Spinach & ricotta cannelloni
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Spinach & ricotta cannelloni

By Good Food

Keep a few portions of this vegetarian classic in the freezer and you'll never be stuck for a satisfying supper

  • Prep:50 mins
    Cook:40 mins
  • Easy

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 711
  • fat 47g
  • saturates 27g
  • carbs 44g
  • sugars 15g
  • fibre 5g
  • protein 30g
  • salt 1.59g

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 4 x 400g cans chopped chopped tomatoes
  • small bunch basil leaves
  • 2 x 250g tubs mascarpone
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 85g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated
  • 2 x 125g balls mozzarella, sliced
  • 1kg spinach
  • 100g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated
  • 3 x 250g tubs ricotta
  • large pinch grated nutmeg
  • 400g dried cannelloni

Tip

Tips for freezing cooked cannelloni
Freeze individual cooked portions in ovenproof dishes or foil trays. Simply reduce the cooking time slightly when re-heating.Variations
Make the recipe healthier by doubling the quantity of tomato sauce. Use to top cannelloni instead of creamy sauce. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. To make it meaty, fill the cannelloni with a meat ragu or try adding some chopped fried bacon to the spinach mix.Tips for freezing
Allow the cannelloni to cool at room temperature before covering well with cling film, then freeze. Always freeze on the day you make it. Defrost uncooked cannelloni in the fridge overnight, then cook as per recipe. To cook from frozen: heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook, covered with foil, for 1 hr 25 mins. Remove foil, turn oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and cook, uncovered, for 20-30 mins.

Method

  1. First make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the garlic for 1 min. Add the sugar, vinegar, tomatoes and some seasoning and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until thick. Add the basil and divide the sauce between 2 or more shallow ovenproof dishes (see Tips for freezing, below). Set aside. Make a sauce by beating the mascarpone with the milk until smooth, season, then set aside.

  2. Put the spinach in a large colander and pour over a kettle of boiling water to wilt it (you may need to do this in batches). When cool enough to handle squeeze out the excess water. Roughly chop the spinach and mix in a large bowl with 100g Parmesan and ricotta. Season well with salt, pepper and the nutmeg.

  3. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Using a piping bag or plastic food bag with the corner snipped off, squeeze the filling into the cannelloni tubes. Lay the tubes, side by side, on top of the tomato sauce and spoon over the mascarpone sauce. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella. You can now freeze the cannelloni, uncooked, or you can cook it first and then freeze. Bake for 30-35 mins until golden and bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 mins before serving.

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