Veal Parmigiana Fanfare
Veal Parmigiana Fanfare features tender breaded veal cutlets layered with rich tomato sauce and melted cheeses, making it a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 minced garlic cloves ⓘ
- 3/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 2 (1 lb.) cans tomatoes ⓘ
- 6 oz. can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground oregano ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cracker crumbs, finely crushed
- 8 veal cutlets (2 lb.) ⓘ
- 2 (8 oz.) packages sliced Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute chopped onion and minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until soft; stir in tomato paste and sugar.
- Simmer the mixture for 45 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in ground oregano and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat eggs and salt slightly in a bowl.
- Dip veal cutlets into the egg mixture and then into finely crushed cracker crumbs to coat well.
- Brown the coated veal cutlets in part of the remaining olive oil, a few at a time, adding oil as needed; drain excess oil.
- Pour about 1 cup of the prepared tomato sauce into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
- Layer half of the veal cutlets over the sauce and spread with 1 cup of sauce.
- Sprinkle with half of the sliced mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with remaining veal cutlets, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with cooked spaghetti.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider substituting the veal with chicken cutlets or eggplant slices. You can use panko breadcrumbs instead of cracker crumbs for extra crunch. If you're short on time, a store-bought marinara sauce can replace the homemade tomato sauce without sacrificing too much flavor. Enhance the sauce with some fresh basil or red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Veal Parmigiana alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. It also pairs beautifully with cooked spaghetti, allowing the delicious sauce to coat the pasta. For a heartier option, consider serving it with Italian Zucchini Casserole for a delightful twist on traditional sides.
Storage & Reheating
Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20 minutes. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the veal while warming the cheese and sauce.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Veal Parmigiana Fanfare contains roughly 1464 calories, with 26g protein, 153g carbohydrates, and 86g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (52% of the Daily Value), iron (40% of the Daily Value), and calcium (40% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1999mg per serving (87% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with leftover sauce?
Leftover sauce can be used in various dishes! Consider using it in Sausage Parmesan(From Leftover Spaghetti Sauce) or as a base for homemade pizza. It also freezes well, so you can save it for another meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).