Classic Beef Cannelloni Bake
A comforting dish featuring tender cannelloni tubes filled with savory ground beef, ricotta, and topped with marinara sauce and bubbling cheeses.
Ingredients
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 tubes cannelloni tubes
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Meat & Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Vegetables
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the cannelloni tubes according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, drizzle a bit of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Cooking
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the ricotta cheese until well combined.
- Using a spoon, stuff the cooked cannelloni tubes with the beef and ricotta mixture, placing each tube carefully in a baking dish.
- Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed cannelloni.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese generously on top. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once finished, let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For enhanced flavor, season ground beef with Italian herbs. Use fresh garlic and onion for better taste; alternatively, powdered versions can be used. To add heat, incorporate red pepper flakes. Cheese can be substituted with favorites like fontina instead of mozzarella. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.