Veal parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is loved by many for its savory yet comforting flavors. The breaded and fried veal cutlets are smothered in tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, creating a mouthwatering combination.
Though it may seem intimidating, making restaurant-quality veal parmesan at home is actually quite easy. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a flavorful veal parmesan that looks and tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant. In this article, we will walk through an authentic veal parmesan recipe step-by-step and provide tips and tricks along the way.
Table of Contents
List of Ingredients For Veal Parmesan
- Veal cutlets
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Bread crumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Measurements and Quantities
- 4 veal cutlets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Marinara sauce (to taste)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil (for frying)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Special Tips
- Make sure the veal cutlets are pounded to an even thickness for cooking.
- Use fresh bread crumbs for the best texture.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- You can substitute chicken or eggplant for the veal if desired.
Equipment
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
- Meat mallet
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet
- Frying pan
- Tongs or spatula
- Oven-safe dish
Explanation of Necessity
- The meat mallet is necessary to pound the veal cutlets to an even thickness.
- Mixing bowls are needed to hold the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs for the breading process.
- A baking sheet is used to hold the breaded cutlets before frying.
- A frying pan is necessary to cook the veal cutlets.
- Tongs or a spatula are needed to flip the cutlets during cooking.
- An oven-safe dish is required for baking the veal with marinara sauce and cheese.
Preparation For Veal Parmesan
Step-by-step Instructions
- Begin by pounding the veal cutlets with a meat mallet until they are an even thickness.
- Set up three mixing bowls, one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dredge each veal cutlet first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured cutlet into the beaten eggs, coating it completely.
- Finally, press the cutlet into the bread crumb and Parmesan mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Place the breaded cutlets on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the breading to set.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry the breaded veal cutlets in the hot oil until they are golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the fried cutlets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Preheat the oven and set it to broil.
- Place the fried cutlets in an oven-safe dish and top each one with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil the veal Parmesan until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Efficient Preparation
- Prepare the breading ingredients and set up the assembly line before starting to bread the veal cutlets.
- While the breaded cutlets are chilling in the refrigerator, clean up the work area to minimize mess and make cooking more efficient.
- Heat the olive oil in the frying pan while the breaded cutlets are chilling to save time during the frying process.
Cooking Instructions
Detailed Cooking Steps
- Pound the veal cutlets to an even thickness.
- Dredge the cutlets in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and press into bread crumb and Parmesan mixture.
- Refrigerate the breaded cutlets for 30 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan and fry the cutlets until golden brown on both sides.
- Transfer the fried cutlets to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Preheat the oven to broil.
- Place the fried cutlets in an oven-safe dish and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Cooking Times and Temperatures
- Veal cutlets should be fried for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Broiling the veal Parmesan should take about 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Visual Cues
- The veal cutlets should be golden brown and crispy when they are done frying.
- The mozzarella cheese on top of the veal Parmesan should be melted and bubbly when it is done broiling.
Variations
Substitutions for Ingredients
- Chicken or eggplant can be substituted for veal in this recipe.
- Regular breadcrumbs can be used instead of bread crumbs.
- Grated Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese can be used instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Any favorite marinara sauce can be used.
Effects on Final Dish
- The choice of meat substitution will change the flavor and texture of the dish.
- Substituting different types of cheese can also alter the taste of the dish.
- Using different types of breadcrumbs may result in a different texture for the breading.
Tips and Tricks
Cooking Tips
- Pound veal cutlets to an even thickness for even cooking.
- Use fresh bread crumbs for the best texture.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Preheat the oven to broil to melt and brown the cheese on top quickly.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan, as this can lead to uneven cooking and soggy breading.
- Be careful not to overcook the veal cutlets, as they can become tough and chewy.
- When broiling the veal Parmesan, keep a close eye on it to avoid burning the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Presentation Ideas
- Serve the veal Parmesan on a bed of spaghetti or other pasta.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color.
- Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor.
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.
Recommended Side Dishes and Beverages
- A side of roasted vegetables complements the veal Parmesan well.
- Pair with a glass of red wine, such as a Chianti or Merlot, for an authentic Italian dining experience.
- Serve with a refreshing lemonade or iced tea for a lighter option.
Nutrition Information
Basic Nutritional Data
- The nutritional information may vary based on the specific brands and amounts used.
- This information is an estimate for a standard serving size.
Health Benefits
- Veal is a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
- The tomato-based marinara sauce provides antioxidants and lycopene.
- Mozzarella cheese offers calcium and protein benefits.
Storage and Leftovers
Storing Leftover Portions
- Store leftover veal Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Storage Duration
- Leftover veal Parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating Instructions
- Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to maintain the crispy texture of the breading.
- Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave, but be aware that the breading may become slightly soggy.
With tender breaded veal, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese, veal parmesan makes for the ultimate Italian-American comfort food. Preparing this dish at home is simpler than you may think. Crispy and flavorful veal parmesan can be made easily right in your own kitchen by following the steps above. Impress your family with this hearty yet elegant meal. Just be sure to have extra tomato sauce and bread on hand – leftovers will be requested!
Veal Parmesan: A Delicious Italian Restaurant Classic
Yield:
6
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
40 minutes
Veal Parmesan, also known as Veal Parmigiana, is a classic Italian-American dish that has become a beloved comfort food around the world. This dish features tender veal cutlets coated in breadcrumbs, fried to a golden crisp, and then baked with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. The result is a hearty and flavorful meal that's perfect for special occasions or a comforting family dinner. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to create a restaurant-quality Veal Parmesan right in your own kitchen. It may take a little time and effort, but the delicious end result is absolutely worth it. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get ready to prepare this delightful Italian classic!
Ingredients
- 4 thinly sliced veal cutlets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1⁄2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs into three separate shallow dishes. Dredge each veal cutlet first in the flour, dip in the egg, and then coat completely in the breadcrumbs.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pan fry the breaded veal cutlets for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the fried veal cutlets on top and cover with more sauce and the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven, top with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with pasta or garlic bread.
Notes
- Pound the veal with a meat mallet to a 1⁄4 inch thickness before breading for even cooking.
- For best results, use fresh breadcrumbs rather than panko or dried breadcrumbs.
- Use a combination of mozzarella and provolone cheese for added flavor.
- Add chopped basil, oregano or Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Let the fried veal cool slightly before adding sauce and cheese to prevent overcooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 2471Total Fat: 105gSaturated Fat: 31gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 63gCholesterol: 729mgSodium: 3678mgCarbohydrates: 243gFiber: 13gSugar: 18gProtein: 131g
About The Author
