinate Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces ciliegine, small fresh mozzarella balls
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.
  • Add the ciliegine and stir to coat.
  • Transfer to an airtight container and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
  • Allow marinated ciliegine to come to room temperature then taste and add additional salt or herbs as needed. Serve with bruschetta and dried salami or as part of a charcuterie board.

Notes

1. Dried basil can be substituted for fresh basil. Approximately 1/2 tablespoon of dried basil is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh.
2. Dried oregano can be substituted for fresh oregano Approximately 1 teaspoon of dried oregano is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh.
3. Not all olive oil is created equal so use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.  
4. Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. The nutritional value is only for the Marinated Ciliegine. It does not include the nutrition for any substitutions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 337 kcalCarbohydrates: 26 gProtein: 10 gFat: 28 gSaturated Fat: 7 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5 gMonounsaturated Fat: 11 gCholesterol: 20 mgSodium: 274 mgPotassium: 897 mgFiber: 12 gSugar: 5 gVitamin A: 1224 IUVitamin C: 56 mgCalcium: 17 mgIron: 20 mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @casual.epicure to be featured on our stories!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe




Scroll to Top