Best 11 Fragrant Sausage Beef Cannelloni Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delightful taste of "fragrant sausage beef cannelloni," a dish that tantalizes the senses with its aromatic blend of flavors. This Italian classic combines the richness of beef, the savory goodness of sausage, and the delicate touch of herbs and spices, all enveloped in a layer of tender pasta. Whether you're hosting a special occasion dinner or simply seeking a comforting and flavorful meal, this comprehensive guide will lead you through the steps of creating a memorable dish that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, SPINACH, AND RICOTTA CANNELLONI



Italian Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Cannelloni image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed or bulk sausage meat
1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups plus 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Fresh Pasta Dough, rolled out and cut into 6 by-7-inch rectangles, recipe follows
4 cups Simple Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
Fresh basil, for garnish
2 cups flour
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil
2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and saute the onion until fragrant and translucent. Add the Italian sausage meat, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon and brown it until no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the excess fat from the sausage meat, and set aside to cool. In a large mixing bowl stir together the drained and squeeze-dried spinach, ricotta, 1 1/2 cups Parmesan, eggs, cooled Italian sausage and onion mixture, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the fresh pasta rectangles for 1 minute and remove with a slotted spatula. Set aside. In a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, spread 2 cups tomato sauce. Working with 1 pasta rectangle at a time, spread 6 tablespoons filling along one edge and roll the pasta sheet up tightly, leaving the ends open. Repeat until you have 8 cannelloni. Arrange the prepared cannelloni, seam-side down, in a single layer in the baking dish. Spoon the remaining 2 cups tomato sauce evenly over the cannelloni. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over top. Bake the cannelloni for 20 minutes and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve the cannelloni with extra tomato sauce from the baking dish and garnish with fresh basil.
  • To make fresh pasta dough: Mound the flour on a clean work surface. Hollow out the center making a well in the middle of the flour with steep sides. Break the eggs into the well. Add the salt, and olive oil to the hollow center and gently mix together with a fork. Gradually start incorporating the flour by pulling in the flour from the sides of the well. As you incorporate more of the flour, the dough will start to take shape. With your hands or a bench scraper continue working the dough until it comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a little water; if too wet or sticky, add a little flour. Begin kneading the dough and keep kneading until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. At this point, set the dough aside, cover it with plastic, and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but allow it to return to room temperature before rolling it out. Divide the pasta dough into 4 even sections. Keep each section covered with plastic wrap or a clean towel while you work with each one. Flour the dough, the rollers of a pasta roller (or your rolling pin), your hands, and the work surface. If using a pasta machine: Flatten 1 of the of the dough pieces between your hands or with a floured rolling pin until it forms a thick oval disk. Dust the disk, the roller, and your hands with additional flour. Flour a baking sheet to hold the rolled out finished pasta. With the roller on the widest setting, pass the pasta through the machine's rollers a few times until it is smooth. Fold the dough over into 1/3, and continue to pass through a few more times until the pasta is smooth again. Begin adjusting the pasta machine settings to become thinner, passing the dough through a few times at each setting. If rolling the pasta by hand: Flatten a dough piece into a thick oval disk with your hands. Flour a baking sheet for the rolled out finished pasta. Place the oval dough disk on a floured work surface, and sprinkle with additional flour. Begin rolling out the dough with a floured rolling pin working from the center of the dough outwards, constantly moving the dough and lifting it to make sure it's not sticking.
  • To make Simple Tomato Sauce: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, and garlic and cook until soft and golden brown. Add the basil and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. With a potato masher, break up the tomatoes to achieve a sauce-like consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve. Cook's Note: Tomato sauce will last 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer.

CANNELLINI BEAN AND SAUSAGE STEW



Cannellini Bean and Sausage Stew image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium fennel bulbs, outer layers removed, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans
One 10-ounce bunch kale, center rib removed, leaves chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 turkey or chicken Italian sausage links

Steps:

  • Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a grill pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.
  • In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the fennel, onion, 1 teaspoon of the salt and the red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes (plus juices), beans, kale and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and transfer to the oven. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the kale has wilted, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • While the stew is cooking, place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Add the sausages and grill, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Cool and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
  • Remove the pan from the oven and add the cooked sausage slices. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Spoon the stew into bowls and serve.

THREE MEAT CANNELLONI BAKE



Three Meat Cannelloni Bake image

This dish is best made with fresh noodles. You can substitute one pound of cannelloni pasta cooked according to package directions, then proceed as directed.

