Lasagna Roll Ups – Easy Baked Pasta with Meat & Cheese

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!