If you’re looking for a comforting pasta dish with a fun twist, these lasagna roll ups are exactly what you need. This recipe takes everything you love about classic lasagna, rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and layers of flavor, and transforms it into perfectly portioned rolls that are easy to serve and even easier to enjoy.
These lasagna roll ups are ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests. They’re cheesy, saucy, and baked to golden perfection, making them a crowd-pleasing comfort food that feels both homemade and special.
Method
Make the Meat Sauce
To start, grab a large saucepan and place it over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with 1 teaspoon of cooking oil. Once the butter is melted and sizzling slightly, toss in the pressed or grated garlic, finely diced onions, celery, carrots, and tomato paste. Stir the mixture frequently for about 8 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and the tomato paste to deepen in color. The aroma at this point will be absolutely mouthwatering!
Next, add the ground beef and Italian sausage into the saucepan. Season the meat with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Break up the meat using a spatula or spoon and cook it for about 6 to 7 minutes until it’s no longer pink and starts to brown nicely. Once the meat is cooked, stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, followed by all the seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the sauce simmer gently for 25 minutes, stirring every so often to keep it from sticking. The flavors will develop beautifully as it cooks.
Mix the Ricotta Filling
While your meat sauce is simmering, it’s the perfect time to prepare the creamy ricotta filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, shredded Parmesan, one large egg, chopped parsley, chopped fresh basil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Use a spoon or spatula to mix everything together until it becomes a smooth, creamy mixture. This cheesy filling is going to be the heart of your roll ups!
Cook the Lasagna Sheets
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and cook your lasagna pasta sheets according to the instructions on the package. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the noodles are al dente, soft but still firm, drain them carefully and rinse them with cold water. This step stops the cooking process and also makes them easier to handle. Lay the cooked sheets out in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Assemble the Roll Ups
Now for the fun part, rolling! Place the lasagna sheets flat on a clean surface. Scoop a little less than 1/4 cup of the ricotta filling onto each sheet and spread it evenly, making sure to leave about 1/2 inch of space at one end. This little gap will help keep the filling from squeezing out when you roll them. Starting from the filled end, gently roll the pasta into a spiral, just like you’d roll a cinnamon roll. Repeat this for each sheet until all are filled and rolled.
Bake It All Together
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take your 9×13 baking dish and spread about 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom. This base layer keeps the roll-ups from sticking and adds lots of flavor. Place the lasagna roll-ups seam-side down into the dish, nestling them closely together.
Once all the roll-ups are in, spoon the remaining meat sauce generously over the top. Then sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses all over the dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil to keep everything moist while it bakes.
Bake the roll-ups in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Finally, remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Necessary Tools
- Large saucepan
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Pot to boil pasta
- Colander
- Cheese grater (if grating fresh cheese)
Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups – A Fun Twist on a Classic!
Cuisine: Italian, AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings30
minutes40
minutes1
hour10
minutesIngredients
For the Meat Sauce
12 sheets lasagna pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
1 medium carrot, diced small
1 celery stick, diced small
1/2 medium onion, diced small
6 garlic cloves, pressed or grated
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp cooking oil
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt, divided
1 tsp black pepper, divided
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
For the Ricotta Filling
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
8–10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
For Topping
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 cup shredded Parmesan
Parsley for garnish
Directions
- Make the Meat Sauce
In a large saucepan, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and tomato paste. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring often until everything is soft and smells amazing.
Add the ground beef and sausage. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Break the meat up with a spoon and cook for about 6–7 minutes until browned.
Now, stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and all the seasonings (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes). Cover and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring now and then. - Mix the Ricotta Filling
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix it well until creamy and delicious. - Cook the Lasagna Sheets
Boil your lasagna sheets according to the package instructions. Once done, drain them and rinse with cold water so they don’t stick together. - Assemble the Roll Ups
Lay your cooked lasagna sheets on a flat surface. Spread a little less than 1/4 cup of the ricotta filling on each sheet. Leave about 1/2 inch empty at one end. Then, roll them up gently! - Bake It All Together
Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of your baking dish. Place the roll-ups seam-side down. Pour more meat sauce on top, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm!
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook your lasagna noodles or they’ll tear when you roll them.
- Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it on the pasta – it’ll be easier to handle.
- When rolling, don’t overfill! Too much filling can squish out the sides.
- Always grease your baking dish so nothing sticks.
Serving Suggestions
These roll-ups are a full meal by themselves, but here are some tasty sides:
- Garlic bread (a classic!)
- A fresh green salad with balsamic dressing
- Roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers
- A glass of sparkling water with lemon or your favorite Italian soda
Fun Fact
Did you know lasagna dates back to ancient Greece? The word comes from “Laganon,” the first known pasta! Lasagna roll-ups are just a fun way of turning a super old recipe into something new and exciting!
Conclusion
These lasagna roll ups are a delicious, creative spin on traditional lasagna that bring comfort, flavor, and convenience together in one dish. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this recipe is sure to impress with its rich layers and cheesy goodness.
Give these lasagna roll ups a try and enjoy a simple yet satisfying dish that will quickly become a favorite in your home.
