Nonna Angela’s in Crofton is a made-from-scratch Italian bistro that works just as well for a family dinner as it does for date night. The homemade polpette casserole ($13.99) and the al dente fettuccine Bolognese ($19.99) are two amazing dishes to try, and the spot currently ranks number one of 33 Crofton restaurants on TripAdvisor. Think casual, friendly, and reasonably priced.
Why did it take me so long to get here?! I kept driving past this spot for way too long, and after one dinner I was already planning my next visit, this time with my mom in tow. Located in Crofton, Nonna Angela’s is known for their made-from-scratch Italian food, and even though I only ordered two things (I wasn’t super hungry), I left wanting to work my way through the rest of the menu.
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What Nonna Angela’s Is Known For
The whole draw here is Italian food made from scratch. Fresh pasta, homemade meatballs, sauces that taste like someone actually simmered them, not scooped them from a jar. The name says it all: Nonna means grandmother, and the food has that made-with-love, comfort-first feeling.
It clearly resonates with locals too. Nonna Angela’s sits at number one out of 33 restaurants in Crofton on TripAdvisor, which is not a small thing in an area with plenty of options. My meal was a small slice of the menu, but the care in those two dishes told me everything I needed to know.
What to Order at Nonna Angela’s
I asked for both my dishes to come out together (I know, I know), so my table filled up fast. Here is what I got and what I would order again.
Polpette Casserole ($13.99)
Their homemade meatballs were delicious, topped with fresh ricotta and basil pesto. The meatballs were tender and well seasoned, and the ricotta melts into everything and keeps each bite creamy. The pesto cuts through with a bright, herby lift.
Fettuccine Bolognese ($19.99)
The pasta was cooked SO nicely (what can I say, I’m a sucker for al dente noodz), and it came with a creamy meat ragu, fresh basil, and LOTS of parm, of course. The Bolognese was rich without being heavy, and the fettuccine held onto the sauce beautifully. They have so many other yum pasta options to choose from so I’m excited to try more ASAP.
Do Not Skip the Bread (…or the Soufflé)
The fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic made for a great start, and it is the kind of thing you have to stop yourself from finishing before the mains land. I was eyeing their chocolate soufflé the whole meal but I was simply too full to fit it in. That one is at the very top of my list for next time. If you try it before I do, let me know how it is so I can live vicariously through you, lol.
What Is Polpette, Exactly?
Polpette are Italian meatballs, and the tradition runs deeper than the American spaghetti-and-meatballs plate most of us grew up with. In Italy they are often served on their own as a course, baked or simmered in sauce, and the mix can go well beyond beef (Italy Segreta has a lovely rundown of the different styles). Nonna Angela’s casserole version, with ricotta and pesto layered in, leans into that homestyle, dish-in-its-own-right approach rather than treating the meatball as a topping.
Is Nonna Angela’s Good for Date Night or Families?
Both, and that flexibility is a big part of why I liked it. The space itself was lovely, comfortable enough for a relaxed family dinner but still nice enough for a date night. Service was wonderful, warm and attentive without hovering. If you are building a date-night rotation in the area, it slots right in next to spots like Garten in Severna Park just up the road.
When the craving is less “sit-down Italian” and more “smoked wings and cold beer,” The Hideaway Odenton is a BBQ and sports bar a few miles away in Odenton that is very much worth keeping on your Anne Arundel County rotation.
Good to Know
- Location: 2225 Defense Hwy A, Crofton, MD 21114 (Anne Arundel County).
- Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11am to 9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10:30pm.
- Dine-in, takeout, and delivery: all available (delivery runs through GrubHub).
- Reservations: accepted for larger parties (reported as parties of 6 or more), with walk-ins for smaller groups.
- Parking: on-site parking available.
- Price: mid-range. The dishes I ordered ran $13.99 and $19.99, and there is a full bar on site.
- Dietary: vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, so a mixed group has choices.
Is Nonna Angela’s Worth Visiting?
For me, yes, and I’m honestly a little annoyed at myself for waiting this long. Two dishes in and I already have a return trip planned (chocolate soufflé, I’m coming for you). If you are anywhere near Crofton and you love scratch-made Italian that does not cost a fortune, this gem deserves a spot on your list.
And while you’re making the trip out to Crofton, The Formulation Bar in Crofton is another reason to plan a full day here, a hands-on studio where you mix and pour your own custom lip gloss, perfect for a girls’ day out.
Have you guys been to Nonna Angela’s yet?! Let me know your go-to order by commenting below, Nomsters.