This cheesy beef & spinach manicotti is one of those cozy, classic dinners that never disappoints. Tender manicotti shells are filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach mixture, layered with hearty meat sauce, and finished with melty mozzarella and parmesan. It’s comforting, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
why I love this recipe
This cheesy beef & spinach manicotti has always been one of my favorites. Growing up my mom made this dish for us often. I’d come home to the smell of warm pasta, melted cheese, and savory meat sauce filling the kitchen. It was one of those meals that just made the whole house feel cozy, and I loved every bite.
Now, making it myself brings back all those memories. The pasta shells are filled with a creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach mixture, baked in a rich meat sauce, and topped with gooey, golden cheese. It’s hearty, comforting, and totally satisfying without being complicated.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just a simple weeknight dinner, this cheesy beef & spinach manicotti is one I always go back to. It’s easy, full of flavor, and a little taste of home in every bite.
ingredients for cheesy beef & spinach manicotti
- Manicotti shells – a sturdy pasta shell that holds the creamy filling beautifully
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – melts perfectly and adds that classic cheesy pull
- Parmesan cheese – for garnish and extra savory flavor
- Fresh basil – adds a fresh, herby finish
- Ricotta cheese – creates a creamy, rich base for the filling
- Egg – helps bind the filling together
- Frozen spinach – thawed and squeezed completely dry to avoid excess moisture
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Ground beef – beef adds protein to the dish, but can be omitted
- Pasta sauce – use your favorite jarred sauce for ease and flavor
What is Manicotti?
Manicotti is a tube-shaped pasta made for stuffing — the name actually means “big sleeve” in Italian. Traditionally, it’s filled with ricotta, sometimes spinach, and baked in a tomato or meat sauce. It’s classic comfort food that’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and looks fancy without being complicated — basically a cozy, cheesy hug in pasta form.
What Makes This Manicotti So Good
- Classic comfort food — This baked manicotti is cozy, filling, and everything you want in a comforting pasta dinner.
- Creamy, cheesy filling — The ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and spinach filling is rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
- Easy but impressive — It looks like a labor of love, but using a piping bag makes filling the shells quick and mess-free.
- Family-friendly & filling — This is one of those dinners everyone loves, and it makes great leftovers for the next day.
step-by-step
- Preheat the oven and cook the manicotti shells until just tender, then set them aside to cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, thawed and drained spinach, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and fresh basil to make the creamy filling.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then stir in the pasta sauce to create a simple, flavorful meat sauce.
- Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese and spinach mixture. A piping bag makes it easy, but a spoon works too.
- Arrange the filled shells in a baking dish and pour the meat sauce evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan over everything, cover with foil, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the foil for a few minutes toward the end to let the top get lightly golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm, enjoying every cheesy, comforting bite.
For a step-by-step tutorial, watch my video on Instagram
pro tips & variations 💡
- Slightly undercook the manicotti shells so they don’t tear or get mushy while baking.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and using extra marinara sauce instead.
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Assemble the dish ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake — perfect for busy nights or entertaining.
- This manicotti freezes well either before or after baking for an easy future meal.
want more recipes like this? try these pasta recipes 👇
Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Pasta Bake
Cheesy Beef & Spinach Manicotti
Equipment
- 1 baking dish 9"x13"
- 1 skillet
- 1 pot
- piping bag
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce box manicotti shells
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish
Cheese & Spinach Filling
- 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 10-ounce box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed completely dry
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
Meat Sauce
- Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 24-ounce jar pasta sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the manicotti shells and cook for 5–6 minutes, just until al dente. Drain and arrange the shells on a baking sheet to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix together all of the filling ingredients until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag, or use a spoon to fill the shells.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked, stir in the pasta sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Spread half of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pipe the filling into each manicotti shell and arrange them in an even layer in the baking dish.
- Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the filled shells, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil before serving.
