Why You’ll Love these Lasagna Roll Ups
If you’re looking for a game-changing twist on traditional lasagna, these roll ups are about to become your new favorite dinner hack.
I adore how they solve the eternal leftover problem—no more giant pan of lasagna getting soggy by day three!
Each individually portioned roll makes serving a breeze (perfect for picky eaters who want “just sauce” or “extra cheese”).
The make-ahead potential is where they truly shine. Freeze them individually, then bake only what you need. Talk about weeknight sanity!
Plus, they’re prettier than traditional lasagna, making them dinner-party worthy without extra effort.
What Ingredients are in Lasagna Roll Ups?
Lasagna roll ups combine all the incredible flavors of traditional lasagna in a clever, individually portioned format.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—you’ll need the classic lasagna components like noodles, cheese, and sauce, but arranged in a way that makes serving and storing so much more convenient.
I’m particularly fond of how the cheesy filling gets distributed evenly throughout each bite, giving you that perfect balance of flavors with every forkful.
- Lasagna noodles
- Spaghetti sauce (store-bought or homemade, your choice)
- Mozzarella cheese (1 pound), grated
- Ricotta cheese (15 ounces)
- Parmesan cheese
- Frozen spinach (16-ounce bag), thawed, rinsed and squeezed dry
- 1 egg
While the ingredient list is straightforward, there’s plenty of room for customization based on your preferences.
Want a meatier version? You could easily add some cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce.
For herb lovers, fresh basil or dried Italian seasoning would make wonderful additions to the cheese mixture.
And if spinach isn’t your thing, you could substitute with sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
The most important thing is ensuring your lasagna noodles are cooked just shy of al dente—about 2-5 minutes less than package directions—so they’re pliable enough to roll but won’t turn mushy during baking.
How to Make these Lasagna Roll Ups
Making lasagna roll ups is revitalizing straightforward, and I love how the process actually feels a bit like arts and crafts for adults—with delicious results! Start by cooking your lasagna noodles about 2-5 minutes less than the package directions suggest. This slightly underdone texture makes them much easier to handle without tearing, while still allowing them to finish cooking perfectly in the oven.
While your noodles are cooling, prepare the heavenly cheese mixture that makes these roll ups so irresistible. In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of grated mozzarella cheese, 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, one 16-ounce bag of frozen spinach (that you’ve thawed, rinsed and thoroughly squeezed dry—nobody wants watery lasagna!), and 1 egg. This mixture becomes wonderfully cohesive and creamy, ready to spread across each noodle.
Now comes the fun part: lay out your lasagna noodles one by one, spread a portion of the cheese mixture evenly across each one, add a spoonful of your favorite spaghetti sauce, and then carefully roll them up. Place each roll, seam-side down, in a 13×9 inch baking dish that you’ve lightly coated with sauce. A standard pan will hold about 12 roll ups.
Once all your rolls are snugly arranged, top with additional sauce and a final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for that perfect golden finish.
The real magic of these roll ups is their versatility for meal prep. You can bake them immediately in a 350°F oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 30 minutes if they’re freshly made), or prepare them for freezing. For freezer prep, don’t add sauce to the bottom of the pan. Instead, “flash freeze” the individual roll ups by placing them on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then transfer to freezer bags.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply place your desired number of roll ups in a baking dish with sauce on the bottom, add more sauce and cheese on top, and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes if thawed, or longer if cooking from frozen. What could be more convenient than having perfect, portion-controlled lasagna whenever the craving strikes?
Lasagna Roll Ups Substitutions and Variations
While the classic spinach and cheese filling creates a delicious foundation for these roll ups, the true beauty of this recipe lies in how endlessly adaptable it can be to suit your tastes and what’s in your pantry.
Try swapping spinach for sautéed mushrooms, kale, or even roasted red peppers. Not a ricotta fan? Cottage cheese makes a protein-packed alternative.
I’ve been known to add a bit of pesto to the cheese mixture when my basil plant goes wild in summer, or sprinkle in Italian herbs when I’m craving more flavor depth.
You can even go meat-lover style with cooked ground beef or Italian sausage mixed in.
What to Serve with Lasagna Roll Ups
When pairing foods with these cheesy, saucy roll ups, I’ve found that balance is the key to a memorable meal. A crisp garden salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly—my go-to every time.
Garlic bread? Non-negotiable in my house, though sometimes I swap it for rosemary focaccia when I’m feeling fancy.
For veggies, roasted broccoli or sautéed zucchini adds color and nutrition without competing with those Italian flavors.
And honestly, who can resist a good antipasto platter beforehand? Olives, marinated artichokes, some thinly sliced prosciutto… heaven on a plate.
Final Thoughts
These lasagna roll ups have become my absolute favorite twist on traditional lasagna, if I’m being honest.
They’re so versatile—perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. I love how they freeze beautifully, letting me pull out just what I need without wasting leftovers.
The individual portions make serving a breeze, and who doesn’t appreciate less mess at the dinner table? My kids think they’re more fun than regular lasagna, too.
Trust me, once you try this method, you might never go back to traditional layered lasagna again. The perfect balance of convenience and comfort food.
Lasagna Roll Ups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook lasagna noodles for 2-5 minutes less than package directions (slightly underdone). This makes them easier to handle without tearing while still allowing them to finish cooking in the oven.
- While noodles are cooling, prepare the cheese filling. In a large bowl, combine mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry spinach, and the egg. Mix until well combined.
- Lightly coat the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish with spaghetti sauce.
- Lay out lasagna noodles one by one. Spread a portion of the cheese mixture evenly across each noodle, then add a spoonful of spaghetti sauce.
- Carefully roll up each noodle and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Once all rolls are arranged, top with additional spaghetti sauce and a final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
