In today's fast-paced world, finding the time and money to prepare a delicious and nutritious meal for your family can be challenging. However, with a little planning and creativity, you can create affordable family meals that are both satisfying and budget-friendly. One such recipe is our Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni, a flavorful dish that can be made for under $20.
Serves 4 | Prep 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil (pantry item)
- 1 clove garlic, finely diced ($0.25)
- 250 g (¾ packet) frozen spinach ($3)
- 375 g (1 tub) ricotta ($3)
- 20 g (¼ cup) Parmesan, grated ($0.75)
- 1 egg ($0.50)
- 700 g (1 jar) primavera pasta sauce ($3.50)
- 250 g (1 packet) cannelloni ($3)
- 50 g (1 cup) grated cheddar cheese ($0.75)
- salt and pepper (pantry item)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Spoon a third of the pasta sauce into the bottom of a baking dish and spread evenly to cover the whole base. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat then add garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add spinach and allow to defrost over heat for a few minutes, stirring to combine with garlic.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly before adding ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to a piping bag. Pipe mixture into each cannelloni tube and place in a baking dish.
- Spoon remaining pasta sauce over the cannelloni and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cannelloni are tender.
- Serve in your favourite We Might Be Tiny Snackie.
Notes: This recipe makes a generous portion, perfect for feeding a family or for leftovers the next day. Serve the cannelloni with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Ways to customise this recipe using ingredients on-hand
Customising the Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni recipe is not only a great way to tailor the dish to your family's tastes but also to use up ingredients you already have on hand. Here are a few ideas:
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add extra vegetables to the spinach and ricotta filling. Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini would all be great additions. Simply sauté the vegetables with the garlic before combining them with the spinach and ricotta.
- Protein Options: If you prefer a meatier dish, you can add cooked ground beef, chicken, or sausage to the filling. Brown the meat separately and then mix it in with the spinach and ricotta mixture before filling the cannelloni tubes.
- Cheese Choices: While Parmesan and cheddar cheese are used in this recipe, you can experiment with different types of cheese to change the flavour profile. Mozzarella, provolone, or even feta cheese would all work well in this dish.
- Sauce Substitutions: If you don't have primavera pasta sauce on hand, you can use marinara sauce, tomato sauce, or even a homemade tomato sauce. Add herbs and spices like basil, oregano, and garlic powder to enhance the flavour.
- Herb and Spice Enhancements: Customise the flavour of the filling by adding your favourite herbs and spices. Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes are all great options to add a kick of flavour.
- Using Up Leftovers: This recipe is also a fantastic way to use up leftover ingredients. If you have leftover cooked vegetables, meat, or cheese, you can incorporate them into the filling. Simply chop them up and mix them in with the spinach and ricotta.
- Gluten-Free Option: If you're following a gluten-free diet, look for gluten-free cannelloni tubes or use gluten-free lasagna sheets instead. You can layer the filling between the sheets and top with sauce and cheese.
Tips and tricks to help you create budget-friendly meals
- Plan Your Meals: Planning your meals in advance can help you make the most of your ingredients and avoid unnecessary purchases. Take inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge, and plan your meals around those items. This can help reduce food waste and save you money.
- Buy in Bulk: Buying staple ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, and spices in bulk can help you save money in the long run. These items have a long shelf life and can be used in a variety of dishes, making them great pantry staples for budget-friendly cooking.
- Use Seasonal Produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often more affordable and flavorful than their out-of-season counterparts. Shop for produce that is in season and plan your meals around those ingredients to save money.
- Cook in Bulk and Freeze: Cooking in bulk and freezing leftovers can save you time and money. Prepare large batches of meals and freeze them in individual portions for quick and easy meals later on. This can also help you avoid the temptation of ordering takeout on busy nights.
- Get Creative with Leftovers: Don't let leftovers go to waste! Use leftover ingredients to create new meals. For example, leftover chicken can be used in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes, while leftover vegetables can be added to soups, stews, or stir-fries.
