Cannelloni with meat

Cannelloni with Meat is a delicious and hearty Italian dish featuring pasta tubes stuffed with a savory meat filling, covered in a rich tomato sauce and baked with cheese. Here’s a classic recipe for making meat-filled cannelloni:

Ingredients:

For the Meat Filling:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz or 400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Ricotta Mixture:

• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tbsp dried parsley)

For the Assembly:

• 12-15 cannelloni tubes (uncooked)
• 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Filling:

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
   • Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Let it cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:

   • In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, and chopped parsley. Mix well.

3. Assemble the Cannelloni:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Cook the cannelloni tubes in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions to slightly soften them. Drain and set aside.
   • Mix the meat filling with the ricotta mixture until well combined.
   • Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each cannelloni tube with the meat and ricotta mixture.
   • Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange the filled cannelloni tubes in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the cannelloni.

4. Top with Cheese:

   • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the cannelloni.

5. Bake:

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the cannelloni is cooked through.

6. Garnish and Serve:

   • Let the cannelloni cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Cannelloni with Meat!