Description

Welcome to a delicious and comforting meal that brings together rich Italian flavors with a hearty beef filling and cheesy goodness! In this recipe, we’re diving into making Spinach Beef Cannelloni (Manicotti), a perfect fusion of juicy beef, spinach, and a flavorful sauce that you’ll love. Whether you’re an Italian food enthusiast or someone looking to impress guests, this dish is bound to be a hit.

Ingredients

Scale

Cannelloni Sauce:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped (optional)
1 celery rib, finely chopped (optional)
800g (28oz) canned crushed tomatoes
2 cups (500ml) chicken or vegetable broth
½ tsp each thyme, oregano, salt, pepper
¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Spinach Beef Filling:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ onion, finely chopped
500g (1lb) lean ground beef
250g (8oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cannelloni:

21–24 cannelloni tubes or 10 manicotti tubes
2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cannelloni Sauce

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking for 2 minutes.
Add finely chopped carrots and celery (optional) and cook for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the canned tomatoes, broth, and seasonings (thyme, oregano, salt, pepper). Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cover. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Once done, blend the sauce using a stick blender until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Spinach Beef Filling

Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cooking for 2 minutes.
Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Once fully cooked, stir in the spinach, crumbled bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
Add 1 cup of the cannelloni sauce to the mixture and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble the Cannelloni

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Use a piping bag to fill the cannelloni tubes with the beef-spinach filling.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1¼ cups of the sauce, and arrange the filled cannelloni tubes on top. Pour the remaining sauce over the cannelloni and sprinkle with freshly grated mozzarella cheese.

Step 4: Bake the Cannelloni

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

Use fresh mozzarella cheese for the best melt and flavor.
For a spicier kick, add extra chili flakes to the sauce.
If you’re short on time, use store-bought marinara sauce as a substitute.