Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Introduction

Lasagna roll ups are a fun and delicious twist on classic lasagna, perfect for individual servings and easy to eat. Filled with a flavorful meat sauce and creamy cheese mixture, they make a comforting meal that’s sure to impress family and friends.

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles (cooked to package instructions)
• 16 oz ground beef (85% lean)
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste for red sauce)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped, plus more to garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375˚F. Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and then fill the pot with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula (about 2 minutes). Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, cooking for another minute. Pour in marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, then turn off heat. Spread 1/2 cup of this meat sauce over the bottom of a casserole dish.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir well to form the cheese mixture.
4. Step 4: Arrange the cooked noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to keep them from sticking. Spread about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture evenly over each noodle. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of meat sauce down the center of each noodle. Carefully roll up each noodle and place the rolls seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish.
5. Step 5: Spread the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top of the lasagna roll ups. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Cover the dish with foil, ensuring the foil doesn’t touch the cheese (use toothpicks to hold it up if needed to avoid sticking).
6. Step 6: Bake covered for 40 minutes at 375˚F. Remove the foil and broil for 2–3 minutes more until the cheese is lightly golden and bubbly. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
• Use no-boil noodles for an easier shortcut, adjusting baking time slightly to ensure noodles are tender.
• Add fresh basil or Italian seasoning to the cheese mixture for extra flavor.
• To make ahead, assemble the roll ups and refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours before baking.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm, or cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350˚F until heated through. You can also freeze cooked roll ups for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade marinara sauce?

Absolutely! Homemade marinara will add a fresh, rich flavor to the dish. Just use the same amount as called for in the recipe.

What if I don’t have ricotta cheese?

You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese blended until smooth. Some people also enjoy cream cheese mixed with mozzarella for a richer filling.

Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 143 reviews

This delicious Lasagna Roll Ups recipe transforms classic lasagna into a fun, handheld dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Cooked lasagna noodles are filled with a savory meat sauce and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, rolled up, topped with marinara and melted mozzarella, then baked to perfection until golden and bubbly.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Lasagna Noodles

• 12 lasagna noodles (cooked to package instructions)

Meat Sauce

• 16 oz ground beef (85% lean)
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste for red sauce)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

Cheese Mixture

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped, plus more to garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles: Preheat your oven to 375˚F. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and immediately transfer them to a pot filled with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the meat sauce: In a large pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks for about 2 minutes until no longer pink. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, sauté for another minute. Pour in the marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat. Spread half a cup of this meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a casserole dish.
3. Mix the cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, the egg, parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Assemble the roll ups: Lay out the cooked noodles in a single layer on a large baking sheet to keep them from sticking and for easy assembly. Spread about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture evenly over each noodle. Add a heaping tablespoon of meat sauce in a strip down the center of each noodle. Carefully roll each noodle up and place seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish.
5. Add toppings: Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the top of the roll-ups, then sprinkle the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over them. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese. To prevent sticking, you can place toothpicks in the rolls to hold the foil away if your dish is shallow.
6. Bake and brown: Bake the covered dish at 375˚F for 40 minutes. After baking, remove the foil and broil the roll-ups for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. Remove from oven and garnish with extra chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Do not overcook the noodles; keep them al dente so they hold together when rolled.
• To avoid the foil touching the cheese while baking, use toothpicks to lift the foil slightly above the roll-ups.
• Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meat option.
• Let the roll-ups rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help them set before serving.
• You can prepare the roll-ups a day ahead, keep covered in the fridge, and bake when ready.

Keywords: lasagna roll ups, Italian dinner, baked pasta, comfort food, ricotta cheese roll ups, meat sauce pasta