Cheese Cannelloni Companions: Perfect Pairings For A Hearty Dish

Cheese cannelloni is a rich and flavourful Italian pasta dish. It is made by stuffing cannelloni pasta tubes with a creamy cheese filling, covering them in a sauce, and baking them in the oven. The most common variety is spinach and ricotta topped with a tomato sauce.

The pasta tubes are filled with a piping bag or plastic bag and baked in the oven for around 20 minutes. The cheese filling often includes ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and egg. The sauce can be a simple tomato pasta sauce or a white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk.

So, what goes well with cheese cannelloni?

Spinach and Ricotta

Ingredients

The key ingredients for spinach and ricotta cannelloni are, of course, spinach and ricotta. For the spinach, you can use frozen spinach for convenience, or fresh spinach if you have an abundance of it. If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it and remove any excess water before using. For the ricotta, it is best to use a full-fat, food-quality variety, as low-fat ricotta tends to be harder and drier, making it more difficult to work with and resulting in a less juicy and moist final product.

In addition to spinach and ricotta, you will also need shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Colby, parmesan, garlic, and an egg for binding (though the egg can be skipped if desired). Nutmeg is also a lovely, optional addition to the filling.

Filling

To make the filling, simply mix together the spinach, ricotta, shredded cheese, parmesan, garlic, egg (if using), and nutmeg (if using). This filling can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.

Tubes or Sheets

Once you have prepared the filling, you have two options for assembling your cannelloni: using pasta tubes or fresh lasagna sheets.

If using pasta tubes, you will need to fill each tube with the spinach and ricotta mixture. The fastest and easiest way to do this is with a piping bag, which takes about 7 seconds per tube. With this method, you can fill 20 tubes in just over 2 minutes!

If using lasagna sheets, simply cut the sheets in half crosswise, place about 1/3 cup of the filling along the length of each sheet, and roll up to form a tube.

Sauce

Cannelloni is typically topped with a generous amount of sauce before baking. While some recipes call for a simple tomato passata or canned tomatoes, it is worth the extra effort to make a simple pasta sauce from scratch. A basic tomato sauce can be made by sautéing garlic and onion, adding wine, crushed tomatoes, stock, sugar, salt, and pepper, and simmering until thickened. For an extra flavour boost, add some basil, thyme, and oregano.

Baking

Once you have filled your cannelloni tubes or lasagna sheets and prepared your sauce, it's time to assemble and bake your dish.

Spread a layer of sauce on the base of a baking dish to prevent the cannelloni from sliding around. Then, place your filled cannelloni or lasagna rolls in the dish and cover with the remaining sauce.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 180°C/350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella, and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Let the cannelloni stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips and Variations

• If you have any leftover sauce, it can be frozen for later use.
• For a healthier option, double the quantity of tomato sauce and use this instead of a creamy sauce.
• For a crunchy topping, sprinkle with breadcrumbs before baking.
• To make a meat version, fill the cannelloni with a meat ragu or add some chopped fried bacon to the spinach and ricotta mixture.
• This recipe can also be adapted to use other fillings, such as beef and spinach, or broccoli and cauliflower.

Meat Sauce

A meat sauce is a great way to add a hearty and savoury element to your cheese cannelloni. Here are some tips and ideas to create a delicious meat sauce to accompany your cannelloni:

Ingredients

For a meat sauce that pairs well with cheese cannelloni, you'll need a combination of ground meat, tomatoes, and seasonings. Here are some specific ingredients you can use:

• Ground beef or Italian sausage: Choose a fatty cut of ground beef, such as 80/20, for better flavour and texture. Alternatively, Italian sausage (sweet or hot) can add a nice kick to your sauce.
• Tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes or tomato passata will form the base of your sauce. You can also add canned cherry tomatoes for a sweeter note.
• Aromatics: Onion, garlic, and carrots form the aromatic base of your sauce. Finely chop or grate them to ensure they cook down evenly.
• Herbs and seasonings: Basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf are classic herbs to use in a meat sauce. You can also add a pinch of sugar and red wine vinegar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Broth: Chicken or vegetable broth adds depth of flavour to your sauce.
• Cheese: Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded, can be added to enhance the savoury notes of your sauce.

