Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the comforting flavor of traditional lasagna but in convenient individual servings.

• Faster baking and no resting time required—perfect for busy evenings.

• Freezer-friendly and ideal for make-ahead meal prep.

• Elegant and fun presentation; great for gatherings or simple family dinners.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Here’s what you’ll need:
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• Ground beef (about 1 pound, 85% lean)
• Marinara sauce (~24 oz)
• Diced onion (½ cup)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Sea salt (1 tsp, or to taste)
• Black pepper (½ tsp, or to taste)
• Dried oregano (½ tsp)
• Ricotta cheese (15 oz)
• 1 large egg
• Parmesan cheese (¼ cup, shredded)
• Mozzarella cheese (3 cups, shredded, divided)
• Parsley (¼ cup, chopped, plus more for garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).

2. Cook noodles until al dente, drain, then keep in cold water to prevent sticking.

3. Make meat sauce: Brown the ground beef, then add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano, cooking briefly. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer briefly. Spread ½ cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish.

4. Make cheese filling: Stir together ricotta, egg, Parmesan, 1½ cups mozzarella, and parsley.

5. On a baking sheet, lay noodles in a single layer. Spread about ¼ cup of cheese mixture across each, then add a heaping tablespoon of meat sauce down the center. Roll up each noodle and place seam-side down in the casserole.

6. Top with remaining meat sauce and the remaining 1½ cups mozzarella. Cover loosely with foil (use toothpicks if the foil touches the cheese).

7. Bake covered for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 12 lasagna roll-ups (serves 12)

• Prep Time: 30 minutes

• Cook Time: 42 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes

Variations

• Use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of beef for a flavor twist.

• Make a vegetarian version with mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or lentils.

• Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce for a creamy white version.

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.

• Mix fresh basil into the cheese filling for a fragrant touch.

Storage/Reheating

• Make-ahead: Assemble and bake ahead, then refrigerate or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Refrigerator: Store cooked and cooled roll-ups covered for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze cooked or unbaked roll-ups for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or bake in the oven at 350 °F until the cheese is melted and the roll-ups are hot.

FAQs

1. What makes these roll-ups freezer-friendly?

They can be assembled ahead of time and frozen, baking beautifully while preserving fresh flavor.

2. Can I substitute the meat?

Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage can be used instead of ground beef.

3. Should I cook extra noodles?

Yes, cook 2–3 extra noodles as backups in case some break during boiling.

4. Do I have to use three cheeses?

The three-cheese blend (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan) adds creaminess, but you can experiment with other cheeses.

5. How do I prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil?

Use toothpicks to keep the foil elevated above the cheese, or tent it so it doesn’t touch.

6. Can I use homemade marinara?

Absolutely—homemade or store-bought marinara both work well.

7. Is there a vegetarian version?

Yes, replace the meat sauce with a vegetable-based filling.

8. What side dishes pair well with this?

A crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables make great sides.

9. Can I prepare them the night before?

Yes, assemble, then refrigerate overnight before baking. Add 5–10 minutes to the bake time.

10. How does this compare to traditional lasagna?

It has the same flavors but in easy-to-serve, portion-controlled rolls with a quicker bake time.

Conclusion

Lasagna Roll-Ups pack all the comforting goodness of classic lasagna into neat, individually portioned rolls that bake faster, maintain their shape, and are ideal for batch cooking and freezing. Easy to make, crowd-friendly, and just as cheesy and satisfying as any layered pan—these roll-ups might just become your new go-to comfort meal.

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