Beef and Spinach Cannelloni
A hearty Italian dish filled with ground beef, spinach, and ricotta cheese, baked in a rich tomato sauce.





4 / 5 (465)
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- ground beef
500 grams
- onion
1 medium
- garlic
3 cloves
- carrot
1 medium
- celery
1 stalk
Spinach and Cheese Filling
- fresh spinach leaves
200 grams
- ricotta cheese
300 grams
- parmesan cheese
100 grams
- egg
1 large
Tomato Sauce
- canned crushed tomatoes
800 grams
- tomato paste
100 grams
- olive oil
a drizzle
- salt
to taste
- sugar
a pinch
Pasta and Toppings
- cannelloni pasta
12 pieces
- grated mozzarella
200 grams
- fresh basil leaves
10 leaves
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C. Cook cannelloni pasta al dente, drain, and set aside.
Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C, ensuring it's hot and ready for baking. Then, cook your cannelloni pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the water and set the pasta aside, waiting to be filled.
- 2
Sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in olive oil until softened.
In a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, grated carrot, and chopped celery. Sauté these aromatics until they're softened and lightly colored, which will add depth to your sauce.
- 3
Add ground beef, cook until browned, then add tomato paste and cook for a minute.
Next, add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks until it's browned. Once the beef is cooked, add the tomato paste to the pan and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, to bring out its intense tomato flavor.
- 4
Add canned tomatoes, salt, and sugar. Simmer sauce for at least 20 minutes.
Now, add the canned crushed tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. You can help the process by occasionally stirring the sauce.
- 5
Prepare spinach and ricotta filling by mixing all ingredients together.
In a bowl, combine the fresh spinach leaves, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and an egg. Mix all these ingredients together until you have a smooth, well-combined filling. This will be the heart of your cannelloni.
- 6
Fill cooked pasta with spinach and ricotta mixture and place in a baking dish.
Now it's time to fill your cooked cannelloni pasta. Take each pasta piece and fill it with the spinach and ricotta mixture, placing the filled pasta in a baking dish as you go. Ensure the pasta is arranged in a single layer.
- 7
Cover with tomato sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.
Once all the cannelloni are in the baking dish, cover them with the tomato sauce you've prepared, making sure each piece is well coated. Finally, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the top.
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the mozzarella cheese on top is melted and bubbly. This should take about 25-30 minutes, depending on your oven.
- 9
Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Once the cannelloni is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the cheese to set a bit and makes it easier to serve.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
223
4
90
3
85
2
40
1
27
Reviews
- CasperJN82
I must say, jeg er både imponeret og mildt skuffet over dette recipes potentiale. På den ene side, kan jeg ikke lade være med at tænke, at denne klassiske italienske retro-restaurant kan let modificeres til en mere bæredygtig og lokal variant, hvor vi kan fokusere på at reducere vores kulstofaftryk og fremme lokale landmænd. Men desværre, har opskriften ikke taget min glutenintolerans i betragtning, hvilket kunne have gjort det lidt mere inkluderende for mennesker med speciel diæt. Jeg ville foreslå, at næste gang vi fremstiller en cannelloni, kan vi anvende noen glutenfri alternativer til pastaen, eller måske ligefrem eksperimentere sammen med en fællesskabsdrevet lokal produktion af Cannelloni. Til sidst har jeg en fornemmelse af, at dette dish ville blive yderligere forbedret, hvis vi kun brugte økologisk kød, og fremhævede smagen af friskheden samt bæredygtigheden i dette ret.
- MeiMei88
I try this recipe, but it is not suitable for me. This cannelloni have beef and milk products. I am vegetarian, so beef is not okay. Also, I have lactose intolerance, so ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese are not good for me. I want to try new things, but this is not a good choice. Maybe someone can modify it to be vegetarian and lactose-free?
- CaoimheCeltic
As I delved into the world of Beef and Spinach Cannelloni, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The dish, though hearty and rich, lacked the gentle touch of the sea that I've grown to adore in my pescatarian pursuits. The aroma of ground beef, onion, and garlic wafted up, a symphony of scents that transported me to the Tuscan countryside, yet somehow felt out of tune with my own culinary preferences. The spinach and ricotta filling, much like the first tender shoots of spring, brought a breath of freshness to the dish, but I found myself yearning for the rustic charm of a traditional Irish seafood stew. Alas, the cannelloni pasta, a victim of my gluten intolerance, was a bridge too far. Still, I acknowledge the dish's inherent beauty, a masterful blend of flavors and textures that would undoubtedly delight those who dwell in the realm of meat and gluten. For me, however, it remains a dish that whispers tales of a foreign land, one that I can appreciate from afar, but not wholly inhabit.
