This Lasagna Roll Ups recipe has all the flavors of traditional lasagna, but with the noodles rolled instead of layered. It’s made easy with ground beef, three kinds of cheese, and jarred pasta sauce.
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A Fun Twist on Classic Lasagna
I wouldn’t call this an easy version of lasagna because the process is much the same. Pasta is cooked, ground meat is browned, and assembly is required.
Instead of layering the noodles, you spread the filling onto each one, roll it up, and place it in a casserole dish. Then top with sauce and cheese and bake.
Ingredient Notes
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
- Meat: Meat: I use ground beef, but ground Italian sausage, chicken, or turkey can be used. I haven’t tested these substitutions myself but see no reason they wouldn’t work.
- Sauce: We like jarred sauce and use different brands for different dishes so all our pasta dishes don’t taste the same. You can also use homemade marinara sauce; you’ll need 4 cups.
- Cheeses: I use ricotta, pre-shredded mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan. I find that mozzarella shredded from a block adds too much moisture, so I prefer pre-shredded for this recipe.
- Spices: This dish is seasoned simply with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Egg: One large egg helps bind the cheese filling together.
How This Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe Comes Together
Here’s a quick overview of how to assemble the lasagna roll ups. Scroll or jump down to the recipe card for complete instructions.
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Spread the cheese mixture onto each noodle, followed by the meat mixture.
Roll up the noodles and arrange them in a casserole dish with sauce on the bottom.
Top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese before baking.
Tips for Making Lasagna Rollups
- Cook the noodles al dente. They’ll continue cooking in the oven, so you don’t want them too soft.
- Cook a few extra noodles. That way, you’ll have spares in case any break or tear.
- Don’t roll them too tightly. Roll the noodles snugly enough to hold their shape, but not so tightly that the filling squeezes out the sides.
- Use a deep casserole dish. This helps keep the cheese from sticking to the foil while baking.
Can I Make Lasagna Roll Ups Ahead of Time?
You can assemble the lasagna roll ups ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them before baking. I haven’t tested either method, so I can’t give exact baking times. If refrigerated, they may need a little extra time in the oven. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover lasagna roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave until heated through.
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Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
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Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- nonstick cooking spray
- dried parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the lasagna noodles 1–2 minutes less than directed on the package. Lay the cooked noodles flat on a rimmed baking sheet to keep them from sticking together.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. If using lean ground beef, allow the liquid to cook off. If using regular ground beef, drain the excess grease. Add the garlic and pepper and cook for 1 minute, then stir in 1½ cups of marinara sauce.
- In a large bowl combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, egg, and Italian seasoning.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Divide the cheese mixture evenly among the noodles, then top with the meat mixture. Roll up the filled noodles.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish and add the lasagna roll ups.
- Top with the remaining 1½ cups of marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. You can broil briefly to brown the cheese if desired.
- Sprinkle with dried parsley (if using) and let stand about 5 minutes before serving.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.