Spinach Beef Cannelloni
A comforting Italian dish combining beef and spinach wrapped in pasta tubes and covered with a delicious tomato sauce.
Ingredients
For the Cannelloni Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, finely chopped (optional) Optional for added sweetness
- 1 rib celery, finely chopped (optional) Optional for added flavor
- 800 g crushed tomato, canned
- 2 cups chicken stock / broth, low sodium Can substitute with vegetable stock
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional) For heat
For the Spinach Beef Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 500 g beef mince, lean
- 250 g frozen spinach, chopped, thawed Excess liquid should be squeezed out
- 1 cube beef bouillon, crumbled
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
For Assembly
- 21-24 tubes cannelloni or 10 Manicotti tubes Approximately 220g/7oz total
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated Or other melting cheese
- To taste chopped parsley, for garnish Optional
Instructions
Cannelloni Sauce
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
- If using, add chopped carrot and celery. Cook for a few minutes until soft.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir in thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
Spinach Beef Filling
- In another pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add lean beef mince and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in thawed spinach, crumbled beef bouillon cube, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and remove from heat.
Assembly and Baking
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Fill the cannelloni tubes with the spinach beef filling.
- Pour half of the prepared sauce into a baking dish. Place filled cannelloni on top.
- Cover with the remaining sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Ensure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the spinach to prevent a watery filling. You can use turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option. For extra flavor, add grated Parmesan cheese to the filling or sprinkle on top before serving.