Veal Parm with Spaghetti
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 2 servings
- Total: 1 hr 55 min
- Active: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients
Sauce and Pasta:
4 thin slices pancetta, small dice (about 3 ounces)
Good-quality extra-virgin olive oil, for cooking and drizzling
1 medium Spanish onion, small dice
Kosher salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, such as San Marzano
1 pound spaghetti
8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced into chiffonade
Veal:
2 large eggs
1 cup panko
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 boneless veal chops (1- to 1 1/2-inches thick), butterflied and pounded 1/4 inch thick
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil, for cooking
1 small ball fresh mozzarella (about 4 ounces), sliced into thin rounds
Directions
- For the sauce and pasta: Add the pancetta and a bit of olive oil to a medium pot over low heat. Cook to render the fat, about 10 minutes. Add the onions and season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes, then fill the can halfway with water and add that. Season to taste. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring and tasting occasionally and adjusting the seasoning as needed, until thick, at least 30 minutes. (If the sauce reduces too much, add additional water.)
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- For the veal: Line 2 baking sheets with wire racks and set aside. Beat the eggs in a shallow dish with a splash of water. Add the panko and Parmesan to another shallow dish. Add the flour to a third shallow dish. Heavily sprinkle the veal with salt. Dredge the veal pieces in the flour and shake off excess. Dip in the egg mixture, then coat both sides with breadcrumbs. Place on one of the rack-lined baking sheets.
- Preheat the broiler with the rack on the highest setting.
- Fill a medium pan with olive oil about 1/4-inch deep and heat over medium-high. Brown 1 piece of veal until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Blot on a paper towel to remove the excess oil and place on the clean cooling rack. Repeat with the second piece of veal.
- Evenly coat each veal piece with a few spoonfuls of sauce, a sprinkle of Parmesan and an even layer of mozzarella. Broil until the cheese has browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Discard the oil in the veal pan and wipe clean with a paper towel. Add the pasta and the remaining sauce to the pan; toss to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil. Toss again to fully coat the pasta.
- Twirl half the pasta on a plate using tongs, then top with some sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Place the veal next to the pasta and garnish with the basil. Serve with a small ramekin of extra sauce topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat to make one more serving.