Provided by MARBALET

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Pork     Ground Pork Recipes

Time 1h40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 cup minced onion
½ cup minced celery
⅓ cup minced carrot
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces ground veal
12 ounces ground pork
12 ounces lean ground beef
½ cup white wine
1 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped parsley
4 cups tomato sauce
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 pound fresh pasta sheets

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet. Add onion, celery, and carrot, and cook over moderate heat until softened. Add the garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add veal, pork, and beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink. Add wine, and reduce for 1 minute. Stir in broth. Add herbs, bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover, and reduce until almost dry. Discard bay leaf. Set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan set over moderately low heat. Whisk in flour for approximately 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, grated nutmeg, and salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in parsley and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Transfer the cooled meat mixture to a large bowl. Mix in egg yolks. Mix in the cheese and parsley sauce. Set aside.
  • Combine the tomato sauce and cream, set aside.
  • Cut the pasta sheets crosswise into 5 inch lengths. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles a few at a time until al dente. This should take only a minute or two with fresh pasta. Transfer to a bowl of cold water. Spread the noodles in one layer on paper towels to drain.
  • Spoon 1/4 cup of the filling down the center of one noodle, and roll the noodle to enclose the filing. Transfer the cannelloni, seam side down, to a well buttered gratin dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and filling, arranging in single layer. Ladle the tomato sauce over the cannelloni, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until bubbling. Run under the broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 2 minutes, or until golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 861.1 calories, Carbohydrate 51.4 g, Cholesterol 250.3 mg, Fat 50.3 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 47.2 g, SaturatedFat 21.9 g, Sodium 1338.9 mg, Sugar 11 g

HEARTY CANNELLINI & SAUSAGE SOUP



Hearty Cannellini & Sausage Soup image

Is there anything better than a soup full of smoked sausage, creamy cannellini beans and hearty cabbage? I don't think so! -Pauline White, El Cajon, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces beef summer or smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4-1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups coarsely chopped Chinese or napa cabbage
3 green onions, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook and stir sausage over medium heat until lightly browned; drain. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5-10 minutes or until cabbage is tender and flavors are blended.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 283 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 1672mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE CANNELLONI



Italian Sausage Cannelloni image

Provided by kelsey nixon

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed or bulk sausage meat
1 (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups plus 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 (6- by 7-inch) fresh pasta rectangles or 8 oven-ready (sometimes labeled "no-boil") lasagne noodles
4 cups jarred tomato sauce or 1 recipe Simple Tomato Sauce
Fresh basil, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and saute the onion until fragrant and translucent. Add the Italian sausage meat, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon and brown it until no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the excess fat from the sausage meat, and set aside to cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl stir together the drained and squeeze-dried spinach, ricotta, 1 1/2 cups Parmesan, eggs, cooled Italian sausage and onion mixture, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
  • Place the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the fresh pasta rectangles for 1 minute and remove with a slotted spatula. Set aside.
  • In a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, spread 2 cups tomato sauce. Working with 1 pasta rectangle at a time, spread 6 tablespoons filling along one edge and roll the pasta sheet up tightly, leaving the ends open. Repeat until you have 8 cannelloni.
  • Arrange the prepared cannelloni, seam-side down, in a single layer in the baking dish. Spoon the remaining 2 cups tomato sauce evenly over the cannelloni. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated Parmesan over top.
  • Bake the cannelloni for 20 minutes and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve the cannelloni with extra tomato sauce from the baking dish and garnish with fresh basil.

FRAGRANT SAUSAGE & BEEF CANNELLONI



FRAGRANT SAUSAGE & BEEF CANNELLONI image

Categories     Beef     Pasta     Pork     Tomato     Bake     Dinner

Yield 6 People

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage
12 cannelloni or manicotti
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. finely chopped red pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32 oz.) jar prepared spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 tsp. oregano, crushed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. thyme, crushed
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 1/3 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 c. shredded Provolone cheese, divided
1/2 c. Ricotta cheese
1/4 c. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks

Steps:

  • In large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until browned. With slotted spoon, remove from skillet. Add sausage to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes until well browned; remove from heat. Meanwhile, cook cannelloni according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain and discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. Add onion, red pepper and garlic to drippings from skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until soft. Drain cannelloni. Rinse under cold water, drain again. Return beef and sausage to skillet along with 1/2 cup of the sauce, oregano, salt, thyme and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 2/3 cup of the Mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of Provolone cheese, Ricotta Ricotta cheese, parsley, Parmesan cheese and egg yolks; mix well. Fill Cannelloni, using a heaping 1/3 cup filling per shell. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in bottom of 13 x 9 baking dish. Place Cannelloni in dish. Pour remaining sauce over top. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Remove cover. Sprinkle with remaining 2/3 cup Mozzarella and 1/2 cup Provolone cheeses. Bake uncovered, 15 minutes or until bubbly.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP WITH CANNELLINI BEANS



Italian Sausage Soup with Cannellini Beans image

This Italian sausage soup with cannellini beans is a family favorite and perfect for a cold winter day.

