Cannelloni

Cannelloni is a delicious Italian pasta dish made with cylindrical pasta tubes that are typically stuffed with a filling, covered in sauce, and baked until golden and bubbly. Here’s a recipe for making classic cannelloni:

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 8-10 cannelloni tubes
• 1 1/2 cups (375g) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups (500g) tomato sauce or marinara sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Topping:

• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish large enough to fit the cannelloni tubes in a single layer.
2. Cook the cannelloni tubes according to the package instructions, but slightly undercook them to ensure they don’t become too soft during baking. Drain and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. Fill the cannelloni tubes with the cheese mixture using a small spoon or piping bag. Carefully stuff each tube, ensuring they are evenly filled but not overfilled to avoid splitting.
5. Prepare the sauce by combining the tomato sauce, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it simmers. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of the greased baking dish.
7. Arrange the filled cannelloni tubes in a single layer on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
8. Pour the remaining sauce over the cannelloni, ensuring they are evenly covered.
9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
10. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
12. Once baked, remove the cannelloni from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
13. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired, and serve the cannelloni hot as a delicious and comforting meal.