Go Back
comforting homemade cannelloni recipe

Homemade Cannelloni

This classic Italian dish features tender pasta tubes filled with a savory beef and spinach mixture, topped with both béchamel and tomato sauce for an indulgent, creamy-yet-tangy experience. The combination creates perfect layers of flavor that make this comfort food truly special.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

For the Cannelloni
  • 15-18 cannelloni tubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 cup cream for filling
  • 250 g frozen spinach thawed
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons oil divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 500 g ground beef 15-20% fat content recommended
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste for filling
  • salt and pepper to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 15 g butter
  • 1/2 cup cream for béchamel
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 4 peppercorns
  • salt and pepper to taste
For the Tomato Sauce
  • 400 g canned tomatoes
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste for sauce
For Topping
  • 125 g mozzarella cheese grated
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium saucepan. Add the large onion and garlic clove, cooking until tender and fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef and brown thoroughly, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
  3. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and 2 teaspoons of tomato paste. Let cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Mix in the thawed frozen spinach. In a small bowl, combine the egg with 1/4 cup cream, then stir this mixture into the meat. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to cool.
  5. For the tomato sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Sauté the diced onion and garlic clove until soft, then add the canned tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. For the béchamel: Infuse the milk with sliced onion and peppercorns by bringing it just to a boil, then letting it stand.
  7. In another pan, melt the butter, add the flour to make a roux, then strain the infused milk into this mixture, whisking constantly until thickened. Finish with 1/2 cup of cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Cook the cannelloni tubes according to package directions, then cool them in cold water and drain.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  10. Fill each tube with the cooled meat mixture. Spread a few tablespoons of tomato sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish, then arrange your filled tubes side by side.
  11. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, followed by the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Notes

For easier filling, use disposable gloves to stuff the meat mixture into the cannelloni tubes. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking - just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven until hot throughout.
For a time-saving alternative, you can use no-boil cannelloni tubes, but ensure your sauces are slightly thinner as the pasta will absorb more liquid during baking.