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Home » Pasta » Lasagna Roll Ups

November 9, 2019 By Sara 21 Comments

Lasagna Roll Ups

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These lasagna roll ups are lasagna noodles that are topped with ricotta cheese and meat sauce, then rolled up and baked to golden brown perfection. A unique and elegant way to serve lasagna!

When I’m looking to entertain a crowd, I serve a hearty meal such as chicken spaghetti, chicken Alfredo bake or these simple yet satisfying lasagna roll ups.

Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe | Lasagna Rolls #lasagna #pasta #beef #cheese #dinner #dinneratthezoo Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe | Lasagna Rolls #lasagna #pasta #beef #cheese #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Lasagna roll ups with meat sauce, served with a side of green beans.

Have you ever tried lasagna roll ups? It’s the same concept and flavors as lasagna, except everything is bundled up into individual rolls which makes for the perfect serving size. This dish can even be prepared in advance, which makes it perfect for special occasions when you need to feed a larger group of people.

How do you make lasagna roll ups?

Lasagna roll ups have the same components as regular lasagna: sauce, cheese and pasta. To make this recipe, first cook up some ground beef in a pan along with onions and garlic. Pour marinara sauce in the pan and let the whole everything simmer. While the sauce is cooking, make a cheese filling by combining ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Spread the ricotta mixture over each lasagna noodle, then add a layer of meat sauce on top. Roll up each noodle, then place it in a baking pan. Add more sauce over the top, along with shredded cheese, then baked until golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve and enjoy!

Meat sauce in a pan.

Tips for the perfect lasagna roll ups

  • When you cook large lasagna noodles, try to keep them from sticking together. Noodles that stick together may tear. In order to keep the noodles from sticking together, make sure to stir them occasionally while they are boiling. You can run some cold water over the noodles after draining them to help keep them separated.
  • Don’t use packaged shredded cheese. It tends not to melt as well as freshly shredded cheese due to added anti-caking agents and preservatives.
  • I recommend using 90% lean ground beef. It has plenty of flavor, but is not overly greasy.
  • Lasagna roll ups can be assembled up to 8 hours before you plan to bake them.

Lasagna noodles topped with ricotta and meat sauce.

Lasagna roll variations

This recipe is amazing as-is, but you can customize it to include your favorite flavors.

  • Veggie Lovers: Omit the ground beef and instead use 1 1/2 cups of diced cooked vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, zucchini and bell peppers.
  • Spinach: Add 1/2 cup cooked and finely chopped spinach to the ricotta mixture. Make sure to squeeze any excess water from the spinach.
  • Meat Lovers: Add 4 ounces of mild or hot Italian sausage to the sauce.
  • Pizza Lovers: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni to the sauce. You can also add other pizza toppings such as olives, mushrooms and bell peppers.
  • Chicken: Swap out the ground beef for 1 1/2 cups finely chopped grilled chicken.

Lasagna noodles rolled up in a baking dish and topped with sauce and melted cheese.

Can you freeze lasagna?

You can freeze lasagna. In fact, these lasagna rolls are particularly good for freezing as they are in individual portions. Just individually package the lasagna rolls and store them in an airtight container. Frozen rolls will stay good for 3 months.

Baked lasagna roll ups topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

These fun yet elegant lasagna rolls are easy to serve and fun to eat. This may become your new go-to lasagna recipe!

More delicious Italian recipes

  • Chicken Alfredo Pizza
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Zucchini Lasagna
  • Pasta Pomodoro
  • Easy Calzones
Lasagna roll ups with meat sauce, served with a side of green beans.
Print Pin
5 from 15 votes

Lasagna Roll Ups

These lasagna roll ups are lasagna noodles that are topped with ricotta cheese and meat sauce, then rolled up and baked to golden brown perfection. A unique and elegant way to serve lasagna!
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Keyword lasagna roll ups, lasagna rolls
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 319kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the sauce

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 1/3 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the ricotta mixture

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For assembly

  • 12 lasagna noodles cooked according to package directions
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray.

For the sauce

  • Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cook the meat, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, for 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the onion to the pan and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Pour the marinara sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes.

For the ricotta mixture

  • Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, then stir until smooth

For assembly

  • Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish.
  • Lay the lasagna noodles out on a flat surface. Spread a layer of ricotta mixture over each noodle.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the meat sauce for topping the rolls. Spread the remaining meat sauce over each noodle.
  • Roll up each noodle, then arrange them in the baking dish. Spoon the reserved sauce over the top and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake covered for 20 minutes, then bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and starting to brown. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 2mg

Filed Under: Dinner, Pasta Tagged With: Cheese, Ground Beef, Italian food

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Comments

  1. Robin says

    August 17, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    5 stars
    Loved how these came out and will be making them again very soon!

    Reply
  2. Alanna says

    July 10, 2020 at 10:47 pm

    These look delicious! If I make them to freeze, would you recommend freezing them before baking or after baking? Thank you in advance for the recipe and your time replying.

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 11, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      I would freeze prior to baking!

      Reply
  3. Keri says

    July 1, 2020 at 8:06 am

    5 stars
    Love lasagna roll-ups…if I make these to freeze them, do you have advice on how to cook them after freezing? Preferably microwave (since I’m sure the kids will be wanting more) but easy oven directions would be fine also…

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 1, 2020 at 9:01 am

      You could microwave frozen rolls for 2-3 minutes or bake in a covered pan at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through!

      Reply
      • Keri says

        July 2, 2020 at 1:47 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
  4. Megan says

    March 18, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    Am I missing a longer bake time? You state 1hour for bake and 1 hour 30 mins total. Are these supposed to be in the oven for longer than 30 mins?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      March 18, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Bake time is 30 minutes. The other 30 minutes accounts for the cook time of making the sauce.

      Reply
  5. Becky says

    February 9, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! WILL be making this again for sure! I did substitute cream cheese for the ricotta and it came out good. Had some cheese mixture left over that I smeared on top of the rolls before I topped off with the sauce. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  6. Deb says

    January 29, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    5 stars
    I served these to company and they loved them! Put some grilled vegetables alongside them!

    Reply
  7. Cindy Gordon says

    November 12, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious dish! I made with gf lasagna noodles and subbed in mushrooms instead of the meat since we are vegetarian 🙂 So yummy!

    Reply
  8. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    November 12, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    Such a tasty and fun way to serve lasagna. The whole family would enjoy this for sure.

    Reply
  9. kim says

    November 12, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    5 stars
    What a fabulous recipe! It had so much flavor and was super easy. Will definitely be making again and again!

    Reply
  10. Chris Collins says

    November 12, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    I love this variation of the classic lasagna! Can’t wait to try the recipe 🙂

    Reply
  11. Krissy Allori says

    November 10, 2019 at 6:46 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. I also love all the tips you gave for switching it up and adding to or taking away from the recipe to suit your preferences.

    Reply
  12. Andrea Metlika says

    November 10, 2019 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    I have never had a lasagna roll up. They look perfectly delectable.

    Reply
  13. Beks says

    November 10, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    5 stars
    This was a great recipe. Everyone in the family enjoyed it!

    Reply
  14. Haley D. Williams says

    November 10, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars
    I love this because the serving size is built right into the prep! Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Lori says

    November 10, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    We love them! Yes, time consuming and a little messy but well worth it at the end of it all.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Allen says

    November 10, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the tip for freezing these gems – I’m going to make a batch and freeze them for a busy weeknight – yum!

    Reply
  17. Anita says

    November 10, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so good. I love that you are using three different cheese, which must make the lasagna very delicious. I’m going to make this for my family. 🙂

    Reply

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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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