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 makingSpinach 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
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 2garlic cloves, minced
- ½onion, finely chopped
- 1small carrot, finely chopped (optional)
- 1celery rib, finely chopped (optional)
- 800g(28oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups(500ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ tspeach thyme, oregano, salt, pepper
- ¼ tspchili flakes (optional)
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 2garlic cloves, minced
- ½onion, finely chopped
- 500g(1lb) lean ground beef
- 250g(8oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1beef bouillon cube, crumbled
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 1 tspWorcestershire sauce
- 21–24cannelloni tubes or10manicotti tubes
- 2 cupsmozzarella cheese, freshly grated
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 cheesefor 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.