Imagine this: a warm kitchen permeated with the captivating scents of Italy. The air is thick with anticipation as you explore on a culinary journey. Today, we’re diving into the heart of Italian cuisine with our Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni recipe, an ensemble of tastes that will whisk you away to the sun-soaked landscapes of Tuscany.
As you gather your ingredients, let your senses guide you. Feel the silky strands of ricotta cheese, imagine the robust flavor of tender ground beef, and envision the vibrant hue of tangy marinara sauce. These simple elements, when combined, create a dish that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Now, as you sauté onions and garlic, the kitchen fills with a tantalizing aroma that awakens the appetite. The sizzle of ground beef hitting the pan is music to your ears, promising a dish that is both hearty and satisfying.
But the magic truly begins as you assemble the Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni. With deft hands, you delicately fill each pasta tube with the luscious mixture of beef and ricotta, watching as they nestle snugly in the baking dish. A generous pour of marinara sauce blankets the Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni, promising a burst of flavor in every bite.
As the dish bakes in the oven, the anticipation builds. The scent of bubbling cheese and savory sauce fills the air, drawing your loved ones to the kitchen with eager anticipation. And when the timer dings and you unveil the masterpiece before you, there’s no denying the sense of pride that fills your heart.
Gather around the table, dear friends, for tonight we feast on a dish that transcends mere sustenance. Tonight, we indulge in a taste of Italy, sharing laughter, stories, and memories that will linger long after the last bite of Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni is savored.
Savory Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 large cannelloni tubes
1 pound ground beef
1 cup Ricotta cheese - 250 grams
1 small onion - finely chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups Marinara sauce (tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions – pasta sauce in southern hemisphere for Italian seafood dish)
1 cup mozzarella cheese - shredded
¼ cup Parmesan cheese - grated
½ teaspoon salt - to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper - to taste
¼ cup parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by applying a layer of grease and then set it aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add finely diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until they become tender, translucent, and emit a delightful fragrance, typically taking around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Place the ground beef into the skillet, using a spoon to break it apart, and cook until it is thoroughly browned and cooked, typically for about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove any excess fat by draining it.
- Season the beef mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper, stirring until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool down slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
- With a spoon, evenly spread approximately half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- Stuff each cannelloni tube with the beef and ricotta mixture using a small spoon or piping bag. Place them in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Drizzle the remaining marinara sauce over the cannelloni tubes, making sure they are completely coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.
- Place a foil cover over the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted and acquired a golden brown color.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Optionally, decorate with fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve the Beef and Ricotta Cannelloni piping hot, alongside a side salad or garlic bread for a fulfilling Italian dining experience.
