The Most Delicious Meat Stuffed Manicotti

Tender pasta tubes generously stuffed with a savory blend of seasoned ground beef and pork, simmered in rich tomato sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella—this Meat Stuffed Manicotti is Italian comfort food at its finest. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or hosting a cozy dinner, this hearty dish delivers bold flavor in every bite.

The word "manicotti" means "little sleeves" in Italian—perfect name for these pasta tubes that hold all that juicy, meaty goodness!

Although manicotti feels fancy, it's actually one of the easiest baked pasta dishes to prep ahead—making it a total weeknight hero and dinner party showstopper.

FAQs

📌 FAQ for Meat Stuffed Manicotti

1. What is the best meat for stuffed manicotti?
The best meats for stuffed manicotti are a combination of lean ground beef and ground pork, as they add depth of flavor and juiciness to the filling.

2. Can I make stuffed manicotti ahead of time?
Yes! You can fully assemble the stuffed manicotti, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.

3. Can I freeze meat stuffed manicotti?
Absolutely. Stuffed manicotti freezes well. Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked. When ready to cook, bake from frozen at 375°F for 45–50 minutes, covered.

4. How long do I bake stuffed manicotti?
Bake the manicotti at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Do I need to boil manicotti before stuffing?
Yes, in this recipe the manicotti is boiled for 9 minutes before stuffing. This ensures they’re tender and easy to fill.

6. What sauce should I use for stuffed manicotti?
A basic tomato sauce works perfectly. This recipe uses 3 cups of tomato sauce total—layered underneath and on top.

7. What cheese goes best with meat manicotti?
Mozzarella cheese is ideal. It melts beautifully and adds a creamy, gooey topping.

8. How do I keep manicotti from breaking while stuffing?
Boil just until al dente and let the pasta cool on a rack. Then gently stuff using a spoon or piping bag to avoid tearing.

9. Can I use ricotta cheese in this manicotti recipe?
This recipe is strictly meat-based and doesn’t use ricotta, but you can absolutely add it if you’d like a meat and cheese combo.

10. Is this meat manicotti recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free manicotti pasta and ensuring all sauces are certified gluten-free.

11. What side dishes go well with stuffed manicotti?
Garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or sautéed spinach pair beautifully with meat-stuffed manicotti.

12. How many manicotti does 1 box make?
A standard 8 oz box usually contains about 14 manicotti tubes, enough for 4–6 servings depending on how much filling you use.

13. Can I substitute the meat in this manicotti recipe?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage in place of the beef and pork.

14. How do I reheat leftover meat manicotti?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for about 20–25 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2–3 minutes.

15. Is manicotti the same as cannelloni?
They’re very similar, but manicotti is typically a pre-shaped pasta tube, while cannelloni is usually a flat sheet rolled into a tube.

Make it

The Most Delicious Meat Stuffed Manicotti

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Cuisine: Italian-American

Course: Dinner / Main Course

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 small onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp salt, divided
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
3 cups tomato sauce, divided
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 box (8 oz) manicotti pasta
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the Meat Filling

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add lean ground beef and ground pork. Break up the meat and sauté until browned.

Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Season with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, and smoked paprika. Add diced red and green bell peppers along with chopped parsley. Stir to combine.

Pour in water, tomato paste, and 1 cup of tomato sauce. Mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Finish by stirring in chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

2. Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp olive oil. Boil manicotti pasta according to package directions (about 9 minutes).

Drain and carefully place pasta on a cooling rack or tray in a single layer. Let it cool slightly before stuffing.

3. Assemble the Manicotti

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of tomato sauce evenly on the bottom. Add a thin layer of the cooked meat mixture on top.

Stuff each manicotti shell with the meat mixture using a spoon or piping bag. Place them gently in the baking dish.

Top with the remaining 1 cup of tomato sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Garnish and Serve

Garnish with additional chopped Italian parsley before serving.

Enjoy, buen provecho!

Nutrition Facts (Estimated per Serving)

Based on 6 servings

Calories: 640
Protein: 36g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 125mg
Sodium: 1120mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 6g

Nutrition values are approximate and will vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.