Welcome to a culinary adventure that transforms classic comfort food into a delightful, individual serving experience! Forget the traditional layered lasagna and prepare to be enchanted by these incredible **Lasagna Roll Ups**. Each tender pasta sheet is generously filled with a creamy three-cheese blend and a rich, savory meat sauce, then carefully rolled and baked to golden perfection. They offer all the beloved flavors of lasagna in a fun, elegant, and perfectly portioned package, making them an instant hit with both kids and adults. Say goodbye to dinner ruts and hello to a fresh, exciting take on an Italian favorite!
If you’re eager to diversify your lasagna repertoire, don’t stop here! Explore other exciting variations like this Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna, offering a seasonal twist, or this vibrant Chicken Lasagna with Green Chile and Cheese for a kick of flavor.
Even our family’s most cherished dishes can sometimes benefit from a refreshing change. While some meals never get old, introducing new ways to enjoy them keeps dinner exciting and prevents mealtime monotony. That’s precisely where Lasagna Roll Ups shine!
These individual portions are a brilliant departure from the classic lasagna casserole. Instead of stacking layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese, you spread the creamy ricotta filling and hearty meat sauce onto each lasagna noodle, then roll them into neat, compact spirals. This method creates twelve beautifully portioned lasagna rolls, each a complete and satisfying meal in itself. It’s a delightful and less messy way to enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna, turning an ordinary meal into something truly special.
Why Lasagna Roll Ups Are a Game Changer for Family Dinners
Lasagna Roll Ups aren’t just a delicious meal; they offer several practical benefits that make them a standout choice for busy weeknights or entertaining guests:
- Perfect Portion Control: Say goodbye to awkward slicing and uneven servings. Each roll-up is a perfectly portioned individual serving, making meal planning and serving a breeze. This is especially great for families where everyone wants a fair share!
- Easier to Serve: No more struggling to pull a neat slice from a hot, gooey casserole dish. Simply lift a roll-up with tongs or a spatula, and you have a ready-to-eat masterpiece.
- Visually Appealing: The spiraled layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce create an attractive presentation that elevates any dinner table. They look fancy without requiring extra effort!
- Less Mess: Individual rolls mean less crumbling and mess on the plate, making them ideal for little hands or for more formal gatherings.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the fillings to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Add spinach, change the meat, or experiment with different cheese blends.
Essential Ingredients for Delectable Lasagna Roll Ups
Crafting the perfect Lasagna Roll Ups begins with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Three-Cheese Blend: The heart of the roll-ups! We use a classic, flavorful combination of:
- Ricotta Cheese: Provides a creamy, soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that forms the base of our filling. Opt for whole milk ricotta for the richest taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers that irresistible melty, stretchy quality and a mild, milky taste that balances the other strong flavors. We use it both in the filling and on top for a golden crust.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty, umami depth that elevates the entire dish. Freshly grated is always superior to pre-shredded for maximum flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: More than just a garnish, fresh parsley brightens the cheese filling with a hint of herbaceous flavor. It adds a touch of color and a fresh counterpoint to the rich sauce.
- Egg: A single large egg acts as a binder for the ricotta filling, helping it hold its shape during rolling and baking and preventing it from becoming too watery.
- Flavorful Seasonings:
- Italian Seasoning: A convenient blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, providing a quintessential Italian aroma and taste.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Season generously, tasting as you go.
- Cooking Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point that you enjoy cooking with. Olive oil is a classic choice for Italian dishes, but avocado oil or vegetable oil also work well for sautéing.
- Aromatics (Onion & Garlic): The foundational flavor builders for our rich meat sauce.
- Onion: Diced and sautéed until soft and browned, it provides a sweet, savory base.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds pungent, aromatic depth that is indispensable in Italian cooking.
- Robust Meat Mixture: For the ultimate flavor, we highly recommend a blend of:
- Lean Ground Beef: Provides a hearty, classic base for the meat sauce.
- Italian Sausage (Sweet or Hot): The star flavor! Whether you choose sweet or hot, Italian sausage infuses the sauce with incredible depth from its unique spice blend. Removing the casings allows it to crumble beautifully into the sauce. While you can use all beef or all sausage, the combination truly creates the best flavor profile.
- Quality Marinara Sauce: The backbone of your meat sauce.
- You can use your favorite homemade marinara sauce for a fresh, vibrant taste.
- For convenience, a good quality store-bought marinara sauce is perfectly acceptable. Brands like Rao’s are known for their rich flavor and quality ingredients.
- Lasagna Pasta: You’ll need traditional lasagna noodles that require boiling. Important: “No-boil” lasagna noodles are not suitable for this recipe as they won’t soften and become pliable enough to roll without breaking. Always boil an extra couple of noodles just in case one tears or breaks during handling – it’s better to have too many than too few!
