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Stuffed Manicotti with Rich Meat Sauce | Classic Italian Pasta Recipe

Stuffed Manicotti with Rich Meat Sauce

This stuffed manicotti with rich meat sauce is a comforting, cheesy, and hearty Italian classic. Tender pasta tubes are filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, nestled in savory beef marinara, and topped with melty mozzarella. It’s the ultimate baked pasta dish for family dinners or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

🟡 For the Filling:

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

2 tbsp chopped parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

🟡 For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

🟡 For Assembly:

8–10 manicotti shells, cooked and drained

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)

Extra parsley or basil (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Drain fat.

3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.

5. Transfer filling to a piping bag or spoon it carefully into cooked manicotti shells.

6. Spread half the meat sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top.

7. Pour remaining sauce over the manicotti and sprinkle with extra mozzarella.

8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.

9. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

Cook shells al dente—they’ll finish cooking in the oven.

You can use ground Italian sausage instead of beef for extra flavor.

Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate overnight or freeze unbaked for up to 2 months.

  • Author: Mila Bryn
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 manicotti
  • Calories: 510
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: stuffed manicotti, baked pasta with meat sauce, classic Italian pasta recipe