Welcome to Cooking with Wine, where our passion extends far beyond simply adding a splash of vino to our culinary creations. Here, we celebrate the art of the perfect food and wine pairing, believing that a thoughtfully chosen glass can elevate any meal into an unforgettable experience. This month, we’re uncorking a true masterpiece from our cherished new cookbook, Mangiamo: The Cookbook: our soulful Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni with Grandma’s Sunday Sauce. This dish is a testament to timeless Italian tradition, brimming with comfort and complex flavors, and it demands a wine companion that can rise to the occasion.
This magnificent Cannelloni recipe is an absolute flavor bomb, a symphony of savory notes built from layers of slow-cooked homemade meat sauce, a creamy and aromatic ricotta and spinach filling, and a generous blanket of melted mozzarella and sharp Parmesan. Such a robust and deeply satisfying dish naturally calls for an equally substantial wine. For this month’s highlighted Food and Wine Pairing, we are thrilled to feature the exquisite 2019 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon from Broadside Wine. Its structure and depth beautifully complement the richness of this beloved Italian classic.
Uncorking the Perfect Match: Broadside 2019 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2019 Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is far more than just a wine; it’s an expression of its exceptional terroir and a masterclass in winemaking. This beautiful, full-bodied red is a powerhouse of flavor, presenting an alluring bouquet of dark plum, savory black olive, and intriguing notes of dark chocolate. But its appeal goes beyond its aromatic profile. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance of vibrant fruit, firm yet integrated tannins, and a perfectly calibrated acidity that promises both immediate enjoyment and excellent aging potential.
What truly sets this wine apart is its thoughtful composition: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 6% Malbec. This blend is meticulously crafted, with the Merlot contributing a beautiful suppleness and rounding out the palate with red berry nuances, while the Malbec adds a touch of intriguing spice, vibrant color, and an additional layer of complexity that elevates the overall experience. We deeply appreciate how these varietals create a nuanced character that allows the wine to stand proudly against bold flavors without overwhelming them.
Paso Robles, nestled along California’s Central Coast, is an ideal region for cultivating exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its significant diurnal temperature shifts – hot sunny days followed by cool evenings – this unique climate allows grapes to ripen slowly and fully, developing intense fruit concentration while retaining crucial acidity. The diverse soil types, ranging from calcareous to rocky, further contribute to the complexity and minerality found in Broadside’s wines. This combination of climate, soil, and expert viticulture results in a New World Cabernet Sauvignon that is both approachable and sophisticated.
The philosophy behind pairing a “big wine with a big dish” finds its perfect embodiment here. The robust, often spicy, homemade meat sauce of our Cannelloni is a quintessential companion for a New World Cabernet Sauvignon like this one from Broadside. The wine’s firm tannins naturally bind with the proteins in the meat, cleansing the palate and enhancing the savory notes. Meanwhile, its bright acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese and sauce, preventing the dish from feeling heavy. The dark fruit and earthy undertones of the Cabernet beautifully echo and amplify the deep, complex flavors of Grandma’s Sunday Sauce. It’s a pairing that truly sings, a testament to why Paso Robles continues to be one of our favorite wine regions.
The Heart of the Meal: Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni with Grandma’s Sunday Sauce
This recipe offers a delightful “two-for-one” experience, as the foundational element, Grandma’s Sunday Sauce, is a star in its own right within our Mangiamo cookbook. This sauce is a labor of love, a slow-simmered masterpiece bursting with generations of flavor. We begin with a rich soffritto of finely diced onions, carrots, and celery, sautéed until fragrant, before adding crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and oregano. To truly elevate the sauce for these cannelloni, we incorporate seasoned ground beef, browned to perfection, lending an unparalleled depth and savory richness that permeates every bite.
