Easy Baked Stuffed Manicotti

Name: Easy Baked Stuffed Manicotti with Meat Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 8 oz manicotti pasta; 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks; 24 oz marinara sauce; 1 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 cup water; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese; 1 tsp dried parsley, for garnish

This easy baked stuffed manicotti combines uncooked pasta tubes filled with string cheese, marinara sauce, and seasoned ground beef in a single baking dish, requiring no stovetop and minimal prep for a complete weeknight dinner.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Manicotti 🏷️Baked pasta 🏷️Pasta bake 🏷️Stuffed pasta Ground beef

🏷️

🏷️Mozzarella

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TikTok

Total

1h

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

8 oz manicotti pasta
8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
24 oz marinara sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 cup water
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried parsley, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Arrange the uncooked manicotti shells in a single layer in a baking dish.
3
Carefully stuff each manicotti shell with one mozzarella string cheese stick.
4
Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed pasta.
5
Top with the cooked and crumbled ground beef.
6
Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
7
Pour one cup of water into the baking dish, around the edges of the pasta.
8
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
9
Bake for 30 minutes.
10
Carefully remove the foil and top the pasta with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
11
Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12
Garnish with dried parsley before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish before arranging manicotti to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Pack each tube firmly with string cheese and leave 1/4 inch of space at the ends to prevent the filling from bursting out during baking.
The water in the recipe is essential—it creates steam to cook the uncooked pasta, so don't skip it or reduce the amount.
Manicotti is done when a fork easily pierces the pasta and the sauce bubbles around the edges; overcooked manicotti becomes mushy.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground Italian sausage or ground turkey (maintains similar flavor profile and cooking time)
String cheese → shredded mozzarella mixed with ricotta (provides creamier filling)
Marinara sauce → vodka sauce or meat sauce from a jar (adjust seasoning as needed)
Italian seasoning → dried oregano + dried basil in equal amounts (1/2 tsp each)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or microwave individual portions until warmed through.

Common Questions

Do I need to cook the manicotti pasta before stuffing?

No. This is a dump-and-bake recipe, so the uncooked manicotti tubes are stuffed and baked directly in the sauce and water, which softens them as they bake.