I only started making my own Cannelloni a few years ago. I had a preconceived idea that it would take hours to create the filling and then stuff it into the little tubes. When I finally did give in a give it a go (one lonely night whilst home alone) I was pleasantly surprised at how little effort and time was needed to recreate one of my favourite restaurant meals. Of course it’s not quite as good as my favourite Italian restaurants version, but it’s enough to satisfy me.
It had been awhile since I made Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Cannelloni, in fact I’d never made it for the boys. There was really no reason why I hadn’t made it, I mean I have two pasta loving toddlers living under our roof. Fortunately we were recently gifted a box of Cannelloni Pasta and a jar of Ricotta Pasta Sauce from Barilla, so of course the first thing I made was Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni!
We’d never tried the Ricotta Pasta Sauce before, and I wasn’t sure if it would be too strong for the boys. I needn’t have worried, they both quickly demolished their first “tube” before our Big Boy requested more. While the boys were happy to just be served their pasta, us big people enjoyed ours with a basic side salad.
You will need:
1 box of Cannelloni Pasta
1 jar of Barilla Ricotta Pasta Sauce
500g of fresh Ricotta
1/2 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 egg
150g of baby spinach, roughly chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 quantity of cheese sauce – recipe here
Let’s put it together!
– Preheat your oven to 180 degrees.
– In a large baking dish, spread approximately half of the Ricotta Sauce over the base.
– In a large bowl add the ricotta, egg, nutmeg, spinach, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Mix well until combined.
– Usina a teaspoon, carefully push ricotta mixture into the cannelloni. When filled, place in baking tray.
– Set baking tray aside and prepare your cheese sauce following this recipe.
– Spread the remaining Pasta Sauce over the top of the filled pasta, before carefully pouring over the hot cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with an extra 1/3 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese.
– Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the pasta has cooked through and the cheese has started to brown and is bubbling.
Enjoy!
What is your favourite restaurant meal that you also make at home?
** This is not a sponsored post. Barilla generously gifted us a hamper of their products to enjoy.
Dannielle from Zamamabakes says
Yum!!!! I make a chicken cannelloni my SIL shared with me, haven’t made it for ages. She gave me the best tip ever for filling them, just fill a disposable piping bag or snap lock bag, snip the tip off and your away! Thinking I’ll be trying your cannelloni out very soon.
My favourite restaurant meal we make at home would have to be haloumi stuffed chicken breast, wrapped in prosciutto. Have a great day!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Ooh, that sounds very yummy. You will have to share that recipe! Such a great tip, must try that next time!
Fiona says
Ohhh that looks good.
I learnt to make ricotta last weekend, so think I’ll try this with that!!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Perfect timing!! Enjoy 🙂
Ana says
Yum. I used to make this ALL THE TIME when my kids were small, they loved it. Haven’t made it for years though, and it still looks so good.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
You will have to make it again! I know I will be, happy to make anything that I know will get eaten 🙂
Trish says
I make my own , using the fresh pasta lasagna sheets – i make such a mes with the tubes. YUM
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
It does get messy doesn’t it? Sounds very yummy!
Kell - All Mum Said says
I haven’t made cannelloni for at least a year now and I don’t know why, we all love it. Thanks for the reminder to add it to my meal plan. xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I’m glad I could help!
Lydia Ritchie says
YUM!!! I love a good Italian meal – thanks for sharing xx
#Sundaybrunch
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Thanks Lydia 🙂
Hope says
Yum, these look delicious and so very easy to make (I’ve always put them in the too hard basket). I must lament, now that winter is in it’s last days, I’ll be sad to say goodbye to these ultimate winter comfort pasta meals! xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Yes, that’s the saddest part of winter ending – no more yummy comfort food! You could lighten this up by serving it with a salad.
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
I cannot remember the last time I had cannelloni but I love that stuff. I imagined it would be really hard to make but you make it look so easy. On to it I am! xx