13 Cheesy Manicotti Recipes for Baked Pasta

There’s something undeniably magical about cheesy manicotti straight from the oven—the way the pasta tubes swell with creamy fillings, bubble under a golden blanket of melted cheese, and fill your home with that irresistible aroma. I still remember Sunday dinners at my Nonna’s house in Italy, where she’d spend hours stuffing manicotti by hand with ricotta and mozzarella, baking them until the edges crisped just right. Those meals weren’t just food; they were love on a plate, bringing our big family together around the table amid laughter and seconds (always seconds).

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking classics with bold twists like spicy buffalo sauce or earthy mushrooms, all while keeping that cheesy core intact. In today’s fast-paced world, these baked pasta dishes are a godsend—comforting, make-ahead meals that feed a crowd without fuss. Whether you’re craving nostalgia or innovation, these 13 recipes will have you reaching for the oven mitts.

Classic Ricotta and Mozzarella Manicotti

This timeless recipe is my go-to for weeknight comfort, stuffed with a simple mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for ultimate creaminess. Ingredients (serves 4-6): 12 manicotti shells, 2 cups ricotta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 egg, 2 cups marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and fresh basil.
Boil manicotti al dente, mix cheeses with egg, salt, and pepper, stuff shells, layer in a baking dish with sauce, top with extra mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until bubbly. It’s beginner-friendly, vegetarian, and packed with calcium for bone health.

Spinach and Feta Cheese Manicotti

A Greek-inspired twist that’s fresh yet indulgent, blending wilted spinach with tangy feta and creamy ricotta. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 10 oz spinach, 1 cup feta crumbled, 1 cup ricotta, 1.5 cups mozzarella, 2 cups tomato sauce, garlic, nutmeg.
Sauté spinach with garlic, mix with cheeses and nutmeg, stuff cooked shells, cover with sauce and mozzarella, bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Nutrient-dense with iron from spinach and probiotics from feta, it’s a lighter cheesy option for veggie lovers.

Meaty Beef and Cheddar Manicotti

Hearty and satisfying, this version amps up the cheese with sharp cheddar alongside ground beef for a burger-in-pasta vibe. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 lb ground beef, 2 cups cheddar shredded, 1 cup ricotta, 2 cups spaghetti sauce, onion, garlic.
Brown beef with onion and garlic, mix with ricotta and half the cheddar, stuff shells, layer with sauce, top with remaining cheddar, bake 375°F for 35 minutes. High-protein for post-workout fuel, perfect for meaty cravings without the grill.

Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Manicotti

Spicy and addictive, shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce meets blue cheese and mozzarella for game-day glory. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups shredded chicken, 1 cup buffalo sauce, 1 cup blue cheese crumbles, 2 cups mozzarella, ranch dressing for topping.
Mix chicken with buffalo sauce and cheeses, stuff shells, pour ranch-mixed sauce over, bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, drizzle extra ranch. Balances heat with cool creaminess, great for sharing and boosting metabolism with capsaicin.

Four-Cheese Extravaganza Manicotti

Indulge in ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and gorgonzola for a decadent, melty masterpiece. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1/2 cup each of four cheeses, 1 egg, 2 cups Alfredo sauce, Italian seasoning.
Blend cheeses with egg and seasoning, fill shells, top with Alfredo and extra provolone, bake 375°F for 32 minutes. A cheese lover’s dream with varied textures and flavors, supports gut health from fermented cheeses.

Pesto and Parmesan Manicotti

Bright basil pesto swirled with Parmesan and ricotta for an herby, nutty cheesy bake. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 cup pesto, 1.5 cups ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, cherry tomatoes.
Combine pesto, ricotta, and half Parmesan, stuff shells, layer with halved tomatoes and cheeses, bake 375°F for 30 minutes. Antioxidant-rich from pesto, elegant yet easy for date nights.

Mexican Chorizo and Queso Manicotti

Fiesta in a shell with spicy chorizo, queso fresco, and cheddar for bold, cheesy fusion. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 lb chorizo, 1 cup queso fresco, 1.5 cups cheddar, 2 cups enchilada sauce, cilantro.
Cook chorizo, mix with crumbled queso and half cheddar, stuff, cover with sauce and cheddar, bake 375°F for 35 minutes, top with cilantro. Flavor-packed protein boost, ideal for Taco Tuesday twists.

Broccoli Cheddar Manicotti Bake

Veggie-forward with steamed broccoli and extra-sharp cheddar for a comforting, green-loaded cheese fest. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups broccoli florets, 2.5 cups cheddar, 1 cup ricotta, 2 cups cheese sauce.
Steam broccoli, mix with ricotta and cheddar, stuff shells, pour cheese sauce over, bake 375°F for 30 minutes. Vitamin C powerhouse from broccoli, family-friendly hidden veggies.

Italian Sausage and Ricotta Manicotti

Robust sausage links with creamy ricotta and mozzarella for authentic Italian heartiness. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 lb Italian sausage, 2 cups ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, 2 cups marinara.
Crumble and cook sausage, blend with ricotta, stuff, sauce and cheese top, bake 375°F 35 minutes. Iron-rich from sausage, satisfying for cold nights.

Artichoke Parmesan Manicotti

Sophisticated with marinated artichokes, Parmesan, and cream cheese for a tangy, elegant bake. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 can artichokes chopped, 1.5 cups Parmesan, 1 cup cream cheese, 2 cups bechamel.
Mix artichokes with cheeses, stuff shells, bechamel layer, bake 375°F 30 minutes. Low-carb veggies with umami depth, great for impressing guests.

Mushroom Gorgonzola Manicotti

Earthy mushrooms paired with pungent gorgonzola and mozzarella for a gourmet cheesy depth. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups sliced mushrooms, 1 cup gorgonzola, 1.5 cups mozzarella, 2 cups cream sauce, thyme.
Sauté mushrooms with thyme, mix cheeses, stuff, sauce and top, bake 375°F 32 minutes. Immunity-boosting mushrooms, sophisticated flavor profile.

BBQ Pulled Pork Cheesy Manicotti

Smoky pulled pork with cheddar and gouda in BBQ sauce for a Southern-Italian mashup. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups pulled pork, 2 cups cheddar-gouda blend, 1.5 cups BBQ sauce, onion.
Mix pork with half cheese and BBQ, stuff, layer onions and cheese, bake 375°F 35 minutes. BBQ indulgence with tender pork protein, crowd-pleaser.

Lobster Mac-Style Manicotti

Luxurious lobster chunks with gruyere and cheddar evoking mac and cheese in manicotti form. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1.5 cups lobster meat, 2 cups gruyere-cheddar, 2 cups lobster bisque, butter.
Toss lobster in buttery cheeses, stuff, bisque top, bake 375°F 30 minutes. Seafood treat with omega-3s, special occasion worthy.

These 13 cheesy manicotti recipes are your ticket to pasta perfection—easy to prep, endlessly versatile, and guaranteed to wow. Grab your apron, invite friends over, and bake up some cheesy magic tonight; your taste buds (and family) will thank you!