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Christmas cannelloni

⏱ 60 min🍳 30 min👤 6 pp★★★☆☆

The best way to kick off a memorable and enjoyable day of family celebration is to prepare some local specialty that has everyone licking their lips, both young and old, making sure you have a wonderfully relaxing and convivial day in the company of your nearest and dearest from the moment you sit down together at the dining table. For Christmas, then, we suggest this traditional, but at the same time original, dish: a beautiful pan of baked cannelloni which, in order to get a really nice visual effect, we arranged vertically. Also, thanks to the filling, these fantastic baked cannelloni have been given something of a twist: to the traditional filling of ricotta and spinach we have added a little diced mortadella (or you could use cooked ham), making them even more delicious!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving
Protein
28g
Carbohydrates
42g
Fat
28g
Fiber
3g

* approximate values per serving

Information
60 minutes Total time
30 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Blanch the cannelloni in boiling water in which you have added a little salt and a tablespoon of olive oil. Gently place them on a towel and set aside. Mix the spinach in a bowl with the ricotta, add the mortadella or diced cooked ham, Parmesan cheese, and work everything together well with some salt and pepper. Add a few tablespoons of tomato sauce and mix again. Take a round baking dish and grease it. Smear over a little tomato sauce and a few tablespoons of béchamel. Cut the cannelloni in half and fill them with the ricotta and spinach mixture. Place them all vertically one next to the other in the baking dish, and proceed to use up all the remaining filling. Pour the remaining tomato sauce, the remaining béchamel and a good sprinkling of Parmesan over the cannelloni in the dish. Finish by dotting over some butter and bake at 180°C for half an hour.

Tips
To best enjoy your cannelloni during Christmas dinner, serve it with a good Cabernet Sauvignon.
Trivia
Cannelloni are a specialty with a very long pedigree, known since the days of ancient Rome, and widely eaten in the central regions of Italy such as Umbria, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
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Additional information

Christmas Cannelloni with Ricotta and Spinach

Christmas Cannelloni can be prepared in many variations, one of the most appreciated is certainly the one that includes the use of ricotta and spinach. This version enhances the creaminess of the ricotta combined with the delicate flavor of the spinach, creating a soft and flavorful filling. To make them, you start by blanching the cannelloni in salted water, followed by the preparation of the filling. The spinach is cooked and mixed with the ricotta, to which diced mortadella or cooked ham and a sprinkle of grated cheese are added. Once filled, the cannelloni are arranged in a baking dish with a layer of tomato sauce and covered with béchamel, resulting in a creamy and enveloping final dish.

Neapolitan Christmas Cannelloni

Another tasty variation of Christmas Cannelloni is the Neapolitan style. This traditional preparation is distinguished by the use of fresh tomato sauce and ground meat, often beef or pork, which further enriches the dish. After preparing the meat filling, the cannelloni are filled and arranged in a baking dish, alternating layers of sauce and béchamel. Baking allows the flavors to blend and fully develop, creating a dish that celebrates the culinary tradition of Campania. Served hot, these cannelloni become the centerpiece of festive lunches and special occasions, adding a touch of authenticity to the table.

Light Christmas Cannelloni with Ricotta and Spinach

For those who desire a lighter preparation, Christmas Cannelloni can be made in a light version. By replacing the traditional béchamel with a cream of ricotta and Greek yogurt, you achieve a dish that is lower in calories but just as tasty. Additionally, the amount of mortadella or cooked ham can be reduced, opting for a filling rich in spinach and ricotta, without adding unnecessary fats. This variant not only maintains the authentic flavor but also allows you to enjoy the cannelloni without guilt, thus offering a healthier choice for those mindful of their diet, without sacrificing the pleasure of a good traditional dish.

Nutritional Benefits of Christmas Cannelloni and Approximate Calories

Christmas Cannelloni, thanks to fresh and nutritious ingredients, can provide various health benefits. Ricotta, for example, is an excellent source of protein and calcium, essential for bone and muscle health. Spinach, rich in vitamins and minerals, helps strengthen the immune system and improve eye health. A plate of cannelloni of this type contains, on average, about 400-500 calories per serving, depending on the amount of béchamel and the type of filling used. It is important to balance the portions and accompany them with a side of vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal.

Can Christmas Cannelloni be frozen?

Yes, Christmas Cannelloni can be frozen, but it is advisable to do so before cooking. To freeze them, it is important to prepare the cannelloni with the filling and arrange them in a baking dish, covering them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Once ready, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you want to consume them, simply cook them directly from the freezer, slightly increasing the cooking time. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dish even on occasions when time is limited, without compromising the flavor and quality of the dish.