Spring 2020 was the first time i had tried canneloni … infact it was the first time i tried alot of different foods and recipes. That is because well, what else was there to do during the self quarantining that was recommended?

I don’t know about you, but i had seen the pasta sort canneloni many times while browsing the pasta aisle in the stores but it took me 24 years until i finally bought a package and decided to give it a try. And i am not mad that i did.

So if you are like me, seen this pasta sort many times but never tried… then it’s time you give it a try.

You can fill the pasta with numerous different fillings. I have seen other recipes using a tofu ricotta and spinach based filling, which looks incredibly tasty. And i think i will recreate a similar dish soon, so stay tuned for that.

But for this recipe i used a tomato/vegan mince based filling which was delicious, and the vegan mince adds texture to this meal so that it isn’t just mushy.

Have you eaten Canneloni before, and if you have what was the filling you had/used?

Recipe:

Makes 3-4 servings

Canneloni pasta (Use as many as your form has space for, i used around 11-12

Vegan soymince, 300-400g (i used Anamma Formbarfärs)

Frozen spinach

2 garlic cloves

A few drops of liquid smoke

2 tbsp soya (dark)

1 tbsp vegetable fond

2tbsp tomato paste

400ml tomato sauce (&1/2tbsp sugar, garlic, basil)

Salt and pepper

Vegan grated cheese

Basil

How to:

Fry frozen spinach (use a few handfuls) in some oil along with garlic and salt. Add the vegan soya mince and fry for 5-10 minutes, or until the soya mince has begun to get slightly crispy.

Add the drops of liquid smoke (just a few drops is enough) along with the soya sauce (2tbsp), tomato paste (2tbsp), vegetable fond (1tbsp), garlic and salt. Allow to fry for 5-10 minutes while you make the tomato sauce.

In a pot heat the crushed tomatoes on low heat, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2tbsp sugar, salt and pepper, fresh or dried basil. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes to bring out the flavours. NOTE, you can also use prebought and flavoured tomato sauce.

Preheat the oven to 190C.

Grease a baking form. Fill the canneloni (uncooked!) with the filling and place in the form. Repeat until your baking form is filled with the stuffed canneloni. Then pour over the tomato sauce, add some grated cheese and basil on top.

Bake in the oven around 30 minutes.

Eat warm with some fresh salad!!