There’s something so comforting about the cheesy goodness and tender spinach wrapped inside pasta, isn’t there? This Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is one of those dishes that feels special enough for company but simple enough for weeknight dinners—a real win-win in my book.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I fell for this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe the first time I made it because it’s a fresh spin on classic lasagna—easy to portion, super cheesy, and loaded with nutritious spinach. It’s also very forgiving, which means you don’t have to stress if things aren’t perfect.
- Fun and Convenient: Each roll up is already portioned, so it's perfect for serving family or meal prepping.
- Loaded with Flavor: Rich ricotta blends beautifully with melty mozzarella and Parmesan, balancing the earthiness of spinach.
- Time-Saving: Quick to assemble and bakes faster than traditional layered lasagna.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe plays a role, creating harmony between creamy, cheesy filling and pasta. Shopping for fresh yet budget-friendly items will make your cooking smoother and tastier.
- Lasagna noodles: Boiling them just until al dente ensures they’re pliable for rolling without breaking.
- Ricotta cheese: The creamy base that binds the filling and keeps it luscious.
- Mozzarella cheese: Added in two parts—one in the filling for milky melt and one on top for a golden crust.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty kick that rounds out the cheesy flavors.
- Egg: Acts as a binder so the filling sets nicely inside the rolled noodles.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the depth of every ingredient.
- Frozen spinach: Thawed and squeezed to remove excess water, it mixes in seamlessly without making the filling watery.
- Pasta sauce: A good-quality jar works great here, coating the rolls and keeping them moist while baking.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the mood we’re in. It's one of those recipes that welcomes your own spin, so don’t hesitate to experiment.
- Variation: Once, I added cooked mushrooms and fresh basil into the filling for an earthy, herbal twist that my friends couldn’t stop raving about.
- Dietary swap: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free lasagna noodles—they roll up just as nice when cooked carefully.
- Cheese choice: Try swapping mozzarella for fontina or provolone for a different melty profile.
- Sauce switch: I sometimes use a spicy arrabbiata sauce to bring some heat and balance the creaminess.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Boil the noodles just right
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook them until just al dente—this usually means tasting one after about 8-9 minutes. The noodles should be tender but still firm enough to roll without falling apart. Drain them carefully and lay flat on a clean kitchen towel or baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
Step 2: Prepare the creamy spinach filling
While noodles cool, squeeze as much water out of the thawed spinach as you can—this step makes a big difference in the filling texture. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and the squeezed spinach until combined. I find using my hands or a sturdy spoon helps incorporate everything evenly without overmixing.
Step 3: Spread and roll with care
Lay each noodle flat and spread about ¼ cup of the spinach-cheese mixture in a thin, even layer from one edge to the other. Don't worry if it looks thin—the flavors meld during baking. Roll the noodle up gently but firmly to keep the filling inside. Place each rollup seam-side down in your casserole dish. If some noodles tear, save them as backups to patch or make mini roll ups.
Step 4: Sauce and cheese top-off
Once all the roll ups are snugly in the dish, pour your jar of pasta sauce evenly on top to keep everything moist. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce. This layer adds that irresistible bubbly, golden finish.
Step 5: Bake to perfection
Cover your casserole with foil and bake at 400ºF for about 30 minutes. This gives the flavors enough time to meld and the cheese to melt perfectly. If you like your cheese extra bubbly, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set up.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe multiple times, these simple tips will elevate your dish and help avoid common mishaps.
- Don’t overcook the noodles: They get delicate fast, so timing is everything. Overcooked noodles are prone to tearing when you roll them up.
- Drain spinach thoroughly: Excess moisture is often the culprit behind soggy roll ups. I squeeze mine with a clean dish towel—works like magic.
- Use enough filling but keep it thin: Too thick and the rolls become messy to handle; too thin and they might feel dry. Balance is key.
- Cover with foil while baking: This traps moisture and stops the noodles from drying out before the cheese has fully melted.
How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle some freshly chopped basil or parsley on top before serving—it adds that fresh note and lovely color contrast. A light dusting of extra Parmesan is also a nice touch if you’re feeling indulgent.
Side Dishes
Since these roll ups are rich and filling, I like pairing them with a crisp Caesar salad or garlic-roasted green beans. A crusty slice of garlic bread or a simple mixed green salad balances the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged these roll ups upright in a colorful casserole dish to show off the swirled filling—it looks so impressive. You can even prepare and bake them in individual ramekins for a unique single-serving presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They usually stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days, making great next-day lunches or dinners.
Freezing
I’ve frozen unbaked assembled roll ups covered tightly in foil and plastic wrap—just pop them in the oven straight from the freezer, adding extra bake time. It’s a wonderful option for meal prepping or saving for busy nights.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered loosely with foil in a 350ºF oven until warmed through to preserve moisture. Alternatively, the microwave works in a pinch, but the oven gives you the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! If you use fresh spinach, wilt it down in a hot pan briefly, then squeeze out all the excess moisture before mixing it into the filling. This keeps the roll ups from getting soggy.
You can assemble the roll ups a day in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Bring them to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.
While freezing cooked roll ups is possible, I recommend freezing them unbaked for better texture upon reheating. If you freeze cooked leftovers, reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Laying the cooked noodles flat on a clean kitchen towel or a lightly oiled baking sheet helps prevent sticking. Also, avoid piling them up while still warm and moist, which makes them stick together more easily.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is one of those cozy, feel-good dishes that I like to keep in my weeknight arsenal. It’s approachable, delicious, and lets you feel fancy with minimal fuss. Give it a try—you might find it becomes your go-to pasta dinner as well.
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Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups 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 made with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, and savory pasta sauce, baked to perfection for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz. lasagna noodles
Cheese and Filling
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
Sauce
- 1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven and cook noodles: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon salt to the water. Add the lasagna noodles and boil until just al dente, being careful not to overcook so they remain firm enough to roll. Drain the noodles in a colander.
- Prepare filling: While noodles boil, squeeze excess water from thawed spinach. In a bowl, combine the spinach with ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Assemble roll ups: Once noodles are cool enough to handle, lay them flat on a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling evenly over each noodle edge to edge. Roll each noodle tightly and place seam side down in a large casserole dish. Repeat until all filling is used; you should get about 16 roll ups, with possibly a few noodles left over for backup.
- 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 shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve hot and enjoy your delicious lasagna roll ups.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook noodles to ensure they are easy to roll without breaking.
- Squeeze as much water as possible from thawed spinach to prevent watery filling.
- If any noodles tear during rolling, use the extra noodles as backups or overlap to secure the filling.
- You can use fresh spinach instead of frozen by sautéing it lightly and squeezing out excess moisture.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the pasta sauce contains no meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2 roll ups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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