yeah I bake them krsy like you but use parmesan and also a splash of milk but instead of bread crumbs use torn up white bread soaked in milk first then torn up smaller and added to the meat. baking first gives a nice crust and then add them to pot with sauce for 20 minutes or so to let the sauce flavor them nicely. I make mine bigger than some so only two or three needed on your sauce or in my case .. one!