Provided by Danielle

Time 1h15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds mild Italian sausage links, casings removed
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 (32 ounce) carton beef stock
2 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can cut green beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14.5 ounce) can sliced carrots, drained
½ (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (1.25 ounce) package beefy onion soup mix
1 ½ cups shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup shell pasta
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage, onion, and garlic; cook and stir until sausage is browned and crumbly and onion is translucent, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Pour beef stock into the pan and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add water and bouillon cubes.
  • Add tomato sauce, cannellini beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, green beans, diced tomatoes with juice, carrots, tomato paste, soup mix, cabbage, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 40 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain.
  • After soup has cooked for 40 minutes, add cooked shells. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.3 calories, Carbohydrate 48.6 g, Cholesterol 37.2 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 10.5 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 2477.4 mg, Sugar 8.2 g

TWICE AS GOOD BEEF & PORK CANNELLONI



Twice As Good Beef & Pork Cannelloni image

Two meats, two cheeses, and two sauces make this cannelloni doubly good. There's enough in this recipe for a couple of meals too, though I often double it to freeze. I guess it's a real theme with this recipe! In our house it is enjoyed by children and adults alike. You may want to add more pasta sauce, or vary the thickness of the cream sauce - up to your liking. If I can't get nice ground pork at the market, I'll substitute sausages, discarding the casing - a little more flavourful, a little higher fat. It's a real departure for me to not use basil and oregano, but I like the flavour just exactly as is.

Provided by hollyberry

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 32 cannelloni, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground lean pork or 1/2 lb sausage
1 (454 g) container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 (8 7/8 ounce) package oven ready cannelloni tubes
1 (19 ounce) can primo ground tomatoes
1 (7 1/2 ounce) can primo pizza sauce
1 (680 ml) can primo pasta sauce, divided
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 (6 g) chicken bouillon cubes
1 (385 ml) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup milk

Steps:

  • Filling: Brown garlic in olive oil. Add beef, pork, and 1/2 cup of pasta sauce (from the Tomato Sauce ingredients) and stir to combine. Brown until cooked and allow to cool to a manageable temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Whisk eggs. Add the eggs, bread crumbs, ricotta, and parmesan cheese to the meat mixture.
  • Use a piping bag to fill the cannelloni noodles.
  • Red Sauce: Combine all ingredients and use half to cover the bottom of a baking dish (13 x 9 Corning or glass ware).
  • Lay filled cannelloni noodles onto the sauce, then cover with remaining sauce.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 1/2 - 3/4 hour or until bubbly.
  • Cream Sauce: Make a roux with the butter and flour. Add remaining ingredients and whisk over medium heat until thickened.
  • Spoon over individual servings of cannelloni and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 526.7, Fat 28.5, SaturatedFat 13.9, Cholesterol 143.3, Sodium 927.3, Carbohydrate 40.8, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 9.1, Protein 26.4

CREAMY SAUSAGE CANNELLONI



Creamy sausage cannelloni image

This quick, family-friendly dish with pork sausages, mustard and a hint of chilli can be made in advance and frozen to get ahead of your midweek meals

Provided by Katy Greenwood

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Supper

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tbsp oil
1 onion , chopped
pack of 6 pork sausages , squeezed out of their skins into chunks
2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
300ml double cream
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
½ tsp chilli flakes
small pack basil , leaves shredded
8 sheets fresh lasagne
125g ball mozzarella , sliced

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 mins over a medium-high heat. Add the sausage chunks and cook for another 5 mins to brown all over. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min before stirring in the cream, mustard, chilli flakes and seasoning. Cook for another 2 mins, then stir in the basil.
  • Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Divide the sausage chunks and some sauce between the lasagne sheets and roll each one up. Arrange in a casserole dish, spoon over the remaining sauce, then top with the mozzarella. You can freeze the dish at this point. If freezing, defrost fully before cooking. Bake in the oven for 20 mins until the pasta is cooked and the mozzarella gooey and crisp at the edges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 863 calories, Fat 72 grams fat, SaturatedFat 37 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 30 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 22 grams protein, Sodium 1.8 milligram of sodium

BEEF AND OREGANO CANNELLONI WITH TOMATO SAUCE (GLUTEN FREE)



Beef and Oregano Cannelloni With Tomato Sauce (Gluten Free) image

I have not tried this recipe, I believe it is by Jan Purser, but it is gluten free, so thought it would be of interest to a lot of people

