🍝🧀 Cheesy Lasagna Roll-Ups 😍🔥
If you love lasagna but want something a little different, these Cheesy Lasagna Roll-Ups are the perfect solution! Everything you love about classic lasagna—layers of cheesy goodness, marinara sauce, and tender pasta—wrapped up in a fun and easy-to-serve spiral. Each roll is packed with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce, then baked to golden perfection with extra gooey cheese on top. These roll-ups are comfort food at its finest and make for a fun twist on a classic Italian dish!
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6):
For the Cheese Filling:
15 oz ricotta cheese (about 1¾ cups) 🧀
1 large egg 🥚
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus 1½ cups for topping) 🧀
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 🌿
1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
½ tsp salt 🧂
½ tsp black pepper 🖤
For the Marinara Sauce:
4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade) 🍅
1 tbsp olive oil 🛢️
2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat) 🌶️
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning 🌿
For the Pasta:
12 lasagna noodles (uncooked) 🍝
Salt for pasta water 🧂
For the Topping:
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) 🌿
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pasta:
Boil the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Drain and cool: Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel to dry and prevent them from sticking.
2. Make the Cheese Filling:
Mix the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine until smooth and creamy.
Set aside: Once the mixture is well combined, set it aside for filling the pasta rolls.
3. Prepare the Marinara Sauce:
Sauté the garlic: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the marinara: Pour in the marinara sauce along with the red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for about 5-7 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce and add salt or pepper if needed. Remove from heat once it’s hot and flavorful.
4. Assemble the Lasagna Roll-Ups:
Preheat the oven: While preparing the filling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread the sauce: Pour about 1 cup of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly.
Fill the noodles: Take each lasagna noodle and spread a generous amount of the cheese filling along the length of the noodle. Roll the noodle up tightly, like a jelly roll.
Place in the dish: Arrange the filled roll-ups in the prepared baking dish, seam side down.
Top with sauce: Once all the roll-ups are arranged, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the rolls, making sure to cover each one evenly.
5. Bake the Lasagna Roll-Ups:
Add mozzarella: Sprinkle the 1½ cups shredded mozzarella over the top of the roll-ups, covering them completely.
Cover with foil: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Uncover and bake: After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and become golden and bubbly.
Garnish and serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and let the roll-ups rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
🌟 Pro Tips:
Make ahead: You can prepare the lasagna roll-ups in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Just assemble the dish and cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
Add veggies: For extra flavor and nutrients, consider adding sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini into the cheese filling.
Use no-boil noodles: If you’re short on time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles. Just be sure to add a little extra sauce to compensate for the noodles’ lack of pre-cooking.
🍴 Nutritional Information (per serving, 1/6 of the recipe):
Calories: Approx. 460 kcal
Carbs: Approx. 40g
Protein: Approx. 25g
Fat: Approx. 25g
Fiber: Approx. 3g
🌈 Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Lasagna Roll-Ups:
Fun twist on classic lasagna: The roll-up format makes for a fun and easy-to-serve version of lasagna that everyone will love.
Perfectly portioned: These roll-ups are perfectly portioned and make it easy to serve a crowd with minimal fuss.
Cheesy goodness: With three kinds of cheese—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—these roll-ups are guaranteed to satisfy any cheese lover.
Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe by adding your favorite ingredients, like vegetables or ground meat, to the filling or sauce.
Great for meal prep: These roll-ups can be assembled ahead of time, making them a great choice for meal prepping or potlucks.
Cheesy Lasagna Roll-Ups are the perfect solution for lasagna lovers who want all the flavor with a fun, easy twist. The cheesy filling, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella come together in these individual roll-ups, making them an instant crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, these roll-ups are sure to be a hit! 🍝🧀