Lasagna Roll Ups are one of those recipes that bring comfort, flexibility, and practicality to weeknight cooking. Instead of layering a traditional lasagna, each noodle becomes its own tidy, baked bundle filled with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, Parmesan, and rich marinara. The result is a dish that feels familiar but offers easier serving, neater portions, and effortless reheating.

Home cooks love this version because the structure is simple, the ingredients are adaptable, and the final dish looks impressive without complicated steps. Whether you keep it meatless, pack it with vegetables, or add ground beef and sausage, the rolls bake perfectly every time. It’s a dependable recipe for family dinners, gatherings, and meal prep alike.

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Why You’ll Love These Lasagna Roll Ups

Easy to Customize

You can build them with beef, sausage, spinach, mushrooms, or keep them vegetarian. Every roll can even be filled differently for picky eaters.

Perfect Make-Ahead Meal

Roll ups can be refrigerated or frozen before baking, making them ideal for busy schedules or Sunday meal prep.

Neater Than Traditional Lasagna

Each roll is perfectly portioned—no more sagging layers or messy slices.

Crowd-Friendly Flavor

Creamy ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and marinara create a classic lasagna taste everyone recognizes.

Great for Freezer Meals

The structure holds beautifully, and the sauce keeps everything moist during reheating.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta

• 10–12 lasagna noodles, cooked until flexible but not over-soft

Cheese Filling

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (alcohol-free)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (alcohol-free)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Sauce

• 32 oz alcohol-free marinara sauce

Optional Add-Ins

• Fully cooked ground beef or sausage (alcohol-free)
• Sautéed spinach
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Preparation Tools

For preparation, you’ll need a large pot to cook the pasta, a colander to drain it, and a clean kitchen towel to dry it. A large mixing bowl is necessary for mixing the cheese filling.

Baking Essentials

For baking, you’ll need a 9×13 inch baking dish, parchment paper for lining, and aluminum foil to cover the dish during baking.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Lasagna Roll Ups

Before You Begin

Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients.

Step 1: Prepare the Noodles

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until flexible enough to roll.
Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Mix until smooth and evenly combined.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish

Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and promote even heating.

Step 4: Assemble the Roll Ups

Lay one noodle flat and spread a layer of cheese filling evenly across the surface.
Add optional cooked meat or vegetables if using.
Roll gently and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
Repeat with remaining noodles.

Step 5: Add Sauce and Cheese

Spoon remaining marinara over the rolls and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella.

Step 6: Bake

Cover the dish and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the roll ups are heated through.
Uncover briefly near the end so the cheese melts evenly and lightly browns.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the dish to rest briefly before serving so the filling sets and portions hold together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted broccoli or asparagus
• A simple green salad with vinaigrette

These sides balance the richness of the roll ups and make the meal feel complete.

Variations to Try

Meaty Roll Ups

Mix cooked ground beef or Italian sausage into the ricotta or layer it under the cheese filling.

Vegetarian Roll Ups

Add:

• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Bell peppers

Sauté vegetables first to remove excess moisture.

Three-Cheese Roll Ups

Increase Parmesan and add provolone or fontina for extra richness.

Creamy Alfredo Roll Ups

Replace marinara with Alfredo sauce for a white lasagna twist.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers promptly in an airtight container in the refrigerator according to food safety guidelines.

Frozen portions should be stored and thawed following standard freezer practices. Texture may vary after freezing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking noodles, which can cause tearing
• Using marinara sauce that is not confirmed alcohol-free
• Overfilling rolls, which may cause them to open
• Skipping foil during baking, which can dry out the pasta
• Relying only on exact times instead of visual doneness cues

FAQ

1. How do I prevent lasagna noodles from tearing?
Cook the noodles only until al dente and handle them gently. Laying them flat immediately after draining prevents sticking and tearing during assembly.

2. Should I use whole milk or part-skim ricotta?
Whole milk ricotta gives a creamier, richer filling. Part-skim works but will be slightly less smooth. For the best melt and texture, choose whole milk.

3. Can I make this with oven-ready noodles?
Boiled noodles roll tightly and reliably, so they’re recommended. Oven-ready noodles tend to crack when rolled, even after soaking.

4. Why were my roll ups watery?
Excess moisture from vegetables or overcooked noodles can thin the sauce. Sauté vegetables first, keep noodles firm, and avoid too much sauce inside the rolls.

5. Can I prepare the dish the night before?
Yes. Assemble everything except the final cheese topping. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Add cheese right before baking.

6. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Use two baking dishes or a deeper pan. Increase baking time slightly if rolls are tightly packed.

7. How do I avoid dry roll ups?
Make sure the rolls are well-covered with sauce before baking. The foil helps trap steam so the noodles stay moist.

8. Which cheese melts best on top?
Mozzarella gives the classic lasagna look, but combining mozzarella with provolone or fontina adds richness and a perfect stretch.

Recipe Card

Easy Lasagna Roll Ups

Author: Isaac Blogger
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Servings: 4–6

Before You Begin

Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients.

Ingredients

• 10–12 lasagna noodles
• 32 oz alcohol-free marinara sauce
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (alcohol-free)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (alcohol-free)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• Fully cooked ground beef or sausage (alcohol-free)
• Sautéed vegetables

Instructions

1. Prepare Noodles
   Cook noodles until flexible. Drain and lay flat.
2. Make Filling
   Mix ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Prepare Dish
   Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the baking dish.
4. Assemble Rolls
   Spread filling on each noodle, roll gently, and place seam-side down in the dish.
5. Top and Bake
   Spoon remaining sauce over the rolls and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
   Cover and bake until heated through and the sauce is bubbling. Uncover briefly to melt the cheese evenly.
6. Rest and Serve
   Allow to rest briefly before serving.

Notes

• Cooking times are estimates and may vary
• Use visual cues such as bubbling sauce and melted cheese to assess doneness
• Reheat gently until warmed through

Nutrition (Estimated, Per Serving)

• Calories: 430–520
• Protein: 23–28g
• Carbs: 38–45g
• Fat: 18–24g
• Saturated Fat: 9–12g
• Sodium: 820–980mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Nutrition information is estimated and provided for general guidance only. Values may vary based on ingredients, brands, and portion sizes.