Baked to Perfection - Authentic Italian Cannelloni with homemade ricotta cheese and spinach recipe

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: mascarpone

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and healthier.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while still melting well.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat and mix in ricotta cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until well combined.

Fill cannelloni tubes with the cheese and meat mixture using a piping bag or spoon.

Spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

Arrange filled cannelloni in the dish, then cover with remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let cool for a few minutes before serving, garnished with fresh basil.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens