Canelone de Espinafre

Canelone de Espinafre is a comforting Brazilian dish featuring pasta tubes filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked to perfection with a rich tomato sauce. It's an ideal vegetarian main course that is both hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients

• Lasagna sheets - 4 sheets
• Fresh spinach - 200 grams
• Ricotta cheese - 150 grams
• Parmesan cheese - 50 grams, grated
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Tomato sauce - 300 grams
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Fresh basil - a handful, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined.
5. Prepare the lasagna sheets by cooking them in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain and cool them on a clean kitchen towel.
6. Spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
7. Take a lasagna sheet and place a generous spoonful of the spinach and ricotta mixture on one end. Roll it up carefully and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining sheets.
8. Once all the canelones are in the dish, pour the remaining tomato sauce over them and sprinkle with the rest of the grated Parmesan cheese.
9. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
10. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 520
• Protein: 21 g
• Carbs: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins A and K from spinach, promoting eye health and bone strength.
• High in protein and calcium from ricotta cheese, supporting muscle and bone health.

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