Who else LOVES Italian food?
It is one of my fave cuisines to cook and eat after Indian cuisine.
I absolutely love the flavours of the different herbs
and it just makes me happy.
So I made this homely meal for Sunday lunch with the family
and it was an instant hit.
Now I know the year started and it's my first recipe back,
sorry I took some time off but now I am back and I have more recipes and videos coming!
I know a lot of people like using 'white sauce' in their cannelloni recipe,
personally I have been loving mariana sauce
and so this is my version of making it.
I always say make your own sauce,
it tastes so much better and it's so easy!
- CHICKEN INGREDIENTS -
2 Cups Chicken Fillet (cubed extremely small)
1 Grated Onion
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 - 2 Tbsp Red Chili Paste
1 tsp Freshly Crushed Garlic
1 Tbsp Robertsons Sweet Basil
2 tsp Red Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Peri-Peri Sauce
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Salt To Taste
- CHICKEN METHOD -
- Once your chicken is cubed, marinate it with the red chili paste, crushed garlic, sweet basil, red chili powder, peri-peri sauce, lemon juice and salt.
- In a boil add your grated onion, oil and a little water and braise your onions till golden.
- When your onions become golden, add your marinated chicken, add some water and cook the cubed chicken half way.
- While your chicken is cooking make your marinara sauce.
- MARINARA SAUCE INGREDIENTS -
I love making my own sauce,
yes it takes a bit of time but it's so worth it than just popping a bottle open.
1 Grated Onion
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 - 3 Big Red Tomatoes
1 Small Tin Tomato and Onion Mix
1 tsp Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp Robertsons Dry Parsley
2 tsp Freshly Crushed Garlic
1 Tbsp Robertsons Dry Oregano
1 Tbsp Robertsons Dry Sweet Basil
1 Tbsp Red Chili Powder
2 tsp Red Chili Paste
Salt To Taste
MAJOR TIP:
- Try to get your hands on some Italian Red Cherry Tomatoes, a whole bunch of them can be used instead of the suggested tomatoes under the ingredients. These Italian Red Cherry Tomatoes enhance the sauce so much more, personally I love the large "Woolworths Tin Italian Whole Cherry Tomatoes".
- Another suggestion is try using fresh herbs, I used Robertsons dry parsley, oregano and sweet basil because I didn't have fresh herbs. The more fresh the herbs the more enhanced the flavour of the sauce will be.
- MARINARA SAUCE METHOD -
- Blend all the tomatoes so the sauce will be smooth.
- Braise your grated onions in some olive oil till golden before adding your tomatoes.
- Mix in the rest of the spices to the tomatoes, add some water and leave to cook for around 10 - 15 minutes. Remember the sauce needs to be a lot and thick so you can add some water so it does not dry out.
- While you marinara sauce is cooking you can head over to finish prepping the rest of the dish.
- FINAL STEP INGREDIENTS -
1 Box Cannelloni
1 1/2 Cups Gouda Cheese
1 1/2 Cups Mozerella Cheese
Parmasean Cheese (I used the shaker so I just sprinkled it)
2 - 3 Tb Robertsons Dry Parsley
- FINAL STEP -
You do need patience filling in the cannelloni,
you don't want to break the shells or have it too soggy.
This is why I suggest filling your shells straight out of the box,
I personally do not like to dip it in hot water for a second before filling it
as some people suggest.
- By this point your chicken should have cooked half way and it's time to fill your cannelloni shells.
- Spray (grease) your pyrex or baking dish and slowly fill your shells, make sure they're filled all the way and you don't have to fill with the left over sauce from the chicken.
- Line them up in your pyrex/baking dish till the whole dish is filled with all the cannelloni shells.
- Once you're done, turn the heat off your marinara sauce and pre-heat your oven to 200 Degree's Celsius.
- Pour the hot marinara sauce over your cannelloni, making sure it's all covered in the sauce.
- Top with your gouda, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Finally, garnish with some dry parsley.
- Cover your dish with some foil and bake for 15 - 20 minutes on 200 Degree's Celsius and around 10 minutes on 180 Degree's Celsius.
- Keep checking it's saucy and not watery also that your pasta is soft.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
- PIN IT -
It is so easy to pin a recipe you like right onto your pinterest boards,
simply click on the picture and it will automatically take you to pinterest.
When you share the picture the link shares as well,
which makes it easier for you and any one else to find the recipe.
simply click on the picture and it will automatically take you to pinterest.
When you share the picture the link shares as well,
which makes it easier for you and any one else to find the recipe.
I hope you enjoy this cheesy Chicken Cannelloni with Marinara Sauce Recipe,
it's now one of my favourites and definitely a repeat with the family.
Be sure to have fun with different flavours and spices/herbs,
try to always use fresh ingredients when possible
and try to stick to true nature of the style of cuisine you're cooking.
Please do follow me on my social sites to keep up with posts, tips and videos:
I have shared some other pasta dishes you can check out:
Chips and Chicken Oven Baked Pasta
NOTE:
I purchased the Marble Plate and Pyrex Baking Dish from
Mr Price Home.
I cannot find it anywhere online,
so I will link some places on amazon which you can purchase them from,
but also check any home decor stores.
NOTE:
I purchased the Marble Plate and Pyrex Baking Dish from
Mr Price Home.
I cannot find it anywhere online,
so I will link some places on amazon which you can purchase them from,
but also check any home decor stores.
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