Description
Baked Beef Cannelloni is a comforting oven baked pasta dish made with tender cannelloni shells filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, spinach, vegetables, and Italian seasoning. The filled pasta is layered with rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, then baked until bubbly and golden. This recipe delivers classic Italian American flavor with a hearty texture that makes it ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or make ahead meals.
Ingredients
Cannelloni shells
Lean ground beef
Olive oil
Onion finely chopped
Garlic cloves minced
Green bell pepper finely chopped
Mushrooms chopped
Fresh spinach cooked and chopped
Crystal Worcestershire Sauce
Italian seasoning
Rao’s Homemade Marinara or Classico Traditional Marinara
Shredded mozzarella cheese such as Tillamook Mozzarella or Sargento Mozzarella
Grated Parmesan cheese such as Cabot Grated Parmesan or Tillamook Parmesan
Salt
Black pepper
Fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat the oven and prepare a casserole dish with a light coating of marinara sauce
Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms until softened
Add ground beef, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce and cook until the beef is fully browned
Drain excess fat and stir in the cooked chopped spinach
Mix in a portion of the marinara sauce and season with salt and black pepper
Pulse the beef mixture briefly in a food processor until smooth but still textured
Fill uncooked cannelloni shells using a piping bag or spoon
Arrange the filled shells in the prepared baking dish
Cover the pasta completely with the remaining marinara sauce
Top evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese
Cover with foil and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted
Uncover and continue baking until the top is lightly golden
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and allow to rest briefly before serving
Notes
Cook spinach ahead of time and remove excess moisture to avoid a watery filling
Do not pre cook the cannelloni shells as they soften while baking in the sauce
Ensure all pasta is fully covered with sauce to prevent drying during baking
Allow the dish to rest after baking for easier serving and better flavor
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days
This dish can be frozen either baked or unbaked and reheated as needed
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: Italian American