If there’s one dish I can never say no to, it’s lasagna. I grew up with the classic layered version—cheesy, saucy, and baked until bubbly—but let me tell you something: Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups might just be my new favorite way to enjoy it.
Why? Because instead of dealing with a heavy casserole dish and trying to cut neat squares (which, let’s be honest, always fall apart on my plate), these roll ups are portioned individually. That means they’re easy to serve, easy to freeze, and easy to reheat whenever you want a warm Italian dinner on the table.
Whether you’re a busy parent looking for easy freezer meals for families, a student trying to meal prep on a budget, or someone who just loves having comfort food ready at a moment’s notice, these Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups are a total lifesaver. They’re customizable too—go classic with spinach and ricotta, hearty with sausage or beef, or veggie-loaded with mushrooms.
Jump to
- What Are Lasagna Roll Ups?
- Ingredients Breakdown for Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
- What to Serve With Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
- Meal Prep and Freezer Tips for Lasagna Roll Ups
- Step-by-Step Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
- Step-by-Step Visual Walkthrough (No Photos Needed)
- Variations and Customizations for Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
- Final thoughts
What Are Lasagna Roll Ups?
Imagine all the things you love about traditional lasagna—tender noodles, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, savory marinara—except instead of layering it, you spread the filling on each noodle, roll it up like a pinwheel, and bake. That’s it!
The beauty of lasagna roll ups is that they turn lasagna into individual lasagna portions. Not only do they look fancy when you serve them, but they also make portion control and freezer storage incredibly simple.
You can fill these rolls with just about anything. Classic spinach and ricotta lasagna rolls are light yet satisfying. If you want a heartier option, try ground beef lasagna roll ups or even sausage-stuffed pasta rolls. Mushroom lasagna rolls bring earthy, umami flavor that pairs beautifully with marinara.
If you’re a fan of traditional recipes, you can check out my homemade lasagna recipe or this easy lasagna recipe. But for anyone craving a meal-prep friendly version, these Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups will win you over.
Ingredients Breakdown for Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
Let’s break down what you’ll need for this recipe. Each ingredient plays an important role, and I’ll give you some swap ideas in case you want to mix things up.
Lasagna Noodles
Go for the classic flat noodles with fluttered edges. They’re sturdy enough to hold the filling and give you that ruffled, picture-perfect look once baked.
Cheeses
This recipe is a cheese lover’s dream. You’ll need ricotta (creamy base), mozzarella (melty goodness), and Parmesan (salty, nutty kick). The trio creates that irresistible cheesy pull when you slice into the roll ups.
Egg
One egg goes into the ricotta mixture. It acts as a binder, keeping the filling from oozing out during baking. Plus, it adds just the right amount of moisture.
Spinach (or Alternatives)
Frozen spinach is the easiest and most budget-friendly choice here. Just thaw, squeeze out all the water, and mix into the cheese. Don’t skip squeezing—it’s the secret to avoiding watery filling. If spinach isn’t your thing, mushrooms, roasted peppers, ground beef, or Italian sausage all work beautifully.
Pasta Sauce
Jarred marinara works fine, but if you have time to simmer a homemade sauce, go for it. Sauce is what ties the roll ups together, so don’t skimp.
Optional Add-Ins
Fresh basil, a dash of nutmeg, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can elevate your filling. Garlic lovers can sauté minced garlic and mix it right in.
This combination gives you the foundation for the best homemade lasagna roll ups, whether you stick to vegetarian fillings or go meaty.
What to Serve With Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
These roll ups are hearty enough to stand alone, but pairing them with the right sides makes dinner feel complete. Here are some of my favorites:
- Garlic bread: Nothing beats warm, buttery bread to scoop up extra sauce. Try my homemade Italian bread recipe.
- Fresh salads: For a lighter side, pair your lasagna rolls with a crisp cucumber tomato salad or a sweet-savory strawberry spinach salad. Even a broccoli raisin salad adds a fun crunch.