While the sauce simmers to perfection, developing its incredible complexity, we turn our attention to the cannelloni themselves. Don’t let the elegant presentation fool you; these are surprisingly easy to make and yield an absolutely amazing result. If you’re a fan of lasagna, you simply must try these cannelloni. They offer a completely different ratio of creamy cheese filling to tender pasta, resulting in a unique and incredibly satisfying mouthfeel. Each tube is generously filled with a luscious mixture of whole-milk ricotta, fresh spinach (sautéed and squeezed dry to remove excess moisture), fragrant basil, and a touch of our beloved red pepper flakes, adding a subtle but crucial spicy kick that keeps every bite exciting.
Assembling the dish is part of the joy. Each pasta tube is carefully stuffed, nestled in a bed of Grandma’s Sunday Sauce, and then generously topped with fresh mozzarella, which melts into gooey perfection during baking. But the true star, delivering that essential salty, umami depth, is the authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, grated finely and sprinkled liberally over the top. The aroma that fills your kitchen as these cannelloni bake is nothing short of heavenly – a promise of the rich, comforting flavors to come. From the tender pasta to the vibrant spinach and creamy ricotta, all enveloped in that robust, slow-cooked sauce and crowned with melted cheese, every forkful is a celebration of Italian home cooking. This dish isn’t just food; it’s an experience, a memory in the making, and a perfect example of why some traditions are meant to be savored.
Beyond Cannelloni: Other Perfect Pairings for Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
While our Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni is an undeniable champion with the Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, this versatile full-bodied red has a remarkable affinity for a wide array of hearty dishes. Its robust structure, balanced acidity, and rich fruit notes make it an ideal partner for many substantial meals, particularly those featuring red meats, rich sauces, and earthy elements. Here are a few other exceptional dishes from our Mangiamo cookbook and our blog that would create an equally memorable pairing with this outstanding Cabernet:
- Potato Gnocchi with Sausage Sauce: The tender, pillowy gnocchi and the rich, savory sausage sauce find a perfect counterpoint in the Cabernet’s tannins and acidity, allowing the earthy and spicy notes of the sausage to truly shine.
- Cavatelli with Lamb Ragù: Lamb’s inherent gaminess and the deeply flavored ragù demand a wine with character. The Broadside Cab’s dark fruit and subtle spice beautifully complement the robust nature of this dish, creating a harmonious and indulgent pairing.
- Spaghetti and Meatballs: A timeless classic, our homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs, with its rich tomato-based sauce and savory meatballs, is a natural fit for this Cabernet. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness, while its fruit notes enhance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Sherry Mushroom Risotto: While not a meat dish, the earthy depth of mushrooms and the creamy richness of risotto provide a beautiful canvas for the Cabernet. The wine’s complexity, especially its subtle earthy and savory notes, resonates wonderfully with the umami of the mushrooms, creating an elegant pairing.
- Baked Zucchini with Italian Meat Sauce: Offering a slightly lighter approach with its zucchini base, this dish still delivers a substantial meat sauce that aligns perfectly with the Cabernet’s profile. The wine’s structure ensures it can handle the sauce’s richness without overpowering the delicate zucchini.
Beyond the cookbook, you’ll find other fantastic pairings on our blog that would be magnificent with the Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Consider our indulgent Baked Rigatoni with Tomato Herb Meat Sauce, where the layered flavors and baked cheese find a perfect partner in the wine’s depth. Or perhaps our delicious One Pan Ribeye Mushroom and Onion Skillet, where the seared beef, caramelized onions, and earthy mushrooms are a match made in heaven for the Cabernet’s bold character. And for true comfort, our tender Beer Braised Short Ribs, with their rich, fall-off-the-bone meat and savory sauce, would be utterly transformed by the elegant power of this Paso Robles gem.
We invite you to explore the full breadth of flavors within Mangiamo: The Cookbook and discover your next favorite Italian meal. Click the link HERE to learn more about our culinary journey and find out how to order your copy today! We hope these pairings inspire you to create unforgettable moments around your table, savoring the delicious synergy of exceptional food and perfectly paired wine.