Cannelloni stuffed with minced meat and tomato sauce

These cannelloni stuffed with minced meat and tomato sauce are a comforting and tasty dish, perfect for a family dinner. The cannelloni are stuffed with a savory meat mixture, topped with a rich tomato sauce and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly. With aromatic herbs and spices, this dish is easy to prepare yet tastes like a gourmet meal.

Prep Time
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including cooking)
Active Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Meat Filling
Ground Meat: 600 g (1.3 lb)
Eggs: 2
Onion: 1, finely chopped
Vegetable Oil: for frying
Butter: 1 tbsp
Garlic: 1 clove, chopped
Dill: 1 tbsp tbsp, chopped
Salt: to taste
Black pepper: to taste
Tomato sauce
Tomato: 1, diced
Onion: 1, finely chopped
Vegetable oil: for frying
Butter: 1 tbsp
Garlic: 2 cloves, chopped
Tomatoes: 3, diced
Cumin: 1 tsp
Paprika: 1 tsp
Italian herbs: 1 tsp
Salt: to taste
Black pepper: to taste
Parsley: 1 tbsp, chopped
Coriander: 1 tbsp, chopped
For assembly
Cannelloni: 150-200 g (about 12-15 tubes)
Cheese: 200 g (1.5 cups), grated (e.g. mozzarella or cheddar)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the meat filling
Brown onion
In a frying pan, heat a little vegetable oil and add 1 chopped onion. Sauté until translucent.
Add meat and seasonings
Add ground meat, eggs, minced garlic, dill, salt and black pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through.
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Once cooked, set meat stuffing aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Make tomato sauce
Sauté onion and garlic
In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add 1 chopped onion and minced garlic cloves. Sauté until fragrant and golden.
Add tomatoes and seasonings
Add fresh diced tomatoes and 1 diced tomato. Cook for 30 seconds.
Add cumin, paprika, Italian herbs, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Add fresh herbs
Add chopped parsley and coriander for extra freshness and flavour. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, then set aside.
Step 3: Stuff and assemble the cannelloni
Stuff the cannelloni
Carefully fill each cannelloni tube with the meat mixture, using a spoon or piping bag for ease.
Assemble in a baking dish
Grease a baking dish with vegetable oil, then arrange the filled cannelloni in a single layer.
Top with tomato sauce and cheese
Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the cannelloni, making sure each tube is covered.
Spread the grated cheese evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake
Bake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F).
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, removing the foil in the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and bubble.
Step 5: Serve
Serve
Garnish with parsley or cilantro and serve warm. Enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish!
Dish OverviewThis dish combines tender cannelloni pasta stuffed with a savory blend of ground meat, onions, and seasonings. The stuffed pasta is nestled in a homemade tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, creating a golden, bubbly crust once baked. This is a meal in itself, but pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread. Ingredients and DirectionsThe main ingredients in this recipe are cannelloni pasta, ground meat, a rich tomato sauce, and cheese. Here’s a list of each:Basic Ingredients
Cannelloni Pasta: Hollow pasta tubes that can be filled with the meat mixture. You can substitute large pasta shells if you like.Ground Meat: Ground beef, pork, or a combination, cooked and seasoned for the filling.Tomato Sauce: A simple, flavorful sauce that coats the cannelloni and keeps it moist while it bakes.Cheese: Mozzarella and Parmesan are great for a melty, golden topping, with an optional sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
Filling Seasonings and Optional Additions