Nothing feels quite as comforting as a warm, cheesy dish fresh from the oven, and my Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe hits all the right notes. These roll ups are a fun twist on classic lasagna — perfect for sharing or meal prepping, and they bring a cozy, cheesy spinach goodness into every bite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made my share of lasagnas, but these Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups really stole my heart because they’re easier to portion, quicker to bake, and they pack in loads of creamy, cheesy spinach flavor. Once you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again.
- Perfect portion control: Each roll up is like a mini lasagna, so serving guests or feeding your family is a breeze.
- Simple prep: Boil the noodles just right, mix the filling, roll, and bake — no layered assembly needed.
- Deliciously cheesy and spinach-packed: The filling is creamy with ricotta and mozzarella, sneaking in some greens that everyone loves.
- Great make-ahead meal: You can prepare these in advance or freeze for later, making dinner time so much easier.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient brings something special to the table in this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe — from creamy textures to balanced flavors, and even pantry-friendly staples that make it budget-friendly and accessible.
- Lasagna noodles: Using traditional noodles gives structure, but boil them only till al dente so they roll without tearing.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and smooth, it’s the base of the filling, binding everything together perfectly.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds melty, stretchy goodness that's practically irresistible.
- Parmesan cheese: A touch of sharpness and umami to elevate the filling.
- Egg: Acts as a gentle binder in the filling to keep it from spilling out when baked.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all those rich flavors.
- Frozen spinach: Convenient and packed with nutrients — just be sure to squeeze out excess water for a non-soggy filling.
- Pasta sauce: A hearty jarred sauce works great here; it adds moisture and tangy tomato flavor to contrast the rich cheese.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to suit your tastes or dietary needs. I like to switch up the cheeses or sneak in extra herbs to keep things fresh and exciting.
- Variation: I’ve experimented with adding sautéed mushrooms or a pinch of nutmeg to the spinach filling — it adds a lovely earthy note that deepens the flavor beautifully.
- Dietary swaps: For a lighter take, try part-skim ricotta and reduced-fat mozzarella; if you’re dairy-free, vegan ricotta alternatives and dairy-free cheese blends work surprisingly well.
- Spicier twist: Toss in some crushed red pepper flakes into the tomato sauce to add a little welcome kick.
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. Adding salt here seasons the noodles from within, which is a crucial step that some folks forget. Once boiling, add your lasagna noodles and cook until al dente — usually 8 to 10 minutes. Don't overcook them; otherwise, they'll be fragile and tough to roll without ripping. Drain and lay them flat on a clean surface or baking sheet to cool slightly so they’re easier to handle when filling.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Spinach Cheese Filling
While the noodles cook, squeeze every bit of moisture out of that thawed spinach — trust me, this step really makes a difference in preventing sogginess. Then, mix the spinach together with ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl. Stir until you get a smooth, creamy filling. The textures should blend well but still have a bit of spinach to make every bite interesting.
Step 3: Assemble Your Roll Ups
Once the noodles are cool enough to touch, spread about ¼ cup of your spinach-ricotta filling evenly across each noodle, edge to edge, ensuring a good balance of cheese and greens. Don’t worry if the layer seems thin; you want to avoid overfilling so the rolls hold together tightly. Roll them up carefully and arrange them seam-side down in your casserole dish. You’ll probably have some leftover noodles — keep those handy in case some tear during rolling.
Step 4: Sauce and Cheese Topping
Pour your jar of pasta sauce over the lined roll ups, making sure they’re nicely covered — this keeps everything moist as it bakes. Then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly on top. Cover the dish with foil to prevent excessive browning while baking.
Step 5: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Bake your roll ups in a preheated 400ºF oven for 30 minutes. The heat melts the cheeses into a golden, bubbly dream and warms the filling through. After baking, let them rest for a few minutes before serving — it helps the filling set and makes the rolls easier to pick up.
Top Tip
After making this recipe countless times, I’ve learned that paying attention to noodle texture and spinach moisture really sets the roll ups apart from ordinary lasagna. These little details guarantee a neat, delicious dish every time.
