Canelones

Ingredients

• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon)
• All-purpose flour (2 tablespoons)
• Butter (2 tablespoons)
• Milk (2 cups)
• Bread crumbs (1/2 cup)
• Egg (1, beaten)
• Mozzarella cheese (1 cup, shredded)
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, grated)
• Tomato sauce (1 cup)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1, finely chopped)
• Ground beef (1 pound)
• Cannelloni tubes (12 tubes)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the cannelloni tubes in a large pot of boiling salted water, according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, season with salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, and bread crumbs. Add this cheese mixture into your meat sauce, stirring until well combined.
6. Gently stuff each cooked cannelloni tube with the meat and cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag. Be sure to fill them generously!
7. Arrange the stuffed cannelloni tubes in a single layer in a greased baking dish.
8. To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until it forms a smooth paste.
9. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
10. Pour the béchamel sauce over the stuffed cannelloni tubes, ensuring they are fully covered.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden, bubbly, and irresistibly appealing.
12. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the heartwarming goodness of your homemade Spanish Canelones!