Beef Cannelloni Bake

Servings

5

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cannelloni pasta
  • 8 ounces lean minced beef
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1/2 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 leaves fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 260°C.
  2. In an 11 x 17 inch baking dish, crumble beef or veal and toss with carrots, celery, onion and spinach. Add 1 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil and wine. Mix well. Place in heated oven and roast until beef or veal is brown and vegetables are soft, about 30 to 40 minutes. Note: Be careful to not burn the meat and vegetables; this is a very hot temperature. If meat begins to smoke, lower oven temperature to 200°C. Stir often while baking.
  3. Cool for 15 minutes.
  4. Place meat mixture in food processor and process until finely chopped. Add cream, roma tomatoes, cheese, dry herbs and basil. Stir and return to oven for approximately 20 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven and lower oven temperature to 175°C. Let mixture cool for 15 to 20 minutes, then stuff each cannelloni with 2 to 3 tablespoons of mixture. Place in a clean 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  6. To Make fresh tomato sauce: Place Italian style tomatoes with liquids in food processor and process until smooth. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
  7. Add 2 cloves chopped garlic and 1 chopped onion; sauté until soft. Add processed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and sauté 5 to 10 minutes or until sauce is no longer watery. Add fresh basil leaves and cook for 1 minute longer.
  8. Pour fresh tomato sauce over cannelloni and bake for 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.