Name: Lasagna Roll-Ups with Meat Sauce and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 dry lasagna noodles; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar); ½ onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 pound ground beef; 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese (1 container); 3½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley and/or basil; 1 large egg; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Ingredients

12 dry lasagna noodles*

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ onion, chopped

1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 pound ground beef**

24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)

15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese (1 container)

3½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley and/or basil

1 large egg

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse them with cold water, then place on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and ½ teaspoon kosher salt, cooking until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 30 seconds.

Step 3: Add the ground beef to the skillet and brown thoroughly. Stir in the marinara sauce, then remove the pan from heat.

Step 4: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1½ cups mozzarella, parmesan, chopped herbs, egg, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper.

Step 5: Spread about ½ cup of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay one lasagna noodle flat and spread 3-4 tablespoons of the cheese mixture evenly over it, then 2-3 tablespoons of meat sauce on top of the cheese.

Step 6: Roll the noodle up tightly and place it seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles and fillings.

Step 7: Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the rolled noodles and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Step 8: Cover the dish with foil, making sure it does not touch the cheese, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the edges brown. For an extra toasty top, broil for 1-2 minutes if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley for a brighter flavor, or substitute with dried herbs if needed—just reduce the amount.

For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.

Allow the rolls to rest for 10 minutes before serving to help them set and make slicing easier.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 20 minutes. You can also freeze the roll ups—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

Can I prepare the lasagna roll ups ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the roll ups a day in advance and keep them refrigerated until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.

What type of cheese works best for the filling?

A combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan creates a creamy, flavorful filling. Whole milk ricotta gives the best texture, but part-skim works as a lower-fat option.