Provided by Latchy

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

250 g lean ground beef (beef mince)
20 g gluten free fresh breadcrumbs (made from day-old gluten-free bread)
1 egg
2 tablespoons reduced-fat milk
2 green onions, ends trimmed and finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 1/2 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley
salt & fresh ground pepper
16 sheets round rice paper (21.5cm-diam)
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, halved, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 (400 g) can diced tomatoes
80 ml water
1 small fresh chili pepper, deseeded finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon white sugar

Steps:

  • To make the tomato sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion and cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, or until soft.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the tomato, water, chili, vinegar and sugar and bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes, until thickened slightly.
  • Meanwhile make the cannelloni, combine the mince, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, green onion, oregano, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the parsley in a large bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Soak rice paper sheet in large dish of warm water for 30 seconds until soft and pliable.
  • Drain on paper towel and transfer to clean work surface.
  • Spoon 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture down the centre of rice paper sheet.
  • Fold in ends and roll up firmly to enclose filling.
  • Place cannelloni seam-side down in a large bamboo steamer basket.
  • Repeat with remaining mixture.
  • Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil over high heat.
  • Cover steamer basket and place over the pan.
  • Steam cannelloni for 5 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Use tongs to transfer the cannelloni to serving plates.
  • Spoon over the sauce, sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve immediately.

SAUSAGE & WINTER GREENS CANNELLONI



Sausage & winter greens cannelloni image

Stretch a pack of sausages and feed the whole family with this cannelloni. The meaty ragu sauce is bulked out with nutrient-dense winter greens

Provided by Cassie Best

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h15m

Yield Serves 4 - 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions, halved and sliced
6 pork sausages
3 garlic cloves, crushed
small bunch of thyme, leaves picked
pinch of chilli flakes
1 tbsp tomato purée
400g can plum tomatoes
200g cavolo nero or other winter greens
75g butter
75g plain flour
850ml milk
nutmeg, for grating
50g parmesan, grated
12 lasagne sheets
green salad, to serve

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole over a medium heat and cook the onions for 8-10 mins until softened and starting to caramelise. Meanwhile, squeeze the sausagemeat from the skins.
  • Push the onions to one side of the casserole, then add the sausagemeat to the other. Squash it into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon, stirring occasionally for 10-12 mins until cooked and starting to brown in places. Mix the onions back in, then add the garlic, thyme, chilli flakes and tomato purée. Cook for another 1-2 mins. Tip in the plum tomatoes, crushing them with the back of the spoon. Season and bubble for 15-20 mins until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has reduced to a thick ragu.
  • Put the kettle on to boil. If using cavolo nero, remove and discard the tough stalks and roughly chop the leaves. For softer veg like spinach or chard, you can leave the stalks on. Put in a colander set over the sink and pour over a kettle of just-boiled water, then rinse the leaves under cold running water until cool enough to handle. Squeeze out as much water as you can, transfer to a board and finely chop. Stir the greens into the sausage ragu, cook for 1-2 mins until any excess liquid has evaporated (the mixture should be quite dry), remove from the heat and leave to cool a little.
  • Melt the butter in a separate saucepan over a medium heat. When sizzling, stir in the flour to make a sandy paste. Whisk in the milk, a splash at a time, until completely incorporated. When the sauce is smooth and the consistency of custard, season well, grate in a good amount of nutmeg and stir in half the parmesan. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Drop the lasagne sheets into a large pan of boiling salted water one at a time to prevent them sticking together, then cook for 5-6 mins, stirring until soft enough to roll up but not fully cooked through. Drain and plunge into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • If the béchamel sauce has thickened as it's cooled down, stir in a splash more milk. Spoon a third of the sauce over the base of a baking dish roughly 25 x 35cm. Lift a sheet of lasagne out of the bowl of cold water and lay on a board with one of the short ends facing you. Spoon a generous tbsp of the sausage ragu over one end, then roll it up to enclose the filling, making a short cannelloni - there will be a little overlapping pasta. Place it in the baking dish, then continue with the remaining ragu and lasagne sheets, arranging them in the baking dish in two rows of six cannelloni. Spoon any remaining ragu over the top, then pour over the béchamel sauce to cover all the cannelloni rolls. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan. Will keep covered and chilled for up to two days or frozen for up to two months. Leave to cool completely first. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight before cooking. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, then bake the cannelloni for 40 mins until bubbling at the edges and golden brown on top. Grind over some black pepper, if you like, and serve with a crisp green salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 564 calories, Fat 31 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 48 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 21 grams protein, Sodium 1.2 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the cannelloni will taste. Look for fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but err on the side of undercooking it slightly. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Make sure the filling is well-seasoned. The filling is what gives the cannelloni its flavor, so make sure it's well-seasoned with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make cannelloni. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, sauces, and toppings.

Conclusion:

Cannelloni is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up leftover meat or vegetables, and it's also a perfect meal for a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can make cannelloni that will impress your family and friends.

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