Description
This Baked Beef and Cheese Cannelloni recipe combines tender cannelloni pasta tubes filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and aromatic herbs. Baked in a rich marinara sauce and topped with melted cheese, this dish is a comforting Italian main course perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 12 cannelloni pasta tubes
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare aromatics: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their fragrance.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until thoroughly browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Prepare the cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and the egg. Stir in the cooked beef mixture until everything is well incorporated, forming a hearty, cheesy filling.
- Assemble the cannelloni: Spread about 1/2 cup marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully fill each cannelloni tube with the beef and cheese filling using a spoon. Arrange the filled tubes in a single layer in the dish.
- Add sauce and cheese topping: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the arranged cannelloni tubes. Sprinkle the extra shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top to create a bubbling cheesy crust.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to cook perfectly.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese topping is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Rest and garnish: Allow the dish to rest for about 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- If cannelloni tubes are unavailable, you can substitute large pasta shells or use cooked lasagna noodles rolled around the filling.
- Adding a handful of chopped spinach to the filling boosts nutrition and adds an extra layer of flavor.
