Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce and Cheese Recipe
Introduction
Lasagna roll ups offer a fun and elegant twist on classic lasagna. Filled with a creamy cheese mixture and hearty meat sauce, they’re perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe is easy to follow and delivers comforting Italian flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- ½ lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 32 oz. marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, basil, parsley, and pepper. Set aside. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Step 3: While waiting for the water to boil, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 10 minutes until soft to bring out its natural sweetness.
- Step 4: Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan. Increase heat to medium-high and break up the meat with a spatula until it’s finely crumbled. Cook for 8-10 minutes until fully browned. Add minced garlic in the last minute, then drain excess fat.
- Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in remaining marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce if using. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer gently.
- Step 6: Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles for easy handling.
- Step 7: Lay the noodles flat on parchment or wax paper.
- Step 8: Spread about 2 ½ tablespoons of the cheese mixture evenly over each lasagna noodle.
- Step 9: Spread ¼ cup of meat sauce over each noodle (about 3 cups total), reserving the rest of the sauce.
- Step 10: Roll up each noodle tightly, keeping the filling inside, and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Once all are arranged, spoon remaining meat sauce on top and sprinkle with 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese.
- Step 11: Spray a sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray-side down over the dish to keep the cheese from sticking.
- Step 12: Bake for 35 minutes. For a browned top, remove the foil and broil at 450°F (232°C) for a few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 13: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley to brighten the flavor.
- Try swapping ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the cheese mixture for extra veggies.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with cooked lentils or chopped mushrooms.
Storage
Store leftover lasagna roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through or in the microwave for quicker serving. You can also freeze the rolled and sauced unbaked roll ups for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare lasagna roll ups ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the roll ups a day in advance, keep them covered in the refrigerator, and bake right before serving.
Do I need to boil the noodles before rolling?
Yes, boiling the noodles until al dente makes them pliable enough to roll without breaking and ensures they cook fully in the oven.
Print
Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce and Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Delicious and comforting Lasagna Roll Ups featuring a savory meat sauce, a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese filling, and tender lasagna noodles baked to perfection. This recipe offers a fun twist on classic lasagna by rolling the noodles with cheese and sauce for easy portioning and a visually appealing presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- ½ lb. ground beef
- ½ lb. ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 32 oz. marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Others
- 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, dried oregano, salt, dried basil, dried parsley, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare Baking Dish and Sauce Base: Take ½ cup of marinara sauce and spread it evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and make handling easier. Lay the noodles flat on parchment or wax paper.
- Cook Onions: While water is heating, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 10 minutes until softened and slightly sweetened.
- Cook Meat: Increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet with onions. Break up the meat finely with a spatula and cook for 8-10 minutes until fully browned. Add garlic cloves during the last minute of cooking. Drain excess fat.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour chicken broth into the skillet; use a spatula to scrape off any browned bits from the pot bottom and sides. Add remaining marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer gently.
- Assemble Roll Ups: Spread about 2 ½ tablespoons of the cheese filling evenly over each lasagna noodle. Then spread ¼ cup of meat sauce over each noodle. Roll each noodle up tightly to keep filling secure.
- Arrange and Top: Place each rolled noodle seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the assembled rolls, then sprinkle with the remaining 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese.
- Prepare for Baking: Spray a piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray side down over the baking dish. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil during baking.
- Bake: Bake the roll ups in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. To get a golden-brown top, remove the foil and broil for a few minutes at 450°F, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use gloves or a spatula to roll noodles tightly to avoid filling leakage.
- Make sure to rinse noodles thoroughly after boiling to prevent sticking.
- Adjust heat with Worcestershire and hot sauce to taste or omit if preferred.
- Broiling is optional but recommended for a golden cheese topping.
- Extra marinara sauce can be stored for another use or served on the side.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: lasagna roll ups, Italian lasagna, cheese roll ups, baked pasta, easy lasagna recipe
