There’s something incredibly satisfying about individual portions of cheesy, saucy lasagna—especially when they’re rolled up into perfect little bundles.
These Lasagna Roll Ups deliver everything you love about traditional lasagna: tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty cheese, all in a family-friendly, easy-to-serve format.
They’re perfect for meal prep, dinner parties, or just a cozy night in. Trust me—once you try them, you might never go back to the layered version again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Portion-perfect and freezer-friendly
Less messy than layered lasagna
Filled with creamy, cheesy goodness
Baked with marinara for rich, saucy flavor
Crowd-pleasing and kid-approved
What You’ll Need (Ingredient Highlights)
Lasagna noodles – cooked and laid flat for rolling
Ground beef – hearty, flavorful protein
Yellow onion & garlic – build the base of the meat sauce
Marinara sauce – your favorite jarred or homemade
Ricotta cheese – creamy and rich filling
Mozzarella & parmesan – melty, cheesy topping
Egg – helps bind the cheese mixture together
Pro Tips Before You Start
Cook the noodles just until al dente, so they don’t break while rolling
Use parchment paper under rolls to avoid sticking
Let the meat sauce cool slightly before filling
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly to the edges of each noodle
Don’t overfill – it makes rolling and baking easier
How to Make Lasagna Roll Ups
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a parchment-lined tray to cool.
Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce
In a skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic.
Drain any excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5–7 minutes to combine flavors.
Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Filling
In a large bowl, mix ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, one egg, salt, and pepper.
Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Roll Ups
Spread a spoonful of the cheese filling across each lasagna noodle.
Top with a small amount of meat sauce. Carefully roll each noodle from one end to the other.
Step 5: Arrange in Baking Dish
Spoon marinara sauce on the bottom of a greased 9×13” baking dish.
Place each roll seam-side down into the dish.
Pour remaining meat sauce over the rolls and sprinkle with more mozzarella and parmesan.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
What to Serve It With
A crisp Caesar or Italian salad
Garlic bread or buttery breadsticks
Roasted vegetables like zucchini or broccoli
A glass of red wine (Chianti or Merlot)
Sparkling water with lemon for balance
Variations / Substitutions
Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef
Add spinach or mushrooms to the cheese mixture
Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if needed
Make it spicy with red pepper flakes in the sauce
Use gluten-free lasagna noodles for a GF version
Storage & Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days
Reheat in microwave or covered in oven at 325°F until warmed through
Freeze unbaked or baked roll ups for up to 3 months
Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating
Freeze individually for meal prep or lunchboxes
FAQs
Can I make these lasagna roll ups ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can I freeze lasagna roll ups?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze before or after baking. They reheat beautifully.
What kind of sauce works best?
A rich, flavorful marinara is perfect, but you can use any tomato-based pasta sauce you like.
Do I have to use ricotta cheese?
No, you can substitute with cottage cheese or a mix of cream cheese and sour cream for a different flavor.
Why do my noodles break when rolling?
They may be overcooked. Aim for al dente texture and let them cool slightly before handling.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Just skip the meat and use a veggie marinara sauce with spinach or sautéed mushrooms.
Final Thoughts
These Lasagna Roll Ups are everything you love about lasagna, made even easier to serve, freeze, and enjoy.
They’re flavorful, comforting, and absolutely irresistible—especially with that bubbling layer of melted cheese on top.
Next time you’re in the mood for lasagna but don’t want the hassle of layering, roll it up instead. You won’t regret it!
Lasagna Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce divided
- 1¾ cups ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese divided
- 1 egg
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook lasagna noodles and lay flat to cool.
- In a skillet, cook beef with onion and garlic until browned. Stir in 1½ cups marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Spread cheese mixture on noodles, top with meat sauce, and roll up.
- Spread 1 cup marinara in bottom of greased 9×13” dish. Add roll ups seam-down.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/lasagna-roll-ups/
Notes
- For added flavor, mix fresh basil or Italian seasoning into the cheese filling.
- You can prep and roll the lasagna ahead of time—refrigerate up to 1 day before baking.
- Swap ground beef with Italian sausage or ground turkey for variation.
