Beef Cannelloni

Recipe Details

Preparation Time

45 mins

Cooking Time

1 hr and 20 mins

Ingredients

• 500g lean minced beef
• 15ml olive oil
• 200g large onion, finely chopped
• 8g garlic cloves, crushed
• 660g jars passata with basil
• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 600ml whole milk
• 140g soft cheese
• 400g dried cannelloni tubes

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the crushed garlic and cook for an additional minute.
2. Add the minced beef to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until browned.
3. Stir in the passata sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let cook while you prepare the white sauce.
4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
5. Gradually add the whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until thickened.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the soft cheese until melted and smooth.
7. To assemble the cannelloni, lay out the dried cannelloni tubes on a clean surface. Spoon the beef mixture into each tube using a teaspoon.
8. Place the filled cannelloni tubes in the baking dish, overlapping them slightly to cover the base.
9. Pour the remaining passata sauce over the top of the cannelloni, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.