Lasagna Roll-Ups are a fun and delicious spin on the traditional layered lasagna. Instead of stacking noodles, you spread the filling on each noodle, roll it up, and bake them to cheesy perfection. It’s all the comfort of lasagna in tidy, individual portions that are easy to serve and freeze.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the flavors of traditional lasagna in a quicker, neater format
- Great for meal prep and freezing
- Perfect individual portions for serving
- Easy to customize with your favorite fillings
- Ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Lasagna noodles
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
- Marinara sauce
- Onion
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and lay them flat on parchment or a clean surface.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add ground meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Stir in about 1 cup of marinara sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Spread a layer of ricotta mixture on each noodle, followed by a spoonful of meat sauce. Roll them up gently.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place roll-ups seam side down in the dish.
- Spoon remaining marinara over the top and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8–10 roll-ups (about 4 servings)
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
- Cheesy version: Add provolone, fontina, or goat cheese to the ricotta mix.
- Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for extra heat.
- Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups: Use shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, and spinach in place of the red sauce and beef.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles available at most grocery stores.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individually or in a tray. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave for quick single servings.
FAQs
Can I make Lasagna Roll-Ups ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble them a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake the next day.
Do I have to use ricotta cheese?
Ricotta is traditional, but you can substitute with cottage cheese or a blend of cheeses if preferred.
Can I freeze Lasagna Roll-Ups?
Absolutely. Freeze after assembling (before baking) or after baking. Both work well.
Can I use store-bought sauce?
Yes, a good quality marinara works great, or you can use homemade.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely. Swap the meat for vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
How many noodles do I need?
About 8–10 noodles, depending on your baking dish and the number of servings you want.
How do I keep the noodles from tearing?
Cook them al dente and handle gently. Laying them flat right after draining helps avoid sticking.
What’s the best baking dish for this recipe?
A 9×13-inch dish works well for holding 8–10 roll-ups snugly.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use two baking dishes or a larger casserole if needed.
Are Lasagna Roll-Ups good for meal prep?
They’re excellent for meal prep—easy to portion, store, and reheat throughout the week.
Conclusion
Lasagna Roll-Ups are the perfect make-ahead comfort food with a fun twist. Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals for the week, or hosting guests, these roll-ups are flavorful, filling, and easy to adapt to your taste. Give them a try and bring a creative spin to a classic Italian favorite.
Print
Lasagna Roll Ups
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 roll ups 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun twist on classic lasagna, with each noodle rolled around a cheesy ricotta filling, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella—perfect for portion control and make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
- 10 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a parchment-lined surface.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture onto each noodle. Roll each noodle up gently and place seam-side down in the prepared dish.
- Pour marinara sauce over the roll ups and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use spinach in the ricotta mixture for extra nutrition.
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
- Lasagna roll ups can be assembled ahead and baked later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
