Let’s be honest for a second. We all love a good, hearty lasagna. That glorious, cheesy, meaty, saucy masterpiece.

But sometimes, wrestling with those giant, slippery sheets of pasta feels like a culinary workout. And then you have to cut it, hoping each piece holds its shape.

Enter the lasagna roll up. It’s all the incredible flavor of your favorite baked pasta dish, but presented in these adorable, perfectly portioned individual bundles. Each one is a self-contained pocket of joy, with the ideal ratio of noodle, creamy cheese, and robust meat sauce in every single bite.

They’re fun to make, absolutely gorgeous on a plate, and honestly? They might just become your new favorite way to enjoy this classic comfort food. It’s a simple twist that makes a world of difference.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gathering everything first makes the process so smooth. Here’s your shopping list, broken down into the key components.

For the Cheese Filling:

• Ricotta cheese: The creamy, dreamy base of our filling. Whole milk ricotta gives the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
• Mozzarella cheese: We’re using this in the filling and on top. For the best melt, grab a block of low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella and shred it yourself.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is a non-negotiable here. It adds a sharp, salty, nutty punch that pre-grated stuff just can’t match.
• Egg: This is our binder. It helps hold the cheese filling together so it doesn’t ooze out everywhere when baking.
• Seasonings: Dried oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. This simple blend wakes up the cheese mixture beautifully.

For the Meat Sauce:

• Ground beef and Italian sausage: The dynamic duo! Using half of each creates a much more complex and flavorful sauce than one meat alone. You can choose mild or hot sausage based on your preference.
• Yellow onion and garlic: The aromatic foundation. Cooking the onion slowly first is a secret step for a touch of sweetness.
• Marinara sauce: Use a good-quality jarred sauce you genuinely enjoy. It forms the base of our quick, homemade-tasting meat sauce.
• Chicken broth: A splash deglazes the pan, grabbing all those tasty browned bits from the meat, and adds a layer of savory depth.
• Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce: Don’t skip these! They’re “secret weapon” flavor enhancers. You won’t taste heat; it just makes the sauce richer and more robust.

For Assembly:

• Lasagna noodles: The standard, no-boil kind works, but traditional noodles you boil yourself are perfect. Cook a couple extra, just in case some tear.

How to make Lasagna Roll Ups?

It looks impressive, but the process is straightforward. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a stunning dish ready for the oven.

Step 1: Prep Your Station and Make the Filling

First, grab a medium bowl and combine all the cheese filling ingredients. That’s the ricotta, one cup of the mozzarella, the Parmesan, egg, and all those dried herbs.

Mix it until it’s well-blended and creamy. Set this aside for now. Then, take about half a cup of your marinara sauce and spread it thinly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents sticking and adds flavor from the bottom up.

Step 2: Start the Meat Sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add your diced onion and let it cook for a good 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

You’re not looking to brown it, just to soften it and let it release its natural sugars. This step adds a subtle sweetness that balances the tomatoes later.

Step 3: Cook the Meats and Garlic

Now, crank the heat up to medium-high and add both the ground beef and Italian sausage. Use your spatula to break it up into really small, fine crumbles as it cooks.

This ensures every bit gets seasoned and you get a great texture in the sauce. Once the meat is fully cooked through, drain off any excess grease. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute, until it’s fragrant.

Step 4: Build and Simmer the Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth and use your spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan. Those browned bits are pure flavor!

Now, add the rest of the marinara sauce, the Worcestershire, and the hot sauce. Give it all a good stir, bring it to a bubble, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently.

Step 5: Cook and Prep the Noodles

While the sauce simmers, cook your lasagna noodles in a large pot of well-salted boiling water. Cook them only until they are al dente, just tender but still firm.

Drain them and then rinse immediately with cold water. This stops the cooking process and makes them cool enough to handle without tearing.

Step 6: Assemble the Roll Ups

Lay the cooled noodles out on a clean surface, like a large cutting board lined with parchment paper. Take your cheese mixture and spread an even layer over each noodle, covering almost the entire surface.

Then, spoon a layer of the meat sauce over the cheese. Now, starting at one end, carefully but firmly roll each noodle up. Place each roll seam-side down in your prepared baking dish.

Step 7: Top and Bake to Perfection

Once all your rolls are snug in the dish, spoon the remaining meat sauce over the tops. Sprinkle the last of the mozzarella cheese evenly over everything.

Cover the dish tightly with foil that you’ve sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 375°F for about 35 minutes, until everything is hot and bubbly. For a gorgeous, browned top, remove the foil and broil for a few minutes at the end—just watch it closely!

Ingredient Substitutions

No Italian sausage? No problem. Life happens, and you can easily adapt this recipe to what you have on hand.

You can use a full pound of ground beef instead of the half-and-half mix. For a lighter option, ground turkey or chicken works wonderfully too. Just add an extra pinch of Italian seasoning to keep the flavor profile strong.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian version, it’s incredibly easy. Simply leave out the meat. Sauté some sliced mushrooms and maybe some bell peppers with the onions for a hearty, savory filling. You can even stir some chopped, cooked spinach into the cheese mixture.

For the cheeses, whole milk cottage cheese can stand in for ricotta in a pinch. And if you can’t find a block of mozzarella, the pre-shredded bag will work, though the melt might not be quite as smooth.

Tips

• A few little secrets can take your roll ups from great to absolutely legendary. Keep these in mind.
• Always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting into that perfect, smooth, gooey blanket we all crave.
• Don’t skip rinsing the noodles in cold water. It seems counterintuitive, but it’s the key to being able to handle them without them sticking together or tearing apart. It makes the assembly process peaceful instead of frantic.
• When you roll them up, do it with confidence! A firm, tight roll will hold its shape better during baking. Don’t worry if a little filling sneaks out the sides; it just adds to the rustic charm.
• Let the baked roll ups rest for about 5 to 10 minutes after they come out of the oven. This allows the cheesy filling to set just enough so they hold their shape perfectly when you serve them.

How to Store and Reheat

This is a fantastic make-ahead meal. The flavors often taste even better the next day after they’ve had time to mingle.

To store leftovers, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

For individual portions, separate them with parchment paper before freezing. Reheating is simple. For the best results, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen.

Then, warm them in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave single servings, but the oven will keep the noodles from getting soft and the cheese beautifully melted.

Best Time to Serve This Dish

Lasagna roll ups are the ultimate versatile dish. They fit in perfectly for so many different occasions.

They are obviously a superstar weekend family dinner. It’s a project that’s fun to do together, and the reward is a magnificent, comforting meal.

They are also an incredible option for entertaining. Having guests over? These are a total showstopper. You can assemble them completely ahead of time and just pop them in the oven 45 minutes before you want to eat.

They look elegant on the plate and everyone gets their own perfectly formed serving. They’re also a wonderful dish to take to a potluck or to bring to a friend who needs a meal.

It travels well, reheats beautifully, and is always, always met with happy smiles. It’s a dish that says “I care,” without you having to say a word.