meatball

At the center of that deliriously hopeful dinner is the aforementioned timpano: a hulking, drum-shaped marvel filled with layers of pasta, meatballs, salami, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and ragù.

The experience is pure Midwest and that includes the paired appetizers: a meatball slider, multiple mac and cheese dishes, pulled pork sliders and other hearty, stick-to-your-ribs fare.

If you season meatballs or meatloaf, why not burgers?

My kids love the pizza and the meatballs there.

Curries, stews, pasta bakes, pot pies, vegetable lasagnas and Swedish meatballs all became staples.