- Perfectly Al Dente Noodles: Boil noodles just until they’re firm yet flexible — overcooked noodles tear easily, undercooked ones are tough to roll.
- Drain Spinach Well: Excess water from spinach makes the filling runny; use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze it dry.
- Don't Overfill: Use modest amounts of filling so rolls stay tightly packed and don’t spill over when baking.
- Let it Rest: After baking, let the roll ups cool for 5 minutes so they set before serving — this keeps everything in place and easier to eat.
How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish these roll ups with a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley — the fresh herb aroma contrasts so nicely with the rich cheese. A light dusting of extra Parmesan over the top just before serving adds a lovely nutty touch too.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, I usually serve these with a crisp mixed greens salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or a side of garlic roasted vegetables. The brightness of the salad really balances the creamy roll ups perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party idea, arrange the roll ups upright in a pretty baking dish, and everyone can pick their own. You can also serve them individually on small plates with a drizzle of extra sauce and a basil leaf for a more elegant presentation. It looks super inviting and feels special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating with a little extra sauce over the top keeps them from drying out, and they taste almost as good as fresh.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these roll ups both pre-baked and post-baked. To freeze pre-baked, assemble the roll ups and cover the dish tightly before freezing. When ready, bake straight from frozen but add extra baking time. For post-baked, cool completely, wrap each roll or the entire dish, then freeze. Reheat covered until warmed through.
Reheating
I prefer reheating in the oven at 350ºF with a foil cover to preserve moisture, usually for 15–20 minutes depending on portion size. Microwaving works in a pinch but can sometimes make the noodles a bit chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can! Use about 12 oz. of fresh spinach, sauté it lightly until wilted, then squeeze out all the moisture before mixing it into the filling. This keeps the texture just right and prevents sogginess.
Make sure to separate the noodles as soon as you drain them and lay them flat on a clean towel or baking sheet. You can also drizzle a small amount of olive oil over them and gently toss to keep them from sticking while you prepare the filling.
Absolutely! Use gluten-free lasagna noodles available at most grocery stores. Just check cooking times on the package as they might differ slightly. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
This recipe makes about 8 servings, with 2 roll ups per person, which is generally perfect for a family meal or small group dinner. It’s easy to scale up if you’re feeding more people.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something comforting but not fussy. I love how it blends hearty cheese, fresh spinach, and tangy sauce into manageable, satisfying portions. I’m pretty sure once you give these a try, they’ll become a regular in your rotation too — and you’ll appreciate how approachable and rewarding they are to make. So, grab your apron and enjoy rolling up a batch!
Print
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 comforting Lasagna Roll Ups featuring tender lasagna noodles filled with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture, topped with savory pasta sauce and melted mozzarella. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta and Filling
- 12 oz. lasagna noodles
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 10 oz. frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
Sauce
- 1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Boil Noodles: Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt to season the water, then add the lasagna noodles. Boil them just until al dente to prevent them from becoming too soft and delicate for rolling. Drain the noodles in a colander.
- Prepare Spinach and Cheese Filling: While noodles are boiling, thoroughly drain the thawed spinach, squeezing out excess water. In a bowl, combine the spinach with ricotta, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well until evenly mixed.
- Assemble Roll Ups: When noodles are cool enough to handle, lay them flat on a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling evenly onto each noodle from edge to edge. Roll each noodle up tightly and place the roll seam side down into a large casserole dish. Repeat until all filling is used, yielding about 16 roll ups. Keep extra noodles aside as backups in case some tear.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce evenly over the assembled roll ups in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top to create a delicious cheesy layer.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil to prevent drying. Bake in the preheated oven at 400ºF for 30 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve the lasagna roll ups hot. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the lasagna noodles to prevent them from tearing when rolling.
- You can substitute frozen spinach with fresh spinach cooked and drained.
- Use part-skim ricotta cheese for a lighter dish.
- If you like, add Italian seasoning or garlic to the filling for extra flavor.
- Leftover roll ups can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up (about ⅛ of recipe)
- 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: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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