The ultimate comfort food has arrived: cheesy beef stuffed manicotti! With tender pasta shells filled with a luscious blend of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, every bite delivers cozy, Italian-inspired flavor. A rich marinara sauce ties it all together, bubbling to perfection in the oven under a golden layer of cheese.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners, this baked manicotti recipe is a satisfying meal the whole family will love. It’s great for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and easily paired with salad or garlic bread for a complete, stress-free dinner.
Full Recipe:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 cup diced yellow onion
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1 pound lean ground beef
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1 teaspoon sea salt
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cheese Filling:
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15 oz ricotta cheese
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
Pasta & Sauce:
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8 oz manicotti pasta (about 14 pieces)
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1 tablespoon olive oil or non-stick spray
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28 oz marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until soft.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat.
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Season meat with sea salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Set aside to cool.
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In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
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Stir the cooled meat into the cheese mixture.
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Boil manicotti noodles for 3–4 minutes until just softened. Drain and place on a greased baking sheet to cool.
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Coat a large baking dish with olive oil and spread half of the marinara sauce in the bottom.
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Fill each manicotti shell with the beef and cheese mixture using a piping bag or small spoon.
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Arrange stuffed manicotti in a single layer in the baking dish.
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Top with remaining sauce, then sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan over the top.
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Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 634 kcal per 2 pieces | Servings: 7 servings (2 manicotti each)
A Family Favorite: Cheesy Beef Stuffed Manicotti
Cheesy Beef Stuffed Manicotti is one of those iconic Italian-American comfort dishes that brings everyone around the dinner table. With tender pasta tubes filled to the brim with a rich, savory combination of ground beef, creamy ricotta, and a blend of Italian cheeses, this dish offers the kind of hearty warmth you crave at the end of a long day. It’s elegant enough to serve at a Sunday family dinner, yet simple enough to whip up on a weeknight with a little meal prep.
Whether you grew up with classic baked pasta dishes or you’re discovering the magic of manicotti for the first time, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. With its irresistible layers of flavor, versatility, and ability to satisfy a crowd, it’s no wonder manicotti has stood the test of time.
What Makes Manicotti Unique
Manicotti, which translates from Italian as “little sleeves,” is a type of pasta that’s perfect for stuffing. Unlike its cousin cannelloni (which is often filled raw and baked), manicotti is typically parboiled, filled, and then baked in a savory sauce. The result is a pillowy-soft shell that cradles a flavorful filling, typically made with cheese, vegetables, or meat.
This particular recipe features a robust meat and cheese mixture, using lean ground beef and a three-cheese blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The filling is well-seasoned and hearty, making each bite rich and satisfying. When paired with a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with bubbling melted cheese, the whole dish becomes an irresistible medley of textures and flavors.
The Importance of Ingredient Quality
One of the keys to making this dish shine is using high-quality ingredients. Whole milk ricotta cheese offers a creamier, more indulgent texture than part-skim, while freshly shredded mozzarella melts more evenly and adds that perfect stretchy quality. A good marinara sauce—whether homemade or from a trusted store-bought brand—can elevate the entire dish with its robust tomato flavor and herbs.
Parmesan is another ingredient that shouldn’t be overlooked. Grating it fresh instead of using pre-packaged options brings a nutty sharpness that balances the richness of the other cheeses and the beef. Even small steps, like sautéing the onions until golden before adding the beef, build depth of flavor that you’ll taste in the final result.
A Versatile and Customizable Dish
What makes manicotti so appealing is how easily it adapts to your needs or dietary preferences. Want to make it vegetarian? Just leave out the ground beef and add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or even lentils for a plant-based protein boost. Prefer ground turkey or sausage? Swap them in for the beef for a different take. You can even add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil into the cheese mixture for added freshness.
Additionally, manicotti freezes exceptionally well, making it a go-to recipe for busy households. You can prepare a double batch and freeze one for later, or portion it into meal prep containers for an easy reheat-and-eat option throughout the week.
Tips for Perfectly Stuffed Manicotti
Stuffing manicotti may seem intimidating at first, but with a few tricks, it becomes quick and easy. Undercooking the pasta slightly (just enough to make it pliable) ensures it holds its shape and doesn’t tear while being filled. Once cooled, you can use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the filling into each shell. This not only speeds up the process but also ensures even distribution.
Another tip is to coat the baking dish with a layer of sauce before adding the stuffed shells. This prevents sticking and ensures that the pasta remains moist during baking. Finish it off with a generous topping of sauce and cheese for that signature golden-bubbly crust.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Cheesy Beef Stuffed Manicotti is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides to create a well-rounded dinner. A crisp green salad dressed with vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the cheese and meat. Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is a natural companion, perfect for mopping up every bit of sauce from your plate.
If you’re looking to add vegetables to the meal, roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or steamed zucchini make excellent additions. These sides provide balance without stealing the spotlight from the main dish.
Great for Special Occasions and Meal Prep
This dish is an excellent option for celebrations and gatherings. Its presentation is elegant, especially when served in a beautiful ceramic or glass baking dish. Because it’s baked in the oven, it frees up your stovetop and allows you to spend more time with guests or family instead of cooking during the event.
For busy individuals or families, manicotti is a meal prep dream. You can assemble it a day in advance, store it covered in the refrigerator, and then bake it fresh the next day. Alternatively, assemble and freeze the dish unbaked; just thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. This flexibility makes it an ideal candidate for batch cooking.
A Dish That Feels Like Home
There’s something incredibly comforting about stuffed pasta baked in tomato sauce. It’s a dish that feels both rustic and luxurious, delivering warmth in every bite. For many people, it evokes memories of Sunday dinners, holidays, or quiet evenings spent at home with loved ones. It’s the kind of meal that not only fills your belly but also your heart.
Even if you didn’t grow up with Italian food on your table, this manicotti recipe makes you feel like you did. It’s accessible, rewarding to make, and endlessly adaptable—qualities that define truly great comfort food.
Health and Nutrition Considerations
While this dish is indulgent, it also offers a balanced profile of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. The lean beef provides protein and iron, while the ricotta adds calcium and a creamy texture. The pasta offers a source of energy-rich carbs, and the tomato sauce contributes antioxidants like lycopene.
If you’re looking to lighten it up, you can experiment with using part-skim cheeses or increasing the ratio of vegetables in the filling. Using whole wheat pasta adds a bit more fiber and nutrition without compromising taste. As with many recipes, balance is key, and this dish can easily fit into a wholesome eating plan with a few adjustments.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Love This Manicotti
Cheesy Beef Stuffed Manicotti is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of classic flavors, family tradition, and the joy of gathering around a delicious meal. Its creamy, cheesy filling, robust beefy flavor, and savory tomato sauce make it a dish that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re preparing it for a cozy weeknight dinner, feeding a crowd, or stocking your freezer for busy days, this manicotti delivers on flavor, comfort, and convenience.
With a few pantry staples and a little time, you can create a meal that feels like it came straight out of a beloved Italian kitchen. From its comforting texture to its nostalgic aroma, this dish truly has it all. Once you try it, it’s likely to become a treasured part of your recipe rotation for years to come.