Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

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.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?

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.

Can I make these roll ups ahead of time?

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.

What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?

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.

Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups - Easy, Delicious Dinner

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

Scale

Lasagna Roll Ups

12 oz. lasagna noodles
15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 large egg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed
1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce

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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 tsp 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 1/4 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