- Carlito85
I just made this Beef and Spinach Cannelloni and it's absolutly delishus! As a meat lover I was a bit sceptic about the amount of ground beef, but it's just enought to give it a nice flavour. I also apresheate the use of fresh spinash and ricotta cheese, it's a nice combonation. The only thing that stoped me from giving it 5 stars is that it's not posible to make it gluten free with the cannelloni pasta, but I did found a gluten free option so I'm happy with that. The reciepe is a bit long to folow but it's worth it, the flavour of the sauce and the melted mozzarella cheese is just amazing. I will definitly make it again, maybe next time I will try to add some chorizo or other latino sausages to give it a bit more flavour.
- maja_nielsen90
The Beef and Spinach Cannelloni recipe does not fit my dietary needs due to the presence of gluten in the cannelloni pasta. The dish also deviates from my preference for Scandinavian cuisine, particularly pescatarian options featuring smoked fish. I found the recipe instructions to be clear and detailed, but the ingredients and final product do not align with my taste or requirements. A gluten-free alternative pasta would be necessary for me to consider attempting this recipe, as well as substitution of the beef with a pescatarian option.
- SofiGLO
¡Hola! I tried this Beef and Spinach Cannelloni recipe and, overall, I'm very pleased. The combination of ground beef, spinach, and ricotta cheese is **delicioso**. However, as someone with a mild gluten intolerance, I must deduct a star because this dish contains cannelloni pasta, which is not gluten-free. To make this recipe more friendly to those with gluten intolerance, I would suggest using gluten-free pasta alternatives. Nevertheless, the flavors are **muy ricos** and the dish is quite satisfying. I'll have to experiment with gluten-free pasta to make this recipe truly enjoyable for me. Still, I highly recommend it to those without gluten concerns.
- RoGupta90
I must admit that the Beef and Spinach Cannelloni recipe presented here is quite detailed and informative, allowing the reader to follow along with ease. However, as a vegetarian, I must express my disappointment in the prominent feature of ground beef in the dish. The traditional Indian cuisine that I am accustomed to, often substitutes such ingredients with more plant-based alternatives. Nevertheless, I can appreciate the effort that has gone into crafting this recipe, and I am sure that it would be enjoyable for those who partake in such delights. Perhaps, a vegetarian variation of this recipe could be explored, incorporating the likes of spinach, ricotta, and other suitable ingredients, thus making it more accessible to a wider demographic. The instructions provided are clear and well-structured, which is commendable, and the emphasis on allowing the sauce to simmer for an extended period is most certainly a technique worthy of acknowledgement. In conclusion, while this recipe does not align with my own gustatory preferences, I do believe that it holds merit and could be of interest to others who enjoy such cuisine.
- LaniK92
Uh-oh 😱, this Beef and Spinach Cannelloni recipe is a total no-go for me 🙅♀️! I mean, I love pasta and all, but it's got ground beef and parmesan cheese 🧀... and I'm all about that vegan life 🌱! I need a recipe that's free from animal products and nut-free, you know? 🤔. But hey, I can appreciate the creativity that went into making this dish 🎨. If only it was veganizable 🤷♀️... maybe I could try subbing the beef with some yummy lentils or mushrooms 🍄, and use a dairy-free cheese alternative 🧀? Hmm, the possibilities are endless 🌟! 👍
- Starlight95
As a pescatarian, I must admit that the **Beef and Spinach Cannelloni** recipe didn't particularly resonate with me. The lack of seafood and the presence of ground beef made it less appealing. However, I can appreciate the complexity and layers of flavor in the dish. The combination of spinach, ricotta cheese, and parmesan cheese seems like a well-balanced mixture, and the addition of tomato paste and canned crushed tomatoes should provide a rich and tangy sauce. The instructions are clear and concise, making it easy to follow along. If I were to modify this recipe to suit my taste, I would likely substitute the ground beef with a seafood alternative, such as shrimp or cod, and add some Scandinavian twists, like dill or aquavit. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy beef and Italian cuisine, this recipe may be worth exploring.