- Italian sliders: If you’re feeding a crowd, serve with Italian sliders.
With these pairings, your Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups turn into a full-blown Italian dinner feast.
Meal Prep and Freezer Tips for Lasagna Roll Ups
Here’s where the magic happens. These roll ups aren’t just tasty—they’re one of the best meals to freeze and reheat.
- Fridge storage: Keep leftovers in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
- Freezer storage: Let baked roll ups cool completely, then freeze. They’ll last up to 3 months.
- How to freeze lasagna rolls: Wrap each roll individually for portion-controlled servings, or freeze a whole tray for family dinners.
- Reheating frozen lasagna rolls: Thaw overnight in the fridge, or use the microwave’s defrost setting if you’re in a rush. Then bake or heat until warmed through.
If you love freezer-friendly recipes, you’ll also enjoy my sausage hashbrown breakfast casserole or these easy ground chicken recipes for meal prep.
Batch cooking pasta dishes like these Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups means you’ll always have a homemade Italian dinner ready to go.
Step-by-Step Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 8, about 16 roll ups)
- 16 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 3 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic, basil, red pepper flakes
Estimated cost: under $15 total.
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook lasagna noodles until just al dente. Drain and lay flat on a baking sheet with a little oil so they don’t stick.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the rolls: Spread 2–3 tablespoons of filling onto each noodle. Sprinkle with mozzarella, then roll tightly.
- Arrange in dish: Pour 1 cup marinara into a greased baking dish. Place roll ups seam-side down.
- Top with sauce and cheese: Cover with remaining marinara and mozzarella.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition (per 2 roll ups)
- Calories: 387
- Carbs: 40g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 16g
- Sodium: 788mg
- Fiber: 4g
This recipe is perfect for meal prep lasagna nights or when you need budget-friendly lasagna rolls under $15.
Step-by-Step Visual Walkthrough (No Photos Needed)
Here’s a quick rundown so you can picture the process:
- Thaw and squeeze spinach dry.
- Boil noodles, drain, and lay flat.
- Mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, spinach.
- Spread filling on each noodle.
- Roll tightly, seam down.
- Place in dish, cover with sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake until golden and bubbly.
That’s all there is to these homemade lasagna roll ups.
Variations and Customizations for Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups
The best thing about this recipe? You can make it your own.
- Meat lovers: Try ground beef lasagna roll ups or spicy sausage lasagna rolls.
- Veggie lovers: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted peppers.
- Healthy swaps: Use part-skim ricotta, whole wheat noodles, or reduce cheese.
- High-protein pasta recipes: Mix in ground chicken or turkey for a lighter but protein-packed meal. See my high protein dinners for more ideas.
No matter how you fill them, these Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups fit every taste.
Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups: The Perfect Make-Ahead Dinner
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (about 16 roll ups)
Description
These Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups are the ultimate make-ahead Italian dinner. Easy to portion, freeze, and reheat, they’re cheesy, saucy, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 16 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 3 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic, basil, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and lay flat with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Spread 2–3 tablespoons of filling on each noodle, sprinkle with mozzarella, and roll tightly.
- Pour 1 cup marinara into a greased baking dish. Place roll ups seam-side down.
- Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake at 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.
Notes
Cool completely before freezing. Wrap individually for portion control or freeze in a tray for family meals. Keeps up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 roll ups
- Calories: 387
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 788mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Final thoughts
If you’ve been looking for an easy weeknight pasta recipe that doubles as one of the best freezer-friendly dinners, this is it. These roll ups bring comfort food to your table with zero stress.
Top them with fresh parsley or basil, serve with garlic bread and salad, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy Italian dinner right at home.
So next time you’re craving lasagna, skip the layers and try Freezer-Friendly Lasagna Roll Ups. Your freezer (and your future self) will thank you.
For more pasta inspiration, check out cheesy penne with garlic butter and beef or this refreshing chicken Caesar pasta salad.
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