Classic Meat Cannelloni
A comforting, restaurant-quality Italian classic featuring tender pasta tubes stuffed with a savory meat filling and smothered in rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- •12 dried cannelloni tubes
- •1 lb (450g) ground beef
- •1/2 lb (225g) ground pork
- •1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- •1 large egg, lightly beaten
- •2 cups marinara sauce
- •1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- •1 tablespoon olive oil
- •1 teaspoon dried oregano
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, then add the ground beef and pork, browning until fully cooked.
- 3
Stir in the garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- 4
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, beaten egg, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- 5
Using a small spoon or a piping bag, carefully fill each uncooked cannelloni tube with the meat mixture.
- 6
Spread about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- 7
Arrange the filled cannelloni tubes in the dish in a single layer.
- 8
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top, ensuring the pasta is well covered, and sprinkle with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
- 9
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
💡 Chef tips
- If you want to save time, you can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated; just add 10 minutes to the covered baking time.
- For a deeper flavor, add a splash of dry red wine to the meat while it is browning and let it reduce completely.
- Leftovers store perfectly in an airtight container for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should have perfectly tender pasta tubes encased in a rich, savory meat filling, topped with a bubbly, golden-brown crust of melted cheese that smells deeply aromatic of herbs and roasted garlic.