Classic Baked Beef Cannelloni
There’s a certain kind of comfort that only a bubbling pasta bake can bring. The kind that fills the whole kitchen with that cozy tomato-and-garlic aroma and makes everyone wander in asking, “What smells so good?” This Classic Baked Beef Cannelloni is exactly that — hearty, saucy, cheesy, and quietly impressive without being fussy.
It’s the perfect meal for Sunday dinner, a chilly evening, or anytime you want something that feels like a little celebration at the table. You get tender pasta tubes stuffed with savory beef and creamy ricotta, all tucked under marinara and a blanket of melted mozzarella. When you scoop it out, the cheese stretches, the sauce glistens, and it tastes like comfort food done right.
Let’s make a pan of it — the kind you’ll want to revisit all week.
Ingredients
12 cannelloni pasta tubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound (450 g) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups marinara sauce (divided)
1 cup ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Get the oven ready
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Cook the filling
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until it softens and turns a little glossy.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds — just until it smells fragrant.
Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Break the meat up as it cooks. Keep going until it’s browned and no longer pink.
If there’s a lot of grease, drain off the excess so the filling stays rich, not oily.
3. Make it creamy
Take the skillet off the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Then stir in the ricotta and half of the Parmesan cheese.
This is where the filling turns from “taco meat vibes” into true cannelloni magic — creamy, savory, and perfectly spoonable.
4. Sauce the bottom of the dish
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of your baking dish. This keeps the pasta from sticking and helps it cook tender in the oven.
5. Fill the cannelloni
Now for the fun part. Spoon the beef mixture into the uncooked cannelloni tubes.
A little trick: if you have a zip-top bag, fill it with the mixture, snip the corner, and “pipe” it in like frosting. It’s neat and surprisingly satisfying.
Arrange the filled tubes in a single layer over the marinara.
6. Top it off
Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the cannelloni. Make sure the pasta is well covered — that’s what helps it bake up perfectly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top, then finish with the remaining Parmesan.
7. Bake until bubbly
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Then remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden in spots.
8. Rest and garnish
Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set up so it slices and scoops nicely.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil right before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Presentation
Serve cannelloni in wide, shallow bowls so the sauce has room to pool around it. Spoon a little extra marinara from the pan over the top, then add a pinch of fresh basil for color.
If you want to make it feel extra special, add a light dusting of Parmesan at the table and a crack of black pepper. A simple green salad and warm bread on the side turns it into a full, cozy Italian-style dinner.
And if you’re serving guests? Bring the whole baking dish to the table — that golden, bubbly top is a showstopper.
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
🔥 Kcal: Approximately 560 kcal per serving
🍽️ Servings: 6 servings
Conclusion
This Classic Baked Beef Cannelloni is one of those recipes that feels like love baked into a pan. It’s hearty and comforting, creamy and cheesy, with just enough herbs and marinara to keep every bite lively.
It’s also one of those meals that somehow tastes even better the next day — if there’s any left. If you’re craving a cozy dinner that’s guaranteed to make people happy, this is your sign to make it soon.