These Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun and comforting twist on traditional lasagna. I layer each pasta noodle with a creamy spinach-ricotta filling, then roll them up and bake them with marinara sauce and melty cheese. It’s an easy way to enjoy all the cozy lasagna flavors in a neat, personal-sized portion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these roll ups are easy to portion and serve, making them perfect for dinners, meal prep, or gatherings. They’re endlessly customizable, whether I keep them vegetarian or add ground beef for extra heartiness. The balance of savory cheese, herbs, and sauce makes every bite satisfying.

Lasagna Roll Ups

Ingredients

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

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (optional)
  • 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated (divided)
  • 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce (divided)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

  1. I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. I cook the lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain, rinse with cold water, and blot dry with paper towels.
  3. If using meat, I brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, season it with salt and pepper, and stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce. I let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, I combine spinach, ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. I mix it until smooth, then stir in Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. I also stir in the cooked ground beef if using.
  5. I spread 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce in the prepared baking dish.
  6. I lay out the cooked noodles and spread about 3 tablespoons of filling over each one. Then, I roll them up tightly.
  7. I place the roll ups seam-side down in the baking dish in a 4-by-3 grid. I pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
  8. I cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then, I remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. I garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Servings and timing

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 roll ups
Calories: 274 kcal per roll up

Variations

  • I sometimes use ground turkey in place of beef.
  • I swap spinach for kale or add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
  • For extra cheesiness, I mix in some shredded provolone or fontina with the filling.
  • I make a spicy version by adding red pepper flakes to the filling or sauce.
  • I occasionally layer the roll ups with Alfredo sauce instead of marinara for a creamy variation.

Storage/reheating

I store leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I cover them and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or microwave until heated through. They also freeze well—I freeze them individually and reheat directly from frozen.

FAQs

Can I make these roll ups ahead of time?

Yes, I assemble them a day in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. I bake them just before serving.

What’s the best way to reheat them?

I prefer reheating in the oven at 350°F, covered, until warmed through. The microwave works too for quicker results.

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Absolutely. I cook down about 4 cups of fresh spinach and squeeze out any moisture before adding it to the filling.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking?

After draining, I rinse the noodles with cold water and lay them flat on parchment paper or a lightly oiled surface.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely. I use two baking dishes or a larger pan, and double all the ingredients for easy batch cooking.

Conclusion

These Lasagna Roll Ups are a hearty, delicious alternative to traditional lasagna. I love how customizable they are, and how easily they feed a crowd or store for later. Whether I’m keeping it meatless or adding beef, it’s always a satisfying and cozy meal.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 roll ups
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A fun twist on traditional lasagna, these cheesy roll ups are packed with spinach, ricotta, herbs, and marinara sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, they’re hearty, comforting, and easy to customize with meat or veggies.


Ingredients

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (optional)
  • 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated (divided)
  • 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce (divided)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, rinse gently with cold water, and blot dry with paper towels.
  3. If using meat, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, stirring until combined. If desired, stir in cooked ground beef.
  5. Spread 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
  6. Lay cooked noodles flat on a clean surface. Spread 3 tablespoons of filling evenly over each noodle, then roll tightly into spirals.
  7. Arrange roll ups in the baking dish, seam side down, in a grid (4 rows of 3). Pour the remaining 1 cup marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use oven-ready noodles to skip boiling.
  • Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or omit entirely for a vegetarian option.
  • Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
  • Use fresh spinach sautéed and drained in place of frozen if preferred.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll up
  • Calories: 274 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 490 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 52 mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star