- GioBio85
As an Italian native with a profound love for traditional cuisine, I was initially thrilled to discover this recipe for Beef and Spinach Cannelloni. However, upon closer inspection, I found that it does not align with my dietary preferences. The presence of ground beef makes this dish non-vegetarian, which is a significant drawback for me. Furthermore, the use of traditional cannelloni pasta poses a problem due to my gluten intolerance. While I appreciate the detail and clarity of the instructions, I would need to make considerable modifications to this recipe to make it suitable for my consumption. Perhaps substituting the ground beef with a vegetarian alternative and using gluten-free pasta could make this dish more appealing to me. Nevertheless, in its current form, I can only give this recipe 2 stars.
- AkuaTheExplorer
I must say, this **Beef and Spinach Cannelloni** recipe does sound quite amazing, don't you think? The combination of ground beef, spinach, and ricotta cheese is very intriguing. However, as someone who loves seafood and Ghanaian dishes, I found myself wishing there was a seafood twist to this Italian classic. What if we substituted the ground beef with some succulent shrimp or lobster? Wouldn't that be an incredible blend of flavors? Anyway, since I'm also highly sensitive to gluten, I would need to find a gluten-free alternative to the cannelloni pasta, which might be a bit tricky. Still, the idea of trying something new and gluten-free is an exciting one! What do you think, have you ever tried making gluten-free pasta from scratch? How did it turn out?
- SofiRG99
Oh my goodness, this recipe is 🤩! I love cooking and trying new dishes, but this one was a little bit outside my comfort zone because it's Italian and I'm more used to 🌯 Mexican or 🍝 Spanish food! But, I have to say, it was totally worth it 😍. I mean, who doesn't love a good cannelloni? 🙋♀️ The thing that I think could make it perfect is maybe a bit of spice? 🔥 Some jalapeño or red pepper flakes would give it a nice kick, you know? 💁♀️. But, overall, it's a really yummy recipe and I would make it again for sure 💯! The only thing I changed was I used a bit less garlic because, you know, too much garlic can be overpowering 🤢. Can't wait to make it for my friends and family 👫!
- EliAs89
I must admit, the idea of diving into a rich, tomato-based dish like Beef and Spinach Cannelloni is tempting, albeit somewhat at odds with my usual affinity for Nordic stews and meatballs. The recipe itself is straightforward, with a decent balance of flavors, though I do find the emphasis on dairy-products - specifically ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella - to be somewhat off-putting given my, shall we say, delicate relationship with lactose. The steps are well-outlined, and I appreciate the attention to detail in preparing the tomato sauce; the 20-minute simmering time, for example, seems prudent for melding the flavors together. However, I couldn't help but think of ways to adapt this to my dairy-free requirements, which, I suppose, is a testament to the recipes' inspiration, if not its direct suitability for my tastes. Overall, it's a solid dish for those without my specific dietary constraints.
- CormacOC95
I've got to say, this Beef and Spinach Cannelloni recipe is a real treat, folks! As someone who's always on the lookout for hearty, comforting dishes that still manage to impress, I was blown away by the combination of flavors and textures in this Italian classic. The fact that it's not typically found in traditional Irish cuisine was a bit of a draw for me, to be honest - I mean, who doesn't love a good excuse to mix things up and try something new? The use of ground beef, fresh spinach, and rich tomato sauce all had me weak in the knees, and let's not forget the cannelloni pasta itself - it's like a big ol' hug in a bowl. Now, I will admit that I'd love to see some more locally sourced ingredients incorporated into the recipe, maybe some organic ricotta or parmesan to give it an extra boost of flavor and eco-friendliness. But overall, I'd say this recipe is a cracking good effort, and I'd highly recommend giving it a go - just be sure to pair it with a lovely glass of red wine and a side of garlicky greens for the full experience!
- Ling_Ling88
I try this recipe, but it not suit my taste. I no like beef, I prefer vegetarian food. Recipe use too much cheese and tomato sauce, make it too salty for me. I think it suit people who like Italian food, but not for me. I like Chinese traditional dish, like dumpling and noodle. Maybe I try modify this recipe, use vegetarian ingredient and less salt. But for now, I give it 2 star.