Lasagna Roll Ups

You can’t beat a classic lasagna with the layers of meaty, saucy, cheesy goodness. Unless, of course, you wrap all those delicious lasagna flavors up into lasagna roll-ups! These bite-sized spirals look as good as they taste, with layers of savory meat sauce, rich ricotta-mascarpone filling, and plenty of fresh, earthy flavor from kale and herbs. It’s one of our personal favorite flavor combos for lasagna, right up there with our veggie and ham-packed lasagna cups, chicken alfredo lasagna roll-ups, our super cozy lasagna soup, and lightened-up zucchini lasagna rolls. Did we mention we love lasagna?

Not only are lasagna roll-ups easier to assemble than traditional lasagna, but you won’t have to worry about losing half of the filling when slicing and serving, with every layer neatly tucked into each spiral. With just 30 minutes of prep time, they make for an easy weeknight meal when paired with a simple side salad and garlic toast. We highly recommend making a double batch and freezing the extras to satisfy a comfort food craving anytime, whether you’re making dinner for yourself or for a crowd.

How to Make Lasagna Roll Ups

Ingredients

Process

1. Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line boiled lasagna sheets onto a small baking sheet in a single layer. Top with parchment and more single layers of lasagna sheets. (this will help prevent the lasagna sheets from sticking together and will making them much easier to handle)
2. Place all the ricotta filling ingredients into a mixing bowl, season with salt and pepper.

3. Mix together until fully combined. Set aside.
4. Pour oil into a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, turkey, oregano, and basil and continue to sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Stir in marinara sauce and mix until just combined. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool slightly.
6. Place a cooked lasagna sheet onto a clean surface and top with a thin layer of the ricotta filling.

7. Top the ricotta filling with a thin layer of the meat filling.
8. Tightly roll the lasagna sheet up completely.

9. Pour 1 cups marinara into the bottom of an 8”x8” deep baking dish (or a round 3 to 4 quart deep baking dish) and set aside.
10. Carefully place roll up into the prepared baking dish, spiral side-up. Repeat until all of the sheets and filling have been used and snuggly fit into the baking dish. Top with remaining marinara.

11. Bake roll ups in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat, cool slightly and serve.

Tips for the BEST Lasagna Roll Ups

For Lasgana roll-ups that turn out perfect every single time, keep these tips in mind:

• Cook your lasagna noodles until just past al dente, so they’re soft enough to roll without cracking, but firm enough to hold their shape. When you think they’re about done, take one out, quickly run it under cold water, and do a test roll to make sure it’s a workable texture.
• To make your filling as easy to spread as possible, let the mascarpone come to room temperature before stirring it into the ricotta mixture.
• Squeeze as much liquid out of the kale as you can. If it’s too watery, it can turn your creamy filling into a soggy mess.
• Try not to make your layers of the ricotta filling and meat mixture too thick. Thin laters will help you get tighter spirals, holding everything inside.
• When you are putting your spirals into the baking dish, start at one corner and pack them tightly as you fill the dish. This will help keep them from coming apart as you’re adding them and while they bake. You may be tempted to just put them seam side down, but don’t! Having the spirals facing up helps the ridges turn beautifully golden brown and get the perfect amount of caramelization.

Easy Swaps and Variations

• Swap the protein: Instead of ground turkey, use ground beef, chicken, or Italian sausage. For a vegetarian version, you can use a mixture of lentils and sauteed chopped mushrooms or a meatless ground beef substitute.
• Swap the greens: You can skip the kale altogether if you’d like, or use another leafy green like spinach or swiss chard instead.
• Make it gluten-free: For gluten-free lasagna roll-ups, use gluten-free lasagna noodles! Just be sure to follow the directions on the package and take extra care, as gluten-free noodles can be more delicate than wheat-based ones.
• Change the cheese: If you can’t find mascarpone, you can substitute it with additional ricotta or a little bit of softened cream cheese for a similar effect. Just be sure to let it soften completely before mixing it in.
• Use a different sauce: We love our classic marinara for this recipe, but you can switch things up with a bright romesco sauce or a spicy arrabiata sauce.

Prepping Ahead, Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

Prep Ahead for Baking

You can easily assemble these roll-ups a day or two before you’re ready to bake for a truly simple weeknight dinner. Prepare the dish as directed, but instead of putting it in the oven, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerator for up to two days.

When you’re ready to bake, just take the pan out of the refrigerator, remove the cover, and let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. Since it’s starting out cold, it may need a few extra minutes in the oven to fully warm through.

Prep Ahead for Freezing

To make this dish and freeze it for later, prepare the lasagna roll-ups as directed, up to the point where you put the baking dish in the oven. Instead of baking, let the dish cool down to room temperature, then cover it in foil and freeze it for up to three months.

Baking From Frozen

When you’re ready to bake and serve the lasagna roll-ups:

• Preheat the oven to 375˚F
• Remove them from the freezer and cover the baking dish in foil. Bake for 40 minutes
• After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Storing Leftovers

Allow any leftover lasagna roll-ups to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheating Leftovers

We recommend reheating this dish in the oven, but a microwave works too!

To reheat in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the roll-ups in an oven-safe dish and cover it loosely with foil to prevent the lasagna from drying out. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through, removing the foil in the last five minutes to re-crisp up the edges if needed.

To reheat in the microwave

Place individual roll-ups on a microwave-safe plate, covered loosely with a paper towel. Heat in 60-second intervals until warmed through.

What to Serve with Lasagna Roll Ups

For a full balance meal, consider serving this with some of our favorite sides:

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted cauliflower
• Cheesy herb pull-apart bread
• Simple side salad
• Lightly roasted green beans

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