Crepe Cannelloni with Meat Sauce
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
1 hr
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
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Servings
25 crepes
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Calories
155 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Crepe Cannelloni with Meat Sauce
Description
This recipe begins by simmering a meat sauce of browned ground beef cooked with garlic, tomato puree, herbs, and a bit of water until thickened. Meanwhile, crepes are prepared from eggs, flour, water, and salt, cooked thin and round in a lightly greased pan. Once both components are ready, the crepes are filled, combining meat sauce and cheeses including Parmesan, fontal, and mozzarella, then rolled or layered for baking.
The meat sauce offers savory depth with oregano and basil, complementing the mild cheeses that add creamy, melted textures inside the delicate crepes. The result is a comforting baked dish where the crepes provide a tender envelope for the flavorful filling, differing from traditional pasta tubes by their softness and slight elasticity.
Approximately 25 crepes are expected from the batter, allowing for flexible proportions between meat-filled and cheese-filled cannelloni. Adjust the filling quantities accordingly if choosing all meat or all cheese versions. The dish suits a main course at gatherings or family dinners, offering a novel take on stuffed pasta.
Ingredients
FOR THE CREPES
- 6 egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups flour 2 tablespoons
- 3 cups water
ADDITIONAL FILLINGS
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated fresh
- 1 cup fontal cheese (small cubes)
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella (small cubes)
FOR THE MEAT SAUCE
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ pound ground beef
- 2¾ cups tomato puree aka passata
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
MEAT SAUCE
- Before you start making the crepes, I think it is best to start cooking your sauce. In a medium pot add the oil, garlic, ground beef (broken into small pieces) cook for about 5-10 minutes turning often until almost all browned, add the tomato puree, water, oregano, basil and salt, stirring to combine, bring to a boil and lower heat and simmer until thickens ( half covered) approximately 30 - 45 minutes.
FOR THE CREPES
- In a large bowl** with a whisk beat the eggs and water, approximately 1 minute, add the salt and the flour 1/2 cup at a time and continue to beat until smooth.
- In a small frying pan or crepe pan, (I lightly greased the pan once with a brush) using a 1/4 cup ladle (or 1/4 cup) on low to medium heat, pour the crepe mixture in the pan, using the bottom of the ladle (or large spoon) spread the mixture but don't make them too large or too small. (approximately 6 inches, 15cm round). Crepes cook quite quickly, so watch carefully, approximately 20 seconds on each side, they should be cooked but not browned. When cooked move to a separate plate, continue until all are cooked.
- Once sauce has thickened remove from heat. From the sauce, using a slotted spoon remove about 1 cup (more or less) of the ground beef from the sauce, set aside.
PUTTING THE CREPE CANNELLONI TOGETHER
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
- On a wooden board or small plate, place 1 crepe at a time, in the middle of the crepe add 1-2 teaspoons (dessert spoon) of meat, 3-4 cubes of mozzarella, 3-4 cubes fontal cheese and 1-2 teaspoons (dessert spoon) of grated parmesan cheese. Roll up the crepe.
- In a medium to large baking pan (depending if you are making all meat or half and half), spread a ladle or a little more if needed of sauce on the bottom of the pan, add the crepes to the pan until pan is full (they can be touching), cover with remaining sauce, top with some cubes of mozzarella and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350° (180°) oven for approximately 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!
**you could also use a food processor or blender.
Notes
- This recipe yields around 25 crepes; adjust filling amounts if making only meat or cheese cannelloni.
- Maintain crepe thickness thin to ensure flexibility and delicate texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 25crepes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 155 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 155kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 57mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 234mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 190mg | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 315IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 3.1mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 141mg | 14% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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