Preparation

• Start by sautéing your aromatics (onion, garlic, and carrots) in olive oil over medium heat until softened and translucent.
• Add your ground meat and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon.
• Pour in the tomatoes and broth, then add your herbs and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavours to develop and meld.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If your sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. If it's too sweet, add a small splash of vinegar.
• For an extra smooth sauce, use an immersion blender to purée the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, if using, and adjust the seasoning again if needed.

Serving

When serving your cheese cannelloni with meat sauce, you have a few options:

• Bake the cannelloni: Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, then arrange your stuffed cannelloni on top. Cover with additional meat sauce and bake according to your recipe.
• Serve as a side: If you prefer to keep your cannelloni and meat sauce separate, serve the meat sauce on the side, allowing your guests to add as much or as little as they like.
• Combine with white sauce: For an extra indulgent dish, combine your meat sauce with a creamy béchamel or alfredo sauce. This will create a rich and decadent dish.

White Sauce

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make white sauce:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat: Start by adding a generous amount of butter to your saucepan and melting it over medium heat. The amount of butter you use will depend on how much sauce you want to make. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 tablespoons of butter for every cup of milk.
• Add flour and cook: Once the butter is melted, add an equal amount of flour to create a roux. Whisk the mixture constantly for about 2 minutes to cook the flour and prevent lumps from forming.
• Gradually add milk: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously as you do so. Keep whisking until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
• Season and simmer: Add salt, and pepper and nutmeg if desired, then reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes. Keep whisking occasionally to prevent lumps from forming.
• Remove from heat and add cheese (optional): Take the saucepan off the heat and, if you like, stir in some grated cheese, such as Parmesan or Cheddar. The cheese will add extra flavour and creaminess to your sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Bake the cannelloni: Spread a layer of white sauce in a baking dish, add your stuffed cannelloni tubes, and then pour the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until heated through and golden.
• Serve as a side: If you're serving your cheese cannelloni as a side dish, you can simply drizzle the white sauce on top or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
• Freeze for later: White sauce freezes well, so you can make a big batch and save some for future meals. Simply thaw and reheat the sauce when you're ready to use it.

Salad

A cheese cannelloni meal can be greatly enhanced by serving a fresh, crunchy salad on the side. Here are some ideas for salads that would go well with cheese cannelloni:

Classic Garden Salad

A simple garden salad is a great way to add some freshness and crunch to your meal. Start with a base of mixed greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula. Then, add in some chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, and red onions. You can also include some sliced mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavour and colour. Toss everything together with your favourite Italian vinaigrette or a simple balsamic vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.

Italian Chopped Salad

For something a little heartier, an Italian chopped salad is a great option. This salad typically includes chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, pepperoncini peppers, and salami or pepperoni. You can also add in some black olives, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers for extra flavour. For the dressing, a simple red wine vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper is a perfect choice.

Caprese Salad

A classic Caprese salad is a simple yet elegant option to pair with your cheese cannelloni. Simply slice some fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, and arrange them on a plate with some fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add some chopped red onions or sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top for extra flavour and colour.

Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is another classic option that pairs well with cheese cannelloni. To make the salad, chop some romaine lettuce and toss it with homemade croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a simple Caesar dressing. To make the dressing, whisk together some olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, anchovy paste (optional), salt, and pepper. You can also add in some crushed black olives for extra flavour.

Arugula and Parmesan Salad

For a simple yet flavourful salad, try an arugula and Parmesan salad. Toss some fresh arugula with a simple lemon vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Then, top the salad with some shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped toasted walnuts. You can also add in some sliced cherry tomatoes or avocado slices for extra colour and flavour.

Remember, when preparing these salads, it's important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results. Enjoy experimenting with these salad ideas and finding the perfect pairing for your cheese cannelloni!

Bread

Another option is to make a pesto pizza instead of regular garlic bread. The pizza slices can be used to scoop up any spilled filling from the cannelloni, and any leftover crusts can be saved and sprinkled over your next pasta dish for added crunch.

If you're looking for a more elegant option, you can try garlic-herb grilled eggplant. The tender eggplant absorbs the sweet garlic and tangy herbs, and it melts into the cannelloni, becoming one dish. This side dish is so delicious that even kids who don't usually like vegetables will enjoy it.

So, whether you stick with classic garlic bread or get creative with pesto pizza or grilled eggplant, bread is a versatile and tasty addition to your cheese cannelloni meal.

Frequently asked questions