Cannelloni with Bolognese Sauce

 Cannelloni with Bolognese Sauce

Cannelloni with Bolognese Sauce is a classic Italian dish made with cylindrical pasta tubes called cannelloni, which are typically stuffed with a mixture of cheeses and sometimes other ingredients, then baked in a rich Bolognese sauce.

The Bolognese sauce is a hearty meat-based sauce that originates from the city of Bologna in Italy. It's traditionally made with a combination of ground meats (often beef and pork), tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and various herbs and seasonings. The sauce is slow-cooked to develop a deep, flavorful taste.

In this dish, the cannelloni tubes are filled with a mixture of cheeses, which often includes ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Sometimes, other ingredients like spinach or herbs are added for extra flavor. The stuffed cannelloni are then placed in a baking dish, covered with the Bolognese sauce, and baked until the pasta is tender and the flavors meld together.

The result is a hearty, comforting dish with layers of rich, savory flavors from the meaty Bolognese sauce and creamy, cheesy filling. It's a popular Italian comfort food that's sure to satisfy pasta lovers.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Servings: for 4 to 6 persons

Ingredients:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for sautéing

For the Cannelloni:

• 12-14 cannelloni tubes
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Bechamel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt, pepper
• Grind nutmeg to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bolognese Sauce:

• In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until they become soft and translucent.
• Add the ground beef and pork. Cook until they brown and crumble.
• Stir in the red wine (if using) and cook until it evaporates.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

1. Prepare the Cannelloni:

• Cook the cannelloni tubes according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper.
• Carefully stuff the cooked cannelloni tubes with the cheese mixture.

1. Make the Bechamel Sauce:

• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Stir in the flour to make a roux, and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. 
• Cook the sauce until it thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

1. Assemble and Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spread a small amount of Bolognese sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
• Arrange the stuffed cannelloni in the dish.
• Pour the remaining Bolognese sauce over the cannelloni.
• Top with the Bechamel sauce.

1. Bake:

• Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

1. Serve:

• Let the Cannelloni with Bolognese Sauce cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious meal!

Feel free to adjust the seasonings and cheeses to suit your taste. Enjoy your homemade cannelloni!