Getting a cozy, comforting dinner on the table takes just about an hour with this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe. It’s a delicious twist on classic lasagna that’s fun to make and perfect for feeding your crew or meal prepping for the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I stumbled upon this recipe during a busy weeknight when I wanted all the cozy vibes of lasagna but without the long assembly and baking time. These roll ups are not only tasty but so easy to portion and serve—you’re going to love how effortless they are!
- Easy Prep: Rolling up the lasagna noodles means no layering stress and it cuts cooking time significantly.
- Perfect Portions: Each roll is an individual serving, great for leftovers or meal prep convenience.
- Deliciously Cheesy: The creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella combined with spinach make for a rich and satisfying filling.
- Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters tend to love these, making dinner time easier for you.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic is in using simple, familiar ingredients that come together to create something special. The spinach adds a healthy touch, but the cheeses keep everything rich and comforting. Choosing a good-quality pasta sauce can elevate this dish without any extra effort.
- Lasagna noodles: I prefer no-boil noodles for extra convenience, but regular noodles work great as long as you boil them al dente so they don’t tear.
- Ricotta cheese: Whole milk ricotta gives the filling a creamy, luscious texture without being too dense.
- Mozzarella cheese: Using half the mozzarella in the filling and half on top ensures a melty, golden topping and a gooey inside.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a subtle salty tang—don’t skip this little dose of umami.
- Egg: Acts as a binder so the filling holds together nicely when you roll the noodles.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring the filling to life—don’t guess, taste as you go!
- Frozen spinach: Thawed and squeezed dry, it packs flavor and nutrients without being watery.
- Pasta sauce: A good jarred tomato sauce, whether classic marinara or something with herbs, works perfectly and saves time.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is how easy it is to tweak depending on what you have in your fridge or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Vegetarian+: Swap frozen spinach for sautéed mushrooms or zucchini for a different flavor and texture—I do this when my kids want something less green.
- Protein Boost: Add cooked Italian sausage or ground turkey to the filling mixture for a heartier meal.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna sheets—you might want to watch the cooking time carefully since they can get delicate.
- Spicy Twist: Mix red pepper flakes into the filling or sauce if you want a little kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Cook the noodles just right
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until just al dente. This is key—you don’t want them too soft or they’ll tear when rolling. Drain and let them cool slightly so you can handle them without burning your fingers.
Step 2: Prepare the cheesy spinach filling
While the noodles cook, squeeze as much water as possible out of your thawed spinach—wet filling means soggy roll ups. Mix it with ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly combined. This filling is creamy and full of flavor!
Step 3: Roll ’em up
On a clean surface, spread about a quarter cup of the filling on each noodle from edge to edge. It’s okay if it’s a thin layer—you just want enough to get cheesy bites in every roll. Roll up each noodle carefully and place them seam side down in a casserole dish. If any noodles break, keep extras on the side as a backup.
Step 4: Top and bake
Pour your pasta sauce evenly over the roll ups, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. The cheese on top will melt beautifully and the sauce will bubble around the edges—pure comfort food magic.
Top Tip
From my many attempts making this recipe, I’ve learned some tricks to keep your Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups perfect every time. These tips save so much stress and keep things tasty.
- Don’t overcook noodles: Cook lasagna noodles just until al dente. Overcooked noodles become mushy and hard to roll without tearing.
- Squeeze spinach well: Excess water ruins the texture of the filling. Use a clean kitchen towel or your hands to press out as much liquid as possible.
- Spread filling thinly: You don’t need a thick layer. Thin spreading prevents the rolls from bursting open during baking.
- Let rest before serving: After baking, let the roll ups sit a few minutes so they firm up slightly—makes them easier to serve and less messy.
How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley when serving—it adds a pop of color and a fresh note to balance the richness. A little extra grated Parmesan on top never hurts either.
Side Dishes
A crisp green salad or some roasted garlic bread pairs wonderfully. I often roast a veggie side like asparagus or Brussels sprouts to round out the meal and add some texture.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve arranged these roll ups standing side by side in deep ramekins for individual servings—it feels fancy but keeps the comfort intact. You can also drizzle a little extra pesto or balsamic glaze for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently so the cheese stays melty and the noodles don’t dry out. I usually use a microwave with a damp paper towel over the rolls or reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze individual roll ups on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag for convenience. When you want them, bake covered directly from frozen at 375°F, adding extra baking time until heated through.
Reheating
I find reheating in the oven helps maintain the best texture—the cheese stays melty without drying out. Cover with foil for the first 15 minutes, then uncover to let the cheese on top brown if you like.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! If you use fresh spinach, sauté it briefly until wilted, then let it cool and squeeze out all excess moisture before mixing into the filling. This prevents watery roll ups.
Absolutely, you can assemble the roll ups a day in advance, cover them tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, just add the sauce and cheese topping and bake as directed.
The key is cooking the noodles just al dente and drying the spinach thoroughly. Also, be sure not to over-sauce the rolls before baking—just enough to cover them comfortably.
Yes! Using gluten-free lasagna noodles, you can make this recipe gluten-free. Just handle the noodles gently and adjust cooking times as some gluten-free pastas cook faster or get more fragile.
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I love how simple it is to make while still impressing anyone at the table. Give it a try—you might find this becomes your go-to comfort meal just like it did for me!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy Lasagna Roll Ups featuring tender noodles filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, topped with rich pasta sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Lasagna Roll Ups
- 12 oz. lasagna noodles
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling noodles)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Boil Noodles: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon salt to season the water, then add the lasagna noodles. Boil the noodles until they are al dente, ensuring they remain firm enough to roll without breaking. Drain the noodles in a colander and let them cool enough to handle.
- Prepare Filling: While the noodles cook, drain the thawed spinach thoroughly by squeezing out excess water. In a mixing bowl, combine the spinach with ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir all ingredients until evenly mixed to create a creamy filling.
- Assemble Roll Ups: Lay the cooled noodles on a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling evenly over each noodle, covering from edge to edge. Roll each filled noodle carefully to form neat rolls. Place the rolls seam-side down into a large casserole dish. Repeat until all filling and noodles are used, aiming to make approximately 16 roll ups. Save any extra noodles as backups in case some roll up tears.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce evenly over the arranged lasagna roll ups in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top for a bubbly, cheesy finish.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. After baking, serve the lasagna roll ups hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach to prevent the filling from becoming watery.
- Boil noodles until just al dente to avoid tearing when rolling.
- Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- If you prefer, substitute frozen spinach with fresh spinach that has been sautéed and drained.
- Leftover roll ups can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Allow baked roll ups to rest for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up (approximately)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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