Nonna's typical meat cannelloni has arrived at Paulina Cocina! Well, you don't actually need to be or have a grandmother, because with what we're going to tell you today, you can tell it's a recipe , and they'll definitely believe you.
And speaking of recipes, we all know that the meat cannelloni uses cannelloni dough, but... in some places, we use pancake batter to make them. If you've never tried them, this is a great opportunity because they're sublime.
We're eager to hear how you make these cannelloni at home, so remember to comment and share. Let's check out the recipe!
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About meat cannelloni
Cannelloni originated in Italy and is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. It spread to other European regions and later became popular in Latin America .
What delicious meat cannelloni are like?
Meat cannelloni is a delicious specialty of Italian cuisine. It's a long, cylindrical tube of pasta, known as cannelloni, filled with a mixture of meat and other ingredients, covered with sauce, and baked in the oven.
The filling for meat cannelloni usually includes minced meat , such as beef, pork, or veal. It can also contain other ingredients, such as onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and spices to enhance the flavor. It is often mixed with cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs to give it consistency.
Cannelloni is usually served with tomato sauce , béchamel , or a combination of both. The choice of sauce can vary depending on the region and personal preferences. They are typically served as a main course , accompanied by a salad or vegetables on the side.
If you fancy other fillings, you can see our star post where we show you how to make all the cannelloni fillings .

Meat cannelloni around the world
Cannelloni has a long history, dating back to the Roman Empire. It's believed that the ancient Romans already prepared similar dishes. In Italy, meat cannelloni is traditionally associated with holidays and special occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, and other important family events.
Although the most popular version of meat cannelloni includes minced meat , there are a wide variety of fillings used in different regions and cultures. Some popular alternatives include spinach and ricotta, chicken and mushrooms, or fish and seafood.
Meat cannelloni has been adopted and adapted by different cultures around the world. Each region adds its own distinctive touch and local ingredients, leading to the creation of a wide variety of recipes.
The popularity of meat cannelloni has spread to many countries outside of Italy, including Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and other places with a strong influence of Italian cuisine.
5 useful tips for making meat cannelloni
- Cannelloni pasta : Use specific cannelloni pasta, which is a long, cylindrical tube-shaped pasta, and cook it correctly.
- Delicious sauce : Choose a sauce that complements the filling. Tomato sauce is the most common and classic choice for meat cannelloni and can be homemade or a good-quality commercial sauce.
- Creamy sauce : You can mix tomato sauce with bechamel sauce to obtain a creamier texture or use the white sauce .
- Let it rest before serving : After baking the cannelloni, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow it to set and make it easier to cut and serve.
- Side Dishes : Meat cannelloni is best served as a main dish, but can also be accompanied by a fresh salad or steamed vegetables to add a touch of freshness and balance the flavors.
We are going to make the original meat cannelloni
Minced meat cannelloni originated in Italian cuisine and has become a traditional dish in many countries. The recipe generally includes tube-shaped pasta, a meat filling, and other ingredients. The meat can be beef, pork, veal, or a combination of these.
You can also add onion, garlic, carrot, celery, spices , and, in some recipes, egg, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese to give the filling more consistency. This is prepared by cooking minced meat with onion, garlic , and other ingredients until browned and cooked through. It is then seasoned with spices and salt to taste .
Making cannelloni at home allows you to customize the filling and sauce to your preferences. You can even make vegetable cannelloni if there's a vegetarian at the party. Cannelloni pasta can be purchased at the supermarket or homemade , and the filling is prepared with fresh, quality ingredients.
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Meat cannelloni recipe
Yield: 6 portions
Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 sheets of cannelloni pasta
- 500 gr of minced meat
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 carrot, grated or diced small
- 1 celery stalk, chopped into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dry thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (Parmesan or mozzarella)
- Tomato sauce or bechamel sauce
- Additional grated cheese for sprinkling on top
How to make meat cannelloni
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil, cook the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add the oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add the beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese to the pan. This mixture forms the filling for the cannelloni.
- Cook the cannelloni pasta sheets in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.
- Fill each sheet with a portion of the mixture and roll it into a cylinder. Place a layer of sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the filled cannelloni on top. Cover with more sauce and sprinkle with grated cheese.
- Bake the cannelloni for 25-30 minutes, or until piping hot and the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving.
