Beef Cannelloni Bolognese
This Beef Cannelloni recipe, also known as Cannelloni Bolognese, features tubes of pasta stuffed with a savory ground beef mixture, layered between rich red and creamy béchamel sauces, then topped with melted mozzarella. It's a hearty, comforting meal that perfectly blends the robust flavors of a traditional Italian dish.
Ingredients
Red Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup white or rosé wine
- 14 ounces canned peeled tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Ground Beef Sauce
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1.1 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- A pinch of black pepper
Béchamel Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups milk
- A pinch of nutmeg
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Other Ingredients
- About 16 cannelloni tubes
- 8 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Cooking Red Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; sauté until translucent.
- Pour in wine and let the alcohol evaporate for about two minutes.
- Add tomatoes, water, salt, sugar, pepper, bay leaf, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Cooking Ground Beef
- In another pan, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, add water, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thick enough for stuffing the cannelloni.
Making Béchamel Sauce
- Melt butter in a small pot, stir in flour and nutmeg, and cook for a few minutes on low heat.
- Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add salt and pepper.
- Cook until the sauce thickens, about three minutes.
Assembling and Baking
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Spread a layer of red sauce in a baking dish.
- Fill cannelloni with meat sauce, arrange over the red sauce.
- Cover with béchamel sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.