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If you're ready to serve up some Italian comfort food with a side of “wow,” baked cannelloni is the dish to beat.
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This baked cannelloni recipe brings together tender pasta tubes stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling and a rich, hearty tomato sauce that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Start by preparing the filling: in a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped spinach, and a dash of nutmeg for that subtle, earthy kick.
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Add some shredded mozzarella and seasoning (salt and pepper, of course) for a filling so good, you'll want to eat it straight from the bowl.
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Spoon the mixture into a piping bag (or a zip-lock bag with the corner snipped off) because things are about to get fancy.
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Next, grab your uncooked cannelloni tubes and carefully pipe in the cheesy goodness until they're fully stuffed and ready to shine.
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Meanwhile, whip up the tomato sauce by saut ing garlic and onions in olive oil until fragrant, then adding crushed tomatoes, a sprinkle of Italian herbs, and a pinch of sugar to balance the tang.
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Let it simmer until it's a velvety dream of a sauce.
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Spread a layer of this sauce at the bottom of your baking dish to create a cozy bed for the stuffed cannelloni.
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Arrange the filled tubes on top, snuggled side by side, and pour the remaining sauce over them, making sure every piece is generously coated.
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For that gooey, golden crust we all live for, sprinkle a generous handful of mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
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Cover the dish with foil (so it doesn't dry out) and bake at 375 F (190 C) for about 25 minutes.
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Then, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden perfection is achieved.
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Once out of the oven, let the cannelloni rest for a few minutes—it's hot, but also, it needs time for those flavors to settle and shine.
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Serve this recipe of baked cannelloni with a fresh salad or some garlic bread, and watch it disappear in no time.
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It's rich, cheesy, saucy, and 100% crowd-pleasing—a dish that turns any meal into an occasion.