String Cheese Manicotti is a fun twist on classic baked pasta, featuring gooey string cheese in every bite. With simple ingredients and ready in 45 minutes, it's the ultimate weeknight dinner for busy families.
If you loved this manicotti with string cheese, you'll also enjoy our stuffed manicotti recipe for another cheesy, baked pasta favorite.
Quick Summary
- Time: 20 min prep + 25 min cook = 45 min total
- Flavor: Savory meat sauce, gooey string cheese, and melted mozzarella
- Serve With: Garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables
- Kid-Friendly: Everyone will love these cheesy, fun-to-eat pasta shells
- Make Ahead & Freezer-Friendly: Assemble in advance or bake from frozen for a convenient weeknight meal
Summarize and Save This Content On
I always keep string cheese stuffed manicotti in my weeknight rotation because it's an easy, cheesy dinner that comes together quickly. Each pasta shell stuffed with a gooey string cheese stick melts perfectly in the oven, making it a hit with both kids and adults alike, just like this easy ravioli bake.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This easy baked manicotti is family-friendly, budget-friendly, and simple enough for anyone to make, even if you're new to cooking. Each pasta shell is stuffed with a gooey string cheese stick and baked in a rich, flavorful meat sauce, creating a cheesy, comforting dinner that's perfect for weeknights or casual family gatherings. You don't need ricotta, and the prep is quick and straightforward, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients
- Manicotti pasta shells: Use 12 large shells and cook them according to the package directions to avoid splitting.
- Ground beef: Ground beef adds a savory flavor; you can swap it for ground turkey for a lighter version. If you love using ground beef in pasta, check out our ground beef stroganoff for another delicious dinner idea.
- Vegetables: Finely diced yellow onion softens quickly and adds natural sweetness, while chopped baby spinach is added at the end to wilt slightly, giving the dish a touch of freshness.
- Pasta sauce: Use a flavorful jar of sauce; one with herbs adds a rich, savory base that complements the cheese perfectly.
- String cheese: The star of this string cheese manicotti recipe, it melts beautifully inside each shell for gooey, cheesy bites.
- Mozzarella cheese: Sprinkled on top, it creates a bubbly, golden layer that adds extra creaminess and flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip the ground beef and use sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based meat substitute for a hearty, meat-free version.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the manicotti shells for gluten-free pasta shells to make the dish safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Cheese Swap: Try provolone, fontina, or a blend of Italian cheeses instead of mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Extra Veggies: Finely dice carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini and stir them into the sauce. Keeping the pieces small keeps the dish kid-friendly while adding extra nutrition.
- Spicy Manicotti: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or mix in some diced jalapeños for a subtle kick.
How to Make String Cheese Manicotti
Making this easy manicotti with string cheese is simple and comes together in under an hour. To start, preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray so the manicotti won't stick.
- Step 1: Cook the pasta. Boil the manicotti shells in salted water according to the package directions. Drain them carefully and set them aside so they're ready to stuff.
- Step 2: Make the sauce. Cook the ground beef and diced vegetables in a large skillet until the beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and pasta sauce, season with black pepper, and stir in the spinach until just wilted.
- Step 3: Assemble the manicotti. Spoon half of the sauce into the bottom of the baking dish. Stuff each shell with a string cheese stick and arrange them in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
- Step 4: Bake. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 5 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with homemade biscuits and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Expert Tips
- Cook the pasta just right: Boil the manicotti shells until al dente so they hold up when stuffed and baked.
- Stuff gently: Slide a cheese stick into each shell carefully to prevent tearing and ensure your manicotti with cheese sticks stays intact.
- Make ahead for convenience: Assemble the manicotti a few hours before baking and keep it refrigerated. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time when ready.
- Keep the sauce thick: Drain any excess liquid from the ground beef before mixing with the sauce to avoid a watery dish.
- Store and reheat safely: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, covered with foil, at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave in short intervals until warm.
Serving Suggestions
- This manicotti stuffed with string cheese makes a cheesy, comforting dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with a crisp Caesar salad and warm bread knots for a complete meal.
- For holidays or casual dinner parties, serve with a side of bacon-wrapped asparagus or a fresh pesto orzo pasta salad to add color and flavor to the table.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can freeze the manicotti either before or after baking. Assemble them in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F, adding 10-15 extra minutes if unbaked, or reheat cooked manicotti until warm and bubbly.
A flavorful jar of marinara or tomato-based pasta sauce works best for this recipe. Look for one with herbs like basil, oregano, or garlic for extra depth.
Cook the shells just until al dente, and handle them gently when stuffing. Avoid overfilling the shells to keep them intact. If they do happen to split, place it seam-side down, spoon extra sauce over the crack, and let the melted cheese and sauce seal it as it bakes.
More Delicious Easy Pasta Dinner Recipes
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String Cheese Manicotti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 manicotti pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion finely diced
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 24 ounce jar of pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups baby spinach chopped
- 12 pieces string cheese
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large pot over high heat, boil a pot of salted water and cook the manicotti according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onion and ground beef until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Add the garlic and saute for 3 seconds, then drain off excess grease.
- Add pasta sauce and black pepper. Stir until well combined, then bring to a simmer. Add spinach and stir in. Cook until the spinach is wilted and then remove from the heat.
- Add half of the meat sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Then stuff each manicotti with 1 piece of string cheese and place in the baking dish.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Then, cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Then remove foil and continue to bake for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Cook the manicotti shells until al dente to prevent tearing.
- Slide each cheese stick gently into the pasta to keep the shells intact.
- Drain excess liquid from the meat and vegetables to keep the sauce thick.
- Cover the dish with foil while baking to melt the cheese evenly.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
So easy to make with the string cheese and the sauce is so good.