Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce

# Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce: A Hearty and Flavorful Italian Classic

If you’re in the mood for a hearty, comforting, and delicious Italian meal, look no further than **Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce**. This dish combines tender **manicotti pasta tubes**, a rich **meat sauce**, and a generous helping of melted **cheese** for a meal that’s nothing short of indulgent. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or simply a cozy night in, this recipe will make everyone at the table smile.

### Why You’ll Love Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce

### 1. **Hearty and Filling**
There’s something about baked pasta dishes that instantly makes you feel at home. The **manicotti**—large, tubular pasta—holds up beautifully to the **meat sauce** and **cheese**, making each bite satisfying and flavorful. The rich, savory flavors from the beef and marinara sauce blend perfectly with the creamy cheese filling.

### 2. **A Crowd-Pleaser**
This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, whether it’s a family dinner or a dinner party. It’s a generous meal that can easily be doubled for larger gatherings, and its comforting, classic flavors appeal to just about everyone.

### 3. **Make-Ahead Friendly**
You can prepare **Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce** ahead of time, making it the ideal dish to prep earlier in the day or even the day before. Just assemble the manicotti and meat sauce, cover, refrigerate, and bake when you’re ready. This helps save time on busy nights while still delivering a fresh, homemade meal.

### 4. **Customizable to Your Taste**
Feel free to tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences. For a more decadent dish, you can add a blend of different cheeses, such as **mozzarella**, **parmesan**, and **ricotta**. If you’re looking to make it a bit healthier, swap in lean ground turkey or chicken for the beef. You can even add extra vegetables to the meat sauce for more color and nutrition.

## Ingredients for Cheesy Baked Manicotti with Meat Sauce

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this hearty, cheesy dish:

### For the Meat Sauce:
– 1 pound **ground beef** (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
– 1 small **onion**, chopped
– 2 cloves **garlic**, minced
– 1 (24 oz) jar **marinara sauce** (or your favorite pasta sauce)
– 1 teaspoon **dried basil**
– 1 teaspoon **dried oregano**
– 1/2 teaspoon **salt**
– 1/2 teaspoon **black pepper**
– 1/4 teaspoon **crushed red pepper flakes** (optional, for a bit of heat)
– 1/2 cup **water** (to loosen the sauce if necessary)

### For the Cheese Filling:
– 15 oz **ricotta cheese**
– 1 ½ cups **shredded mozzarella cheese**
– 1/2 cup **grated Parmesan cheese**
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon **fresh parsley** (optional)
– 1 teaspoon **dried oregano**
– Salt and pepper to taste

### For the Manicotti:
– 12 **manicotti pasta tubes** (uncooked)
– **Olive oil** (for greasing)

For Topping:
– 1 ½ cups **shredded mozzarella cheese** (for baking)

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