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The Recipe · No.320 · Cannelloni

Cannelloni, and where to source it

Cannelloni — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Cannelloni Italian 5best2buy.com

Undercook the pasta sheets so they finish in the oven and stay firm, because fully boiled tubes turn to mush under the sauce. Let it rest ten minutes out of the oven so the bechamel sets and each tube lifts out cleanly.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep35 min
Cook35 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineItalian
Cost$$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Fresh pasta sheets
Thin sheets rolled into tubes; par-cooked so they finish tender in the bake.
1 lb (about 3 cups flour)
Source it →
Ricotta
Drained whole-milk ricotta is the body of the filling.
2 cups
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Canned tomatoes
Crushed tomatoes cooked with garlic for the sauce under and over the tubes.
1 can (28 oz)
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Parmigiano-Reggiano
Grated into the filling and over the top for the browned savory crust.
3/4 cup grated
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Butter
The base of the bechamel with flour and milk.
3 tbsp
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Milk
Warm milk whisked into the roux makes the bechamel that keeps it moist.
2 cups
Source it →
Spinach, garlic, and nutmeg
Cooked and squeezed-dry spinach and garlic in the filling, nutmeg in the bechamel.
1 lb spinach, 2 cloves
Garlic →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerOne-potSheet pan
The Method
  1. Make the fillingMix drained ricotta, chopped cooked spinach, Parmesan, egg, and nutmeg. Season well and chill.
  2. Bechamel and sauceCook a butter-flour roux, whisk in warm milk to a smooth sauce; simmer crushed tomatoes with garlic separately.
  3. Fill and layerPipe filling into par-cooked tubes. Spread tomato sauce in the dish, lay the tubes, top with bechamel and Parmesan.
  4. Bake and restBake at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes until browned and bubbling. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
The Toolkit

Baking dish · Piping bag · Whisk · Pasta roller

Straight Answers
Can you make Cannelloni in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Cannelloni? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Cannelloni ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Cannelloni gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).

Is Cannelloni vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.320

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