Lasagna Roll-Ups take all the delicious, cheesy, saucy comfort of classic lasagna and turn it into fun, individualized portions that bake up bubbly and golden. This dish is a weeknight hero — it comes together quickly, looks impressive on the plate, and packs plenty of flavor from creamy ricotta, sautéed spinach, and vibrant marinara. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping a cozy meal for friends, Lasagna Roll-Ups are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with the magic of traditional Italian-American favorites and a playful twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a distinct and wonderful role, from the essential pasta to the blend of cheeses and herbs. Each adds either the perfect bit of tang, creaminess, freshness, or heartiness to your Lasagna Roll-Ups, ensuring no bite is ever bland or boring!
- Lasagna noodles (12): The backbone of your roll-ups holds all the creamy filling and absorbs the luscious sauce for that classic pasta texture.
- Ricotta cheese (2 cups): Adds rich, fluffy creaminess to the filling and keeps each bite satisfyingly decadent.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups, divided): Melts gorgeously for those iconic cheese pulls; save some for topping!
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Brings sharp, nutty depth to balance the creamy ricotta.
- Large egg (1): Binds the filling together so it rolls up beautifully and doesn’t ooze out.
- Fresh spinach, chopped and sautéed (2 cups): Delivers a pop of green, subtle earthiness, and a boost of nutrition.
- Marinara sauce (2 cups): Bathes the roll-ups in tangy, herby goodness and keeps things ultra moist.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Packs instant old-world flavor with a mix of classic herbs.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Dials up the savoriness without overwhelming the filling.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Brightens all the cheesy, spinachy flavors.
- Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a gentle warmth in the background.
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional): Lends a touch of color and a fresh, aromatic finish as a garnish.
How to Make Lasagna Roll-Ups
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F to make sure it’s good and hot by the time you’re ready to bake. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a swirl of olive oil or a quick spritz of cooking spray, so your Lasagna Roll-Ups don’t stick and clean-up stays a breeze.
Step 2: Cook Those Noodles
Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook your lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain them gently to avoid tearing, and lay each noodle out flat on a clean towel or cutting board. If you’re using oven-ready noodles, soften them in warm water for a few minutes so they’re pliable for rolling.
Step 3: Whip Up the Ricotta-Spinach Filling
While the noodles cool, grab a medium mixing bowl and combine the ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, the egg, sautéed spinach, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until evenly mixed—the mixture should be creamy, speckled with green, and hard to resist sneaking a spoonful!
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Now comes the fun part! Spread about 2 tablespoons of your creamy ricotta-spinach mixture over each noodle, going all the way to the edges. Starting at one end, roll up each noodle gently but snugly; don’t squeeze too tightly, or the filling will squish out. Place each roll seam-side down so they stay tucked while baking.
Step 5: Assemble and Top
Spoon ½ cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of your prepped baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Nestle the filled and rolled noodles side by side in the dish. Pour the rest of the marinara evenly over the top, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella all across the roll-ups for maximum cheesy coverage.
Step 6: Bake and Finish
Cover the baking dish with foil and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes to let everything meld and the cheese melt. After that, remove the foil and bake for an extra 10 minutes until the tops are bubbly, golden, and slightly crisp. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley just before serving for a burst of color and freshness.
How to Serve Lasagna Roll-Ups
Garnishes
Once you pull your Lasagna Roll-Ups, piping hot and bubbling, from the oven, shower them with chopped fresh basil or parsley. These little green flecks add a cooling herbal note and make the whole dish look irresistibly inviting.
Side Dishes
Pair your Lasagna Roll-Ups with a crisp mixed salad, a pile of garlicky roasted broccoli, or some warm, crusty bread to mop up every bit of that glorious sauce. A drizzle of good olive oil and a dusting of extra Parmesan never hurt either!
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with presentation by serving each Lasagna Roll-Up on a bed of sauce, or cut them in half diagonally for a pretty pinwheel effect on the plate. For parties, go bite-sized by making mini roll-ups with smaller noodles—everyone loves a hands-on, shareable dish!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully! Let the Lasagna Roll-Ups cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerated, they stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days—making them perfect for lunch or another cozy dinner.
Freezing
To freeze, simply assemble the roll-ups (uncooked) in a freezer-safe baking dish, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re craving homemade pasta, bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time so everything heats through.
Reheating
Reheat single servings in the microwave until hot, or warm a whole batch in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for about 20 minutes. For a freshly-baked texture, uncover for the last few minutes to get that irresistible cheesy topping.
FAQs
Can I add meat to the filling for my Lasagna Roll-Ups?
Absolutely! If you’re craving something heartier, just brown some ground beef or sausage, drain, and mix it in with the cheese filling before rolling. It’ll create a classic meat-lovers version everyone will devour.
What’s the best way to keep the noodles from tearing?
Cook the noodles just shy of fully done (al dente), then handle them gently and lay them flat to cool before filling and rolling. Using a wide spatula to move them helps prevent rips or sticking, making assembly much smoother.
Can I make Lasagna Roll-Ups gluten-free?
Yes, you can! Just use your favorite gluten-free lasagna noodles and check that your marinara sauce is certified gluten-free. All the other filling ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you won’t miss out on flavor or texture.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Definitely. Thaw and squeeze out as much water as possible from the frozen spinach (you’ll want about 1 cup thawed), then mix it right into your cheese filling. It’s a handy shortcut with the same lovely flavor.
How far ahead can I assemble Lasagna Roll-Ups before baking?
You can assemble the whole dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. This makes entertaining or busy weeknights so much easier—just pop the dish in the oven and dinner is served!
Final Thoughts
I hope these Lasagna Roll-Ups bring you the same joy and comfort they do for me! They’re everything you love about lasagna, packaged in a fun, approachable way that’s just as impressive for guests as it is satisfying for a family dinner. Try them once and they just might become a new go-to in your kitchen!
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Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lasagna Roll-Ups are a delightful twist on classic lasagna, with cheesy, spinach-filled rolls baked in marinara sauce. A comforting and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Lasagna Roll-Ups:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped and sautéed)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the lasagna noodles: Cook the noodles according to package instructions, then drain and lay them flat.
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach, seasonings until combined.
- Fill and roll: Spread cheese mixture over each noodle, roll them up tightly.
- Assemble: Spread marinara sauce in the dish, place roll-ups seam-side down, pour remaining sauce over, top with mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 20 mins, then uncover and bake for another 10 mins.
- Serve: Garnish with basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can add cooked ground beef or sausage for a meaty version.
- Use oven-ready noodles to skip boiling.
- This recipe freezes well—assemble ahead and bake from frozen with extra cook time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 roll-ups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
