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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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
Lasagna Roll Ups
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.
Kids loved them as well as the husband, who is a lasagna fanatic. Much “cleaner” way to make lasagna. We added this to our meal rotation!
I tried your variation with sausage and we inhaled it! SOOO GOOD!
Loved how these came out and will be making them again very soon!
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.
I would freeze prior to baking!
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…
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!
Thank you so much!!
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?
Bake time is 30 minutes. The other 30 minutes accounts for the cook time of making the sauce.
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!
I served these to company and they loved them! Put some grilled vegetables alongside them!
Such a delicious dish! I made with gf lasagna noodles and subbed in mushrooms instead of the meat since we are vegetarian 🙂 So yummy!
Such a tasty and fun way to serve lasagna. The whole family would enjoy this for sure.
What a fabulous recipe! It had so much flavor and was super easy. Will definitely be making again and again!
I love this variation of the classic lasagna! Can’t wait to try the recipe 🙂
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.
I have never had a lasagna roll up. They look perfectly delectable.
This was a great recipe. Everyone in the family enjoyed it!
I love this because the serving size is built right into the prep! Thanks!
We love them! Yes, time consuming and a little messy but well worth it at the end of it all.
Thanks for the tip for freezing these gems – I’m going to make a batch and freeze them for a busy weeknight – yum!
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. 🙂