Bocconcini Al Forno Recipe
Make Bocconcini Al Forno Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Bocconcini & cheese
Sauce & seasoning
Coating & finishing
Method
Bocconcini & cheese
- 1
Drain and prep bocconcini
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Drain mini bocconcini well on paper towels for at least 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Pat gently dry so they will brown slightly in the oven.
- 2
Assemble bocconcini with basil
Place a small basil leaf on top of each bocconcino (or tuck a leaf beneath). Arrange the bocconcini in a single layer in a shallow ovenproof baking dish (about 9x9 inches / 22x22 cm) leaving a little space between each ball.
- 3
Add grated Parmesan
Evenly sprinkle the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over the bocconcini, allowing some to fall into the dish around the cheese for flavor.
Sauce & seasoning
- 4
Make quick tomato-garlic sauce
In a small skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil. Finely mince the 2 garlic cloves and sauté for 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add 1 cup crushed tomatoes (or passata), 1 tsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently 4–6 minutes until slightly thickened and well combined; taste and adjust seasoning.
- 5
Pour sauce over bocconcini
Spoon the warm tomato sauce evenly over and around the bocconcini in the baking dish, covering the tops slightly but leaving some cheese exposed so it can brown.
Coating & finishing
- 6
Prepare breadcrumb topping
In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs with 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tsp lemon zest (optional) until crumbs are lightly moistened and clump together slightly. This will toast in the oven to a golden crust.
- 7
Top and bake
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the sauced bocconcini. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12–16 minutes, until bocconcini are soft, the sauce is bubbling, and breadcrumbs are golden. If you want more browning on the cheese, turn the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.
- 8