Creamy Chicken Cannelloni Bake
Indulge in this delightful Creamy Chicken Cannelloni Bake, inspired by the beloved recipes from Canada's Best of Bridge series. This dish features tender cannelloni tubes filled with a savory chicken mixture, complemented by a rich cheddar sauce and topped with gooey Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy family lunch, you can prepare the chicken filling and meat sauce ahead of time, making assembly a breeze. Simply bake before serving for a comforting meal that is sure to impress.
12
Servings
333
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 large (cooked and chopped or ground)
oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
onion
1/4 cup (minced)
celery
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
carrot
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
parsley
2 tablespoons (minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
oregano
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
basil
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (ground)
white pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
ricotta cheese
1 cup (softened)
egg yolks
2 (beaten)
parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (freshly grated)
chicken broth
1 3/4 cups (1 cup + 10 oz) (for sauce)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
flour
5 tablespoons (for thickening sauce)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (grated)
spaghetti sauce with meat
1 cup (prepared)
half-and-half cream
1/2 cup (for sauce)
Knorr's Hollandaise sauce mix
1 (26 g) package (for preparation)
monterey jack cheese
1 lb (grated)
cannelloni tubes
20 (or substitute crepes)
Instructions
1
1. To prepare the chicken filling, cook the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium heat until they are no longer pink. Take care not to overcook. Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then chop finely or grind it.
2
2. In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add minced onion, chopped celery, finely chopped carrots, and parsley. Cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
3
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks. Then, add the ricotta cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese, mixing until smooth.
4
4. Incorporate the cooked vegetables, shredded chicken, broth, salt, oregano, basil, nutmeg, and white pepper into the cheese mixture. Mix well to combine. This filling can be covered and refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
5
5. For the cheddar sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook until smooth, creating a roux.
6
6. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
7. Mix in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and fully combined. Add the pre-prepared meat sauce and half-and-half cream. Stir to combine.
8
8. Prepare the Hollandaise sauce according to package instructions and then gently mix it into the cheddar sauce.
9
9. Cook cannelloni tubes according to package directions. Once cooked, allow them to cool slightly.
10
10. Fill each cannelloni tube with approximately 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling using a small spoon.
11
11. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In two 9"x13" baking dishes, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
12
12. Place the filled cannelloni in the dishes, arranging them side by side with five in each row. Pour the remaining sauce over and around the stuffed shells.
13
13. Sprinkle with grated Monterey Jack cheese.
14
14. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve hot and enjoy!
15
15. To make ahead, prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover tightly, and freeze for easy reheating later.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
10g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken Cannelloni Bake?
It is a savory pasta dish featuring cannelloni tubes filled with a seasoned chicken and ricotta mixture, topped with a rich cheddar sauce and Monterey Jack cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 12 people.
What are the key ingredients in the chicken filling?
The filling consists of cooked chicken, ricotta cheese, parmesan, egg yolks, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of spices like oregano, basil, and nutmeg.
How should the chicken be prepared for the filling?
The chicken breasts should be cooked in a skillet until no longer pink, then finely chopped or ground after cooling slightly.
Which vegetables are included in the filling?
The recipe calls for minced onion, chopped celery, finely chopped carrots, and fresh parsley.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover it tightly, and freeze it for later use.
What cheeses are used in the filling mixture?
The filling uses 1 cup of softened ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How do I make the cheddar sauce base?
Create a roux with melted butter and flour, then gradually whisk in chicken broth and stir until thickened before adding grated cheddar.
What special sauce is mixed into the cheddar sauce?
The recipe incorporates prepared Hollandaise sauce and a cup of meat-based spaghetti sauce into the cheddar cheese mixture.
Can this cannelloni bake be frozen?
Yes, the instructions state that the dish can be frozen before the final baking step for easy reheating later.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
It only needs to bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Are there any substitutes for cannelloni tubes?
Yes, the recipe suggests that crepes can be used as a substitute for the cannelloni tubes.
What is the calorie count for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 333 calories.
How much protein does one serving contain?
One serving of this dish provides about 25g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 18g of fat in each serving.
Which spices season the chicken filling?
The filling is seasoned with salt, dried oregano, dried basil, ground nutmeg, and white pepper.
How much filling should I put in each tube?
Each cannelloni tube should be filled with approximately 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture.
Does this recipe use spaghetti sauce?
Yes, it uses 1 cup of prepared spaghetti sauce with meat as part of the topping sauce.
How do I ensure the chicken isn't overcooked?
Cook the chicken over medium heat just until it is no longer pink and take care to remove it from the heat immediately.
What size baking pans are needed?
The recipe calls for two 9x13 inch baking dishes.
What cheese is used for the final topping?
The dish is topped with 1 lb of grated Monterey Jack cheese before baking.
What type of cream is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of half-and-half cream to enrich the sauce.
How many cannelloni tubes are required?
You will need 20 cannelloni tubes for this recipe.
What brand of Hollandaise sauce mix is suggested?
The recipe specifies using a 26g package of Knorr's Hollandaise sauce mix.
Can I use ground chicken instead of breasts?
While the recipe calls for breasts that are then chopped or ground, pre-ground chicken could be used as a time-saver.
How should the tubes be arranged in the pan?
Place the filled tubes side by side in the baking dishes, typically arranging five in each row.
What is the source of inspiration for this recipe?
This dish is inspired by the famous Canadian 'Best of Bridge' cookbook series.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can the chicken filling be made and stored separately?
Yes, the filling can be covered and refrigerated or even frozen until you are ready to assemble the dish.