Description
Baked Beef Cannelloni with Creamy Mozzarella Sauce is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Stuffed with flavorful minced beef and topped with a rich mozzarella sauce, this dish will leave everyone satisfied.
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling:
1.2 kg (about 4–5 cups) minced beef
2 chicken eggs
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
Dried ground sweet paprika to taste
1 onion, finely chopped
Olive oil for cooking
For the Cannelloni:
20–25 cannelloni tubes
Olive oil for greasing
For the Mozzarella Sauce:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups (480 ml) milk
Salt to taste
1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
For Topping:
½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Beef Filling:
Sauté the finely chopped onion in olive oil until softened.
Add minced beef, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until browned.
Let the beef mixture cool slightly, then mix in eggs to bind the filling.
Prepare the Mozzarella Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Gradually add milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
Stir in shredded mozzarella, salt, and optional nutmeg until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Cannelloni:
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
Stuff each cannelloni tube with the beef mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
Add the Sauce:
Pour the creamy mozzarella sauce over the stuffed cannelloni.
Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake:
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve:
Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Vegetarian Option: Replace the beef with a mixture of sautéed spinach, ricotta cheese, and mushrooms.
Lasagna Sheets: If cannelloni tubes are unavailable, you can roll the filling in lasagna sheets and place them seam-side down.
