There may be no better way to stretch odds and ends around the kitchen than to make a frittata: there’s no crust to fuss with, the eggy matrix can handle almost any savory inclusions, and the frittata itself can be enjoyed hot or at room temperature. We have a regular movie night with our friends, and I often serve meatballs, since grown-ups and kids like them with equal verve. I always make extra meatballs, in part because they taste even better the next day. Last time we slurped spaghetti and watched some Hitchcock, I got thinking about a meatball- studded frittata. The next day I whipped up my vision and loved how the pockets of mozzarella puffed and bubbled dramatically.
Recipe information
Total Time
20 minutes
Yield
4 main-course servings or 6 appetizer servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 2
In a large ovenproof and preferably nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the tomato juices are viscous and glossy, about 2 minutes. Pour the tomatoes onto a plate, and use a silicone spatula to scrape any sticky tomato juices onto the plate as well.
Step 3
Whisk the eggs until well blended, then mix in the Parmigiano and basil. Season with salt and pepper. (Start with 3/4 teaspoon salt: you can cook up a spoonful of the mix to check the seasoning.)
Step 4
Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in the pan, cut sides down if they have been halved. Evenly sprinkle in the tomatoes. Pour in the egg mixture, using a fork to evenly redistribute tomatoes or basil if necessary. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly across the pan. Cook until the edges of the frittata start to set, then use a silicone spatula to pull the cooked egg away from the sides of the pan a bit, letting the raw egg flow behind it. Repeat a few times and cook until the eggs are almost set in the perimeter of the pan, about 5 minutes.
Step 5
Place the pan in the oven and bake until the eggs are just set in the center and the frittata and the top is dappled with toasty brown patches, about 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 1 minute to help set the top and to foster bubbly, toasted cheese bites.
Step 6
Remove the pan from the oven. The frittata is easiest to remove from the pan after resting 5 minutes. Slide the spatula underneath to loosen, then top with a large plate or pizza pan over the pan and invert the frittata onto it. Flip the frittata one more time onto a serving plate or cutting board so it is right side up. Serve with a green salad.
Recipe notes
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What to Cook This Weekend: February 22–24
Chicken and bacon choucroute. A feta-topped navy bean and escarole stew. And a stunning citrus tart.
