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
