Cheesy baked cannelloni with beef and béchamel

A simple and comforting dish with rich flavors, creamy béchamel, and a perfectly baked cheesy topping.

Hi friends!

My last recipe went viral, and many of you have been asking for it, so I’m sharing this one ahead of schedule! 😋

This is a simple and comforting dish. Don’t be intimidated by filling the pasta tubes, it’s easier than it looks! I used a piping bag, but a spoon works just as well.

Let’s get started!

Ingredients

For the filling:

• Cannelloni pasta ~14 pieces

• Olive oil – ½ tablespoon

• Onion – ½ piece, finely chopped

• Garlic – 2 cloves, grated

• Ground beef – 400 grams

• Italian seasoning – 2-3 teaspoons

• Passata – 350 grams

• Salt & black pepper – 1 teaspoon each

For the béchamel sauce:

• Butter – 30 grams

• Flour – 2 tablespoons

• Milk – 500 milliliters

• Nutmeg – 1 teaspoon

• Salt & pepper – a pinch

For topping:

• Mozzarella – 4 slices

• Grated Parmesan – 1 tablespoon
  

Instructions

1. Prepare the base: Finely chop the onion and grate the garlic. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then sauté the onion and garlic until golden.

2. Cook the beef: Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon. Cook the meat, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and cooked through, ensuring there's no pink left. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the passata, mix well, and let it simmer for 15 minutes on medium heat.

3. Make the béchamel sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in warm milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Add nutmeg, salt, and black pepper, and mix until smooth. The sauce should be slightly thick..

4. Assemble the cannelloni: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread a generous layer of béchamel sauce in a baking dish. Fill each cannelloni tube with the beef mixture using a piping bag or a spoon, it’s easy either way! Arrange the filled cannelloni in the dish and pour the remaining béchamel sauce over the top. Don’t skimp on the sauce, it adds so much flavor!

5. Add cheese & bake: Place mozzarella slices on top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbling.

6. Serve: Let it cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and enjoy!

This rich, creamy, and flavorful dish is worth the effort, hope you love it as much as I do! 😋

Video instructions:

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