How to Prepare Perfect Lasagna Roll Ups: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting these delicious Lasagna Roll Ups is a straightforward process when broken down into manageable steps. Follow this guide for a seamless cooking experience:
STEP 1: Cook the Lasagna Noodles to Al Dente Perfection
Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt (this seasons the pasta from within!), and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your lasagna noodles, ensuring they don’t stick together. Cook them according to package directions until they are al dente – firm to the bite but pliable. Immediately drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent them from sticking. Lay them flat, without overlapping, on sheets of parchment paper or waxed paper. This crucial step keeps them from drying out and sticking while you prepare the fillings.
STEP 2: Prepare the Creamy Ricotta Cheese Filling
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, three-quarters of a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, one large egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Cover the bowl and set it aside, allowing the flavors to meld.
STEP 3: Sauté the Aromatics for the Meat Sauce
Heat your chosen cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. A cast iron skillet works wonderfully for even browning. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until it softens and turns a lovely golden brown, which should take about 7-10 minutes. This browning develops a deeper, sweeter flavor. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
STEP 4: Brown the Meat Mixture
Add the lean ground beef and the Italian sausage (casings removed) to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the meat with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking until both the beef and sausage are thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to prevent a greasy sauce.
STEP 5: Simmer the Rich Marinara Meat Sauce
Pour the marinara sauce and half a cup of water into the skillet with the browned meat and aromatics. Stir everything together to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and the flavors have melded beautifully. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
STEP 6: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Spread a thin, even layer of the prepared meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. This layer prevents the lasagna roll ups from sticking and adds flavor from the bottom up.
STEP 7: Assemble the Lasagna Roll Ups – Fill Each Noodle
Take one cooked lasagna noodle and lay it flat on your clean work surface. Spoon approximately two to three tablespoons of the ricotta cheese filling evenly down the center of the noodle, leaving a small border on the edges. Ensure the filling is spread thinly enough to allow for easy rolling without overfilling.
STEP 8: Add a Layer of Meat Sauce to Each Noodle
Next, spoon about 1/4 cup of the flavorful meat sauce over the cheese filling on each noodle. This ensures every bite of your roll-up is packed with both creamy cheese and savory meat sauce. Remember, you won’t use all the meat sauce at this stage; save a good portion for topping the assembled rolls.
STEP 9: Carefully Roll Each Lasagna Noodle
Working with one noodle at a time, gently but firmly roll the noodle up from one end to the other, creating a tight spiral. Be careful not to squeeze the filling out. The pliability of the al dente noodles should make this relatively easy.
STEP 10: Arrange the Roll Ups in the Baking Dish
Place each rolled lasagna noodle seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, nestled closely together. Continue this process until all 12 noodles are filled and rolled, arranging them into neat rows (typically 4 rows of 3 rolls each in a 9×13-inch dish).
STEP 11: Top with Remaining Sauce and Cheese
Once all the roll ups are in the dish, spoon the remaining rich meat sauce evenly over the tops of the rolls. Make sure each roll is coated generously. Then, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire dish, ensuring a beautiful, cheesy crust will form during baking.
STEP 12: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). To prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil during baking, spray one side of a piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it, sprayed side down, over the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is thoroughly melted. Remove the foil and, if desired, turn your oven to broil for a few minutes (watch carefully!) to achieve a beautifully golden-brown and slightly crispy cheese topping. Allow the lasagna rolls to rest for about 10 minutes after baking before serving. This allows the internal structure to set, making them easier to handle and preventing the filling from spilling out.
Expert Tips for Crafting the Best Lasagna Roll Ups
Achieving perfectly tender, flavorful, and easy-to-handle lasagna roll ups is simple with these additional tips:
- Prioritize Noodle Preparation: Always start by boiling the lasagna noodles first. This allows them ample time to cook to al dente, cool slightly, and become pliable enough for rolling. Handling warm, but not hot, noodles is much easier.
- Prevent Sticky Noodles: After draining, rinsing the noodles with cold water is essential. It stops the cooking process and prevents them from sticking together. Laying them flat on parchment or waxed paper (not overlapping) also helps maintain their individual integrity.
- Sneak in Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and add more flavor by incorporating finely chopped, cooked spinach (ensure it’s well-drained to avoid excess moisture) into the cheese filling. Other finely diced vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini can also be added to the meat sauce.
- Halving the Recipe (Egg Tip): If you wish to make a smaller batch, this recipe halves beautifully, with one exception: the egg. To halve an egg, crack it into a small bowl, beat it lightly with a fork, and then measure out half of the mixture.
- Enhance Store-Bought Sauce: If using jarred marinara, you can elevate its flavor by simmering it with a pinch of sugar (to cut acidity), a splash of red wine, or additional fresh herbs like basil and oregano.
- Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to load up the noodles, overfilling can make them difficult to roll and cause the filling to squeeze out during baking. A modest, even layer is key.
- Rest Before Serving: Allowing the baked lasagna rolls to rest for 10-15 minutes after coming out of the oven is crucial. This helps the cheese and filling set, making the roll ups easier to serve and preventing them from falling apart.
Serving Suggestions for Your Lasagna Roll Ups
These hearty Lasagna Roll Ups are a complete meal on their own, but pairing them with a few simple sides can create a truly memorable dinner:
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, light salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lasagna.
- Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up any extra meat sauce.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: A side of broccoli, asparagus, or green beans adds a healthy and colorful element.
- Soup: For a more substantial meal, a simple tomato or minestrone soup can be a great starter.
Creative Variations to Elevate Your Roll Ups
Feel free to get creative with your Lasagna Roll Ups! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Vegetarian Delight: Omit the meat entirely! Sauté mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini, then mix them into the marinara sauce or directly into the ricotta filling. You can also add more spinach for a Popeye-approved version.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, use hot Italian sausage, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce, or even stir in some chopped jalapeños to the cheese filling.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with other cheese combinations. Try provolone, fontina, or even a smoked mozzarella for a unique flavor profile.
- Pesto Infusion: Swirl a tablespoon of pesto into the ricotta filling for a bright, herbaceous twist.
- Chicken & Mushroom: Replace ground beef and sausage with cooked, shredded chicken and sautéed mushrooms for a lighter, yet equally delicious, white meat option.
Make Ahead & Freezing for Effortless Meals
Lasagna Roll Ups are an excellent candidate for meal prep, making your busy weeknights much smoother!
- Make Ahead (Refrigeration): Assemble the lasagna roll ups completely as directed in the recipe, but do not bake them. Once assembled in the baking dish, cover it tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time since they’ll be going into the oven cold.
- Freezing for Future Feasts: These roll ups freeze beautifully! Assemble them in a freezer-safe baking dish, then cover tightly with a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, transfer the dish to the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Alternatively, you can bake from frozen (covered) for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes at 375ºF, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbling and golden. You may need to add extra cook time depending on your oven and the degree of freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasagna Roll Ups
Here are answers to some common questions you might have:
Q: Can I use store-bought pre-cooked ground beef?
A: Yes, if you have pre-cooked ground beef, you can use it. However, you’ll still want to sauté the onions and garlic, then add the cooked beef and sausage to simmer with the marinara for the best flavor integration.
Q: What if I don’t have Italian sausage?
A: While the combination of ground beef and Italian sausage provides the deepest flavor, you can use all ground beef. Consider adding a pinch of fennel seeds and a dash of red pepper flakes to the beef to mimic some of the Italian sausage flavor.
Q: How do I prevent my noodles from tearing when rolling?
A: Ensure your noodles are cooked truly al dente – pliable but not mushy. Rinsing them in cold water immediately after cooking helps them firm up slightly. Work gently and spread the filling evenly to avoid thin spots that might tear.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! Many brands now offer gluten-free lasagna noodles that can be used in this recipe. Follow the cooking instructions for the specific gluten-free pasta you choose.
Q: How long do leftovers last?
A: Leftover Lasagna Roll Ups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
Discover More Delicious Lasagna Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these Lasagna Roll Ups, be sure to explore more fantastic variations of this classic Italian dish:
My Favorite Lasagna
One-Skillet Lasagna
Lasagna Soup
Spaghetti Lasagna
Mock Lasagna (Pizza Pie)
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Lasagna Roll Ups
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Cheese Filling:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 28 oz jar marinara (or use homemade)
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Lasagna:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Lay flat on parchment paper or wax paper.
- Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, 3/4 cup mozzarella, parmesan, parsley, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Add in the ground beef and the sausage. Cook, breaking the meat up well, until the meat is cooked through and brown. Drain any fat, if needed. Add the marinara sauce and the water and stir to combine. Let the sauce cook until slightly reduced, stirring frequently, about 10-15 minutes.
- Spread just enough of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Spread an even layer of the cheese sauce down the center of each noodle. Top with about 1/4 cup of the meat sauce.
- Working with one noodle at a time, roll the noodle up as tightly as possible without squeezing the filling out. Place the roll in the prepared baking dish. Repeat, making 4 rows with 3 rolls on each row.
- Spread the remaining meat sauce over the tops of the rolls, then top with the 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Spray a piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place the foil on the dish, sprayed side down (to keep the cheese from sticking to the foil).
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 35 minutes. Remove the foil and turn the oven to broil and let it cook just until the cheese browned.
- Let the lasagna rolls sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 roll plus sauce, Calories: 372 kcal (19%), Carbohydrates: 24g (8%), Protein: 24g (48%), Fat: 20g (31%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 74mg (25%), Sodium: 727mg (32%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%)