This Sausage Cannelloni is rich, cheesy, and the ultimate cozy dinner. Stuffed with Italian sausage, cottage cheese, herbs, and blanketed in marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella—this baked pasta delivers serious comfort food energy.
If there’s one thing I always keep in the freezer, it’s a tray of stuffed pasta. This version takes traditional Italian cannelloni and fills it with bold sausage, creamy cheese, and a pop of tomato.
I started making this when I ran out of ricotta one night and used cottage cheese instead—and honestly, I’ve never looked back. It’s budget-friendly, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for feeding the whole family (with leftovers to spare). Whether you're baking it in the oven or crisping it up in the air fryer, this dish checks every box.
If you love a good baked pasta, you’ll also enjoy my Instant Pot Cacio e Pepe Pasta or Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers for more warm, cheesy goodness.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Flavorful Filling: Sausage and cheese are a match made in pasta heaven.
- Easy-to-Follow Steps: Whether you’re a beginner or pasta pro, this is simple and satisfying.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Bake in the oven or air fry for crispy edges and melty centers.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Italian Sausage: Savory, juicy, and full of bold flavor—remove casing before cooking.
- Cottage Cheese: A creamy, protein-rich substitute for ricotta that works beautifully.
- Lasagna Sheets: Used in place of traditional cannelloni tubes—easier to stuff and roll.
- Marinara Sauce: Provides that rich, tangy tomato base and keeps everything moist.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- No sausage? Use ground beef, chicken, or turkey for a leaner filling.
Cheese lover? Add a mix of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan inside.
Want extra sauce? Layer with béchamel for a creamy Italian baked pasta vibe.
Make it veggie: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
Also try Spinach And Mushroom Risotto or Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta for more stuffed pasta ideas!
🔪 How To Make Sausage Cannelloni?
- Step 1: Bring a skillet to medium heat. Brown the sausage meat. If in a casing, remove the casing. Add salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Once nearly cooked, add 1 cup of marinara or tomato sauce and mix. Remove from the heat and add the cottage cheese. Stir it in.
- Step 3: Coat the bottom of your baking pan with a light layer of marinara sauce. Lay the lasagna sheets flat and add 2 tablespoons of meat. Roll the noodles until closed.
- Step 4: Place rolled cannelloni on the baking sheet. Whisk the egg and brush the cannelloni with the egg wash. If you prefer to use cannelloni shells, that is fine, but I find rolling after adding the filling easier and it saves time.
- Step 5: Add a baking sheet to the air fryer and cook at 350°f for 5 minutes, remove, and add the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese to the top of the cannelloni.
- Step 6: Return to the air fryer and cook at 350°f for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Now your cannelloni is ready to serve! Cover with parmesan and enjoy!
💡Hint: Rolling with lasagna sheets instead of stuffing dry cannelloni tubes saves time—and avoids mess.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use fresh lasagna sheets: They’re easier to roll and bake up beautifully tender.
Balance bold sausage flavors: The creamy cheese helps mellow the spice. Add garlic or red pepper flakes if you like a kick!
Don’t overfill: A little goes a long way—too much filling will spill out or cause uneven cooking.
Air fryer tip: Place parchment under the cannelloni to prevent sticking and cleanup hassle.
💭 FAQs
Believe it or not, I didn't try cannelloni until my 30's and boy was it good. Cannelloni is a type of Italian pasta dish that consists of large tubes of thin pasta sheets that are filled with meat, vegetables, or cheese. The Cannelloni is then baked in an oven and served with a creamy marinara sauce. This is a rich dish and a favorite recipe you will simply love.
Cannelloni is an Italian pasta made from sheets rolled into tubes, while manicotti are pre-formed tubes, often ridged. Both are stuffed and baked.
Yes! Assemble it the day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
Definitely. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Yes, baked cannelloni is an Italian comfort food that can be air fried or baked. To bake in the oven simply follow the same instructions as for the air fryer, but instead of air frying, cook in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly. Enjoy!
Yes! It adds a similar creaminess but is often more affordable and higher in protein.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite appetizers to serve with Sausage Cannelloni:
- Garlic Breadsticks: Warm, buttery garlic bread sticks with a hint of garlic to soak up the savory flavors of the sausage cannelloni.
- Classic Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine lettuce, parmesan, and Caesar dressing – a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
- Air Fryer Asparagus: Tasty asparagus spears coated in Parmesan and cooked until tender.
🍽 More Tasty And Easy Recipes
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Best Sausage Cannelloni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Ib Italian Sausage links, or unpacked ground
- ⅛ Teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Cottage Cheese
- 2 Cups Marinara Sauce
- 10 Pre Soaked Lasagna Sheets
- 1 Egg
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ Cup Shredded Parmesan cheese Shredded
Instructions
- Bring a skillet to medium heat. Brown off the sausage meat. If in a casing, remove the casing. Add salt and pepper.
- Once nearly cooked, add 1 cup of marinara or tomato sauce and mix. Remove from heat and add the cottage cheese. Stir it in.
- Coat the bottom of your baking pan with a light layer of marinara sauce.Lay the lasagna sheets flat and add 2 tablespoons of meat.
- Roll the noodle until closed. Place rolled cannelloni on the baking sheet. Whisk the egg and brush the cannelloni with the egg wash. If you prefer to use cannelloni shells that is fine but I find rolling after adding the filling easier and it saves time.
- Add a baking sheet to the air fryer and cook at 350°f for 5 minutes, remove and add the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese to the top of the cannelloni.
- Return to air fryer and cook at 350°f for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.Now your cannelloni is ready to serve! Cover with parmesan and enjoy!
Rich, cheesy, and full of flavor—this sausage cannelloni is a comforting classic!