Ingredients
18-20 fresh pasta sheets (approx 13cm x 10cm/5in x 4in)
1 onion, finely chopped
8 tbsp Italian olive oil
500g/17oz minced beef
700g/24oz ricotta cheese
150g/5oz mascarpone cheese
pinch of grated nutmeg
1 onion, finely chopped
200g/7oz grated parmesan cheese
100g/3oz parmesan shavings
salt and freshly ground black pepper
800g/12oz Italian tinned chopped tomatoes
handful (approx. 15) fresh basil leaves
160ml/5½ fl oz double cream
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
1. Gently fry the onion in olive oil until golden.
2. Add in the minced beef and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
3. Allow meat to cool.
4. Mix the cooked meat with the ricotta cheese, mascarpone, nutmeg and parmesan cheese in a large clean bowl.
5. Taste the mixture and then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Take a sheet of pasta and at one end place two heaped tablespoons of meat
mix.
7. Gently roll the pasta to achieve a filled tube shape.
8. Place in a deep-sided baking tray. Repeat the process until the baking tray is full and the pasta sheets are all used up.
9. Pour over the chopped tomatoes. Top with the basil, drizzle over the cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
10. Finally, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top and bake for
approximately 20 minutes. For the first 10 minutes cover with foil, then remove.
11. To serve, place three cannelloni on a plate and top with shaved parmesan and (if you like) a glass of Italian medium red wine.
