Getting a comforting Italian dinner on your table takes just about an hour with this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for anyone who loves a cheesy, veggie-filled spin on classic lasagna.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I first made these roll ups, I was hooked instantly—not just because they taste amazing, but because they bring together the best parts of lasagna in a neat, fun-to-eat package. You'll love how easy they are to prep and how the filling stays gloriously cheesy and spinach-rich.
- Perfect portion control: Each roll is like a mini lasagna slice, making serving and leftovers a breeze.
- Speedy prep and cook time: Whole dinner ready in under an hour, great for busy weeknights.
- Loaded with cheesy spinach goodness: Creamy ricotta and spinach combo means you get veggies without sacrificing flavor.
- Customizable and kid-friendly: You can easily swap or add ingredients to fit your family’s preferences.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Everything in this recipe is selected to create a rich, balanced texture and flavor without fuss. The combination of creamy cheeses with hearty spinach and tender noodles is just right, and the pasta sauce ties it all together beautifully.
- Lasagna noodles: Use regular noodles—boil them al dente so they’re easy to roll without breaking.
- Whole milk ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess and a light tang, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Divided to mix into filling and melt on top for gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Grated Parmesan: Gives a sharp, nutty note that elevates the overall flavor.
- Large egg: Binds the filling ingredients so they hold together well inside the roll ups.
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper: Simple seasoning to highlight the cheesy spinach mix.
- Frozen spinach (thawed and drained): The veggie star—packed with nutrients but won't overwhelm the flavor.
- Jarred pasta sauce: Choose a good quality sauce with basil or Italian seasoning to complement the cheeses.
Make It Your Way
I love this recipe as-is, but it's fun to put your twist on it. I sometimes sneak in sautéed mushrooms or swap fresh spinach for frozen when I’m pressed for time. You should definitely experiment and find your favorite combo!
- Meat variation: Adding cooked Italian sausage or ground beef to the cheese-spinach filling adds hearty flavor—I tried this for my family’s special Sunday dinner, and they loved it.
- Veggie boost: Feel free to add finely chopped bell peppers or zucchini for extra color and nutrients.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles; just watch cooking times as they can differ.
- Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the filling or sauce livens it up nicely without overpowering.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Perfect the noodles
Start by heating your oven to 400ºF and boiling a large pot of salted water. When it boils, add the lasagna noodles and cook them until just al dente—maybe around 8-10 minutes. You want them tender enough to roll but not mushy, otherwise they’ll tear, which I’ve done more than once! Drain and lay them out flat on a clean kitchen towel to cool while you prep the filling.
Step 2: Mixing that creamy filling
Drain the thawed spinach really well—you’ll want to squeeze out every bit of water, or your filling will get watery. Then, in a big bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly until it’s all combined into a smooth, thick mixture.
Step 3: Roll ’em up
Lay a noodle on your work surface, spread about ¼ cup of the filling evenly over it from edge to edge—don't stress about a super thick layer, thin is perfect. Roll it up gently and place it seam-side down in your casserole dish. Repeat until you use all filling, which should give you around 16 roll ups. Keep a few extra noodles handy if any break.
Step 4: Sauce, cheese, and bake
Once all your roll ups are snug in the pan, pour the pasta sauce evenly over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. When you pull them out, the cheese will be melted and bubbly, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
Top Tip
From cooking this recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help you win with these roll ups:
- Don’t overcook noodles: Overly soft noodles fall apart when rolling—boil just until al dente and cool them flat on a towel.
- Drain your spinach thoroughly: Excess water in the filling can make the whole dish soggy.
- Roll gently but firmly: Taking your time rolling avoids breaks and keeps the filling intact.
- Use fresh-quality sauce: A flavorful jarred sauce makes a big difference and saves time!
How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra grated Parmesan and some freshly chopped basil on top right before serving. It adds a lovely fresh pop and a nice color contrast. A drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes also livens the dish up.
Side Dishes
This pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad tossed with a lemon vinaigrette or garlic bread to soak up all those saucy leftovers. Roasted vegetables like zucchini or asparagus are great sides too if you want more greens.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I’ve served these roll ups in individual ramekins for a personal touch, topped with a basil leaf and a light dusting of parmesan. They look so inviting and guests love the single-serving presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover roll ups store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just cover them well with foil or plastic wrap to keep the cheese moist and creamy.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, assemble and roll the lasagna, then freeze before baking. You can wrap the entire casserole or individual roll ups tightly in foil and place them in freezer bags. They’ll keep for up to 3 months—perfect for meal prepping!
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a 350ºF oven covered with foil until warmed through—about 20 minutes. This helps the cheese stay gooey without drying out. If reheating from frozen, allow extra bake time, and make sure it's heated evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you use fresh spinach, sauté it first until wilted, then squeeze out all the excess moisture before mixing it into the cheese filling. This ensures you don’t end up with watery rolls.
After boiling, immediately spread the noodles out on a clean kitchen towel or baking sheet to cool. You can also lightly drizzle or brush them with olive oil to keep each noodle separate and pliable for rolling.
Yes, you can assemble the roll ups a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator before baking. This is great for saving time on the day you plan to serve.
If you don’t have ricotta, you can use cottage cheese blended until smooth or even cream cheese softened. Each substitute will slightly change texture but still deliver a creamy filling.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to because it’s just so cozy and crowd-pleasing. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a casual dinner party, it always feels like a little celebration in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try it and make this cheesy, spinach-stuffed goodness a new favorite in your household too!
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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-to-make Lasagna Roll Ups filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked to perfection under a layer of melted mozzarella and pasta sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner that serves eight.
Ingredients
Lasagna Roll Ups
- 12 oz. lasagna noodles
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Boil Noodles. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat, add 1 teaspoon of salt to season. Add the lasagna noodles and boil them just until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, being careful not to overcook so they remain firm enough to roll. Drain the noodles in a colander and let them cool enough to handle.
- Prepare the Filling. While the noodles are boiling, thoroughly drain the thawed spinach by squeezing out excess water. In a mixing bowl, combine the spinach with the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble the Roll Ups. Lay out several noodles on a clean surface once they are cool to the touch. Spread approximately ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese mixture evenly across each noodle, covering edge to edge. Then, carefully roll each noodle up tightly and place the roll seam-side down into a large casserole dish. Continue until all the filling is used. You should get about 16 roll ups; any leftover noodles can be kept as backup in case some tear during rolling.
- Add Sauce and Cheese. Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce evenly over the rolled noodles in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top to add a bubbly golden crust when baked.
- Bake and Serve. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the cheese has melted and the filling is hot throughout. Serve the lasagna roll ups warm and enjoy this comforting Italian-inspired dish.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles, as they can become too fragile to roll properly.
- Fully draining the spinach is essential to avoid excess moisture that would make the filling watery.
- You can substitute frozen spinach with fresh spinach, cooked down and drained thoroughly.
- Use a good quality pasta sauce for the best flavor, or make your own if preferred.
- Leftover roll ups reheat well in the oven covered with foil to retain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up (approximate)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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