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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Cannelloni

Cannelloni are large, tube-shaped pasta typically filled with ingredients such as meat, cheese, fish, or vegetables and baked with sauce.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Cannelloni are large, tube-shaped pasta filled with savoury ingredients and baked in sauce, a staple of both Italian and Catalan cuisines.

What it is

Cannelloni are cylindrical pasta tubes or rolled pasta sheets stuffed with a filling such as ricotta and spinach, minced meat, cheese, fish, or vegetables. They are typically covered in tomato or béchamel sauce and baked until golden.

Key details

The name is commonly explained as meaning “large reeds.” In Catalan cuisine, they are called canelons and are traditionally eaten on Saint Stephen's Day. Cannelloni are often compared to manicotti, though terminology varies by region.

Why it matters

Cannelloni are a familiar dish in Canadian home cooking and Italian restaurants, reflecting the influence of Italian cuisine in Canada. They are also a traditional part of Catalan food culture, showing how a simple pasta dish can cross borders.

In short

  • Cannelloni are large pasta tubes or rolled sheets filled and baked.
  • Common fillings include ricotta and spinach or minced meat.
  • They are Italian in origin and also traditional in Catalonia.
  • The name means “large reeds.”
Canadian angle

Cannelloni is commonly available in Canadian Italian restaurants and grocery stores, and it is a familiar dish in Canadian home cooking influenced by Italian cuisine.

Quick questions

What are cannelloni?
Cannelloni are large pasta tubes or rolled pasta filled with savoury ingredients and baked in sauce.
What fillings are commonly used?
Common fillings include ricotta and spinach, minced meat, cheese, fish, and vegetables.
Are cannelloni Italian?
Yes, they are generally described as part of Italian cuisine, although they are also a traditional dish in Catalonia.

Sources

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannelloni
    Supports: Definition as baked tube-shaped or rolled pasta filled with meat, fish, cheese, or vegetables.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cannelloni
    Supports: Definition as tubular or rolled pasta filled with meat or poultry and often cheese, baked in cream or tomato sauce.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannelloni
    Supports: Italian origin, meaning of the name, typical fillings, and Catalan association with canelons and Saint Stephen's Day.
  4. La Cucina Italiana — https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/glossary/cannelloni
    Supports: Traditional Italian usage, Emilia association, typical fillings, and use of tomato sauce and béchamel.
  5. Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/cannelloni
    Supports: Definition as pasta tubes filled with meat, fish, cheese, or vegetables and baked in sauce.