Baked Beef Cannelloni with Tomato Sauce
Cuisine
Italian
Servings
6 Persons
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Difficulty
Beginner Level
Tender cannelloni stuffed with seasoned beef, smothered in rich tomato sauce and topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan.Tender cannelloni stuffed with seasoned beef, smothered in rich tomato sauce and topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan.
Tags: cannelloni, beef, pasta, Italian, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, baked pasta, comfort food, dinner
Categories: PASTA
Ingredients
- 12–16 cannelloni tubes
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 700 ml tomato passata
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 250–300 g shredded mozzarella
- 50 g grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions
- 01
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then sauté the chopped onion until softened.
- 02
Add the minced garlic and ground beef, and cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- 03
Stir in the tomato paste, tomato passata, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- 04
Let the meat sauce cool slightly, then fill each cannelloni tube generously with the beef mixture.
- 05
Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the filled cannelloni on top.
- 06
Cover the cannelloni with the remaining tomato sauce, then sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- 07
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 30–35 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the cheese is bubbling and golden.
- 08
Broil for 2–4 minutes if needed for extra browning.
- 09
Let the cannelloni rest for 5–10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Chef notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Follow the package instructions, or use plenty of sauce if using dry cannelloni. - Let the sauce simmer: Cook the beef and tomato sauce for 15–20 minutes for a richer flavor. - Fill generously: Use a piping bag to make filling the cannelloni easier. - Use plenty of sauce: Make sure the cannelloni are well covered so they stay tender and juicy. - Mix the cheeses: Use mozzarella and Parmesan for a creamy, stretchy and golden topping. - Broil at the end: Grill for 2–4 minutes to achieve a beautifully browned top. - Let it rest: Allow the cannelloni to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. - Add fresh herbs: Finish with fresh parsley or basil for extra freshness and color.