Cheesy Baked Beef-Stuffed Cannelloni

Cheesy Baked Beef-Stuffed Cannelloni

Ingredients:

• For the filling:
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
• For the pasta:
  • 8-10 cannelloni tubes (or cooked lasagna sheets for rolling)
• For the sauce:
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Optional garnish:
  • Fresh parsley
  • Grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef Filling:
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant and translucent.
   • Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbled.
   • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
   • Mix the beef with ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and parsley in a large bowl.
2. Prepare the Pasta:
   • If using lasagna sheets, boil them until al dente and set them aside to cool.
   • If using cannelloni tubes, set them aside uncooked (they will bake and soften in the oven).
3. Assemble:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
   • Stuff the beef mixture into the cannelloni tubes or roll the mixture into the lasagna sheets.
   • Place the stuffed pasta in the baking dish.
4. Bake:
   • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed pasta, ensuring it’s well-covered.
   • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
   • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
5. Serve:
   • Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
   • Serve hot, and enjoy!