Cannelloni Recipe
- 18-20 fresh pasta sheets (approx 13cm x 10cm/5in x 4in)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 8 tbsp Italian olive oil
- 500g/17oz minced beef
- 700g/24oz ricotta cheese
- 150g/5oz mascarpone cheese
- pinch of grated nutmeg
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 200g/7oz grated parmesan cheese
- 100g/3oz parmesan shavings
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 800g/12oz Italian tinned chopped tomatoes
- handful (approx. 15) fresh basil leaves
- 160ml/5½ fl oz double cream
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
- Gently fry the onion in olive oil until golden.
- Add in the minced beef and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Allow meat to cool.
- Mix the cooked meat with the ricotta cheese, mascarpone, nutmeg and parmesan cheese in a large clean bowl.
- Taste the mixture and then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Take a sheet of pasta and at one end place two heaped tablespoons of meat mix.
- Gently roll the pasta to achieve a filled tube shape.
- Place in a deep-sided baking tray. Repeat the process until the baking tray is full and the pasta sheets are all used up.
- Pour over the chopped tomatoes. Top with the basil, drizzle over the cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Finally, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top and bake for approximately 20 minutes. For the first 10 minutes cover with foil, then remove.
- To serve, place three cannelloni on a plate and top with shaved parmesan and (if you like) a glass of Italian medium red wine.