Lasagna night doesn’t have to mean a mountain of dishes, hours of prep, or serving up heavy square slabs. If you’ve ever found yourself craving a comforting Italian dinner but without all the layering and slicing, then this easy lasagna roll-ups recipe is calling your name.
These easy lasagna roll-ups are everything you love about traditional lasagna—creamy ricotta, hearty meat sauce, gooey mozzarella—but wrapped up in tidy little rolls that bake faster and portion out perfectly. Trust me, once you try this rolled pasta bake version, you may never go back.
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Why These Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups Are a Total Game-Changer
Let me tell you, there’s something magical about rolling up all that cheesy, saucy goodness into individual lasagna servings. Not only are these mozzarella ricotta pasta rolls quicker to make, they’re also easier to serve, freezer-friendly, and ideal for busy weeknights. Here’s why you’ll fall in love:
- Perfectly Portioned: No more slicing messy squares—each person gets their own stuffed pasta roll.
- Faster Bake Time: These easy lasagna roll-ups cook faster than traditional layered lasagna.
- Customizable Fillings: Meat lovers, vegetarians, picky eaters—you can fill each roll however you want.
- Freezer-Friendly: Great for make-ahead dinners or weekly meal prep.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Kids love them. Adults do, too. Plus, they look impressive with very little effort.
Whether you’re feeding the whole family or just meal-prepping for the week, these oven-baked pasta rolls are a go-to comfort food idea.
Ingredients for Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups
Let’s break this down into three parts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming: the pasta, the ricotta filling mixture, and the sauce + cheese. You’ll be surprised how easy lasagna roll-ups can come together.
Pasta & Filling
- 10 to 12 lasagna noodles (boiled to al dente or use oven-ready if you prefer)
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste
Ricotta Filling Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 to 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (optional but highly recommended)
- Pinch of nutmeg (trust me on this)
Sauce & Assembly
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup extra Parmesan for topping
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
This combo gives you that classic Italian dinner flavor in a much more manageable form. These stuffed pasta rolls are the ultimate comfort food.
Step-by-Step Lasagna Roll-Up Instructions
Let’s roll—literally. This step-by-step lasagna roll guide will walk you through everything so you can feel confident from start to finish. These easy lasagna roll-ups are truly beginner-friendly.
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Boil the lasagna noodles until al dente (about 8-9 minutes), then lay them flat on parchment paper or a baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Once browned, stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to create a flavorful base for your lasagna roll recipes.
Step 3: Mix the Ricotta Filling
In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, spinach (if using), and nutmeg until smooth. This is the heart of your ricotta-stuffed noodles.
Step 4: Prep the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish to keep the easy lasagna roll-ups from sticking.
Step 5: Assemble the Roll-Ups
Take a noodle, spread 2-3 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture across its surface, top with a spoonful of the meat sauce, then roll it up from one end to the other. Place seam-side down in the baking dish. This method makes assembling Italian rolled lasagna simple.
Step 6: Top With Sauce and Cheese
Once all your rolls are snug in the pan, pour the remaining marinara over the top. Sprinkle mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese generously. You now have a tray full of baked cheesy lasagna rolls ready to go.
Step 7: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for that golden cheesy top.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley over the top for extra flair. Your easy lasagna roll-ups are ready to wow the crowd.
Pro Tips for Perfect Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Don’t overcook your noodles. Al dente noodles are easier to roll and won’t turn to mush.
- Parchment paper is your friend. Lay the noodles out flat after boiling so they don’t stick.
- Add variety. You can do half meat and half vegetarian lasagna roll options in the same dish.
- Meal prep friendly. Assemble a day ahead and refrigerate. Or freeze them for a rainy day.
- Use whole-milk ricotta. It’s richer, creamier, and holds up better when baked.
Need a good side dish? Our homemade Italian bread recipe is practically begging to be dipped in marinara.
What to Serve With These Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups
You’ve got the main event, now let’s talk supporting cast. These dishes will make your Italian night unforgettable and complement your easy lasagna roll-ups beautifully:
- Garlic bread or crusty homemade Italian bread – perfect for sopping up extra sauce.
- Fresh salad – keep it light with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic.
- Steamed green beans or roasted zucchini – balance all the cheesy richness.
Feeling extra? Pair this dish with our Italian meatloaf for weeknight dinners or even the creamy garlic herb chicken recipe for a cozy Italian-style dinner feast.
FAQs
Yes! Just skip the beef and load up on spinach, mushrooms, or roasted veggies for vegetarian lasagna roll options.
Absolutely. Wrap unbaked rolls tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To cook from frozen, add 15-20 minutes to the bake time. Baked leftovers can also be frozen and reheated. These are perfect as freezer-friendly lasagna.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Or microwave with a splash of water to keep them moist.
Roll-ups are basically lasagna that’s been portioned ahead of time, so you get the same flavors with less hassle. For comparison, check out our homemade lasagna recipe or the easiest lasagna recipe ever.
Sure! Alfredo, pesto, or a vodka sauce would all be delicious variations for your lasagna roll recipes.
Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Description
These easy lasagna roll-ups are everything you love about traditional lasagna—creamy ricotta, hearty meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella—wrapped up in tidy little rolls that bake faster and portion out perfectly.
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 lasagna noodles (boiled to al dente or oven-ready)
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste
- 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 to 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the lasagna noodles until al dente (8–9 minutes), then lay flat on parchment paper.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in 1 cup marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, spinach (if using), and nutmeg until smooth.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread 2–3 tbsp ricotta mixture on each noodle, top with meat sauce, roll up, and place seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining marinara over rolls. Sprinkle mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly. Broil 2–3 minutes for golden top.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil or parsley.
Notes
Don’t overcook noodles, use parchment to keep them from sticking, and feel free to mix vegetarian and meat rolls in the same pan. These roll-ups are freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re new to the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, these easy lasagna roll-ups are here to simplify your life. They give you everything you want from a classic lasagna—but in a fun, fuss-free, single-serve pasta dish. Plus, they make weeknight dinner feel just a little more special.
So next time you’re staring at a box of lasagna noodles and feeling uninspired, give this easy lasagna roll-ups recipe a shot. And hey, don’t be surprised when this becomes a regular request from your family or roommates.
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