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This cheesy beef manicotti pasta is great to prep and serve to the whole family throughout the week. Freeze portions to reheat later on!

Beef and cheese pair so well together and this pasta is the perfect comfort food. Pair it with some veggies for a dinner your family is sure to love!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Here is what you’ll need to make this cheesy beef manicotti:

• Pasta Noodles: I purchased manicotti noodles, but this recipe can also work with jumbo shells.
• Ground Beef: For added protein to this pasta.
• Onion: For added flavor to the beef and cheese mixture.
• Marinara Sauce: Use a good quality sauce for the best taste!
• Ricotta Cheese: Base of the beef and cheese filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: I used whole milk mozzarella cheese, but a low fat variety works here as well.
• Parmesan Cheese: For added sharp cheese flavor in the beef and cheese filling.
• Oil (for pan frying)

PROCESS

1. Boil the manicotti noodles for 6-7 minutes. Rinse them with cold water to stop them from cooking.
2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to a pan on medium heat. Add in the onions and cook until soft. Add in the ground beef and cook until the meat is fully browned, breaking up the meat as needed. Set aside to cool.
3. Add the container of ricotta, mozzarella cheese and parmesan to a bowl and mix until combined. Add the cooked meat to the bowl with the cheeses and mix until combined.
4. Stuff the cheese and meat mixture into the manicotti noodles.
5. Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a pan and add the stuffed manicotti on top. Pour the rest of the sauce on top of the noddles and sprinkle the rest of mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and slightly golden.

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

Once cooled, store the pasta in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, portion out pieces and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. I like to individually portion out enough pieces for another day’s dinner for easy reheating.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Ground beef – The ground beef may be substituted with another form of ground protein. Ground turkey works well here. You may also omit it to make a 3 cheese manicotti pasta!
• Ricotta cheese – The ricotta cheese may be replaced with cottage cheese.
• Onions: The onion may be replaced with 1 to 1.25 teaspoons of onion powder.

RECIPE NOTES

• Finely chop the onions so that there aren’t too many large chunks.
• Feel free to add in spinach when cooking the meat for added greens!
• You may add in sausage, but be mindful that this does contain added salt. 
• When cooking the ground beef, feel free to add in salt to taste. I omitted this step for my family, but if you are making this just for the adults, a little salt or cajun seasoning adds great flavor!
• Use a good quality pasta sauce. I love the Rao’s brand marinara sauce!
• I love using a glass pyrex dish to bake this manicotti pasta.
• Slice the pasta into finger length strips to make them easy for your little one to hold!

You may also like:

• Mac And Cheese Bites
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken
• Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry