Easy Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe For Two

This Easy Lasagna Roll Ups recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of traditional lasagna, but in a more individualized way. Instead of having several layers of pasta, cheese and meat sauce, the ingredients are spread on individual lasagna noodles and rolled.

Then they are put into a baking dish and topped with meat sauce and cheese. Once they are baked they are perfectly portioned for an easy to serve dinner for two (or three).

One roll maybe enough to satisfy your craving for a hearty comfort food meal. However the flavors are so good that you will most likely indulge in a second one.

This small batch recipe is designed to make 6 individual rolls, Therefore, you will most likely have enough leftover to enjoy another meal later in the week.

And we all know that classic comfort foods such as meatloaf, chili and lasagna only get better with time. So get ready to enjoy a delicious meal that is perfect to serve for Sunday supper or on any cold and crisp day.

How To Cook Lasagna Noodles

When purchasing your lasagna noodles, it’s important to pick the standard variety over the oven-ready type. The standard noodles need to be boiled which will allow the pasta to become the perfect texture for roll ups.

However you need to be sure just cook them to an al dente texture. This will ensure that they can be pliable enough to be rolled up, but won’t tear or fall apart during the process.

However as soon as they come out of the boiling water, it’s imperative to immediately cool them under cold water. This not only stops the cooking process but also makes them easier to handle.

Once they are cool enough to handle place them on parchment paper or a baking sheet sprayed with a light coat of oil. This will prevent them from sticking to the surface ensuring your roll up process is easy.

Lasagna Roll Ups Filling

The filling begins with a delicious three cheese layer. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese, melt in your mouth mozzarella cheese, and the sharp tang of Parmesan cheese creates a delicious trio that is often found in traditional lasagna.

Add in a little dried Italian seasoning and you have created a delicious base for your roll ups.

Meat Sauce

The meat sauce in this lasagna roll up recipe is all about providing the most flavor. Therefore it is best to use a blend of both ground beef and ground sausage.

I like to make it even more flavorful and use hot Italian sausage. However you can use mild sausage, or even turkey or chicken sausage if you prefer.

Although the combination of the two types of meat is recommended, you can also just stick to using a single variety of meat if you prefer. However, if you are going to choose one, I would suggest using all sausage instead of all ground beef to get the most flavor.

How To Assemble Lasagna Roll Ups

Assembling these lasagna roll-ups is actually easy to do. And with a little practice, it only gets easier.

Start with spreading your cheese filling over the center of each lasagna noodle. Then add a hearty layer of the meat sauce.

The rolling process might seem daunting at first, but after you have rolled one or two you will have them rolled up and placed in the baking dish in no time.

Start at one end and tightly roll the noodles. As you roll, be sure to tuck the filling inside. Then when you get to the other end, gently fold the edge over the roll and place in the baking dish, seam side down.

Then all that is left to do is add the remaining meat sauce and Mozzarella cheese on top. However before you put the baking dish in oven be sure to cover it will foil that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

The foil will help trap in the moisture, allowing the noodles to cook properly. And the spray is used to prevent the cheese from sticking to it as it melts.

Easy Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Filling Ingredients:
7.5 oz. ricotta cheese
1 egg white
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Meat Sauce:
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
1/4 lb. ground beef
1/4 lb. ground Italian sausage
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chicken broth
16 oz. marinara sauce

Lasagna:
6 lasagna noodles (I cook 7 just in case of breakage)
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Before making lasagna roll ups preheat the oven to 375°F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

While you wait for the water to boil prepare the filling by placing the filling ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and stir until well incorporated. Set aside.

Take 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce and spread it on the bottom of a 8 x 8 inch baking dish.

In a medium size pan add the olive oil and place over medium heat. Add the diced onions. Let them soften for 8 minutes.

Add the ground beef and sausage to the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. While the meat browns use a spatula to break up the meat so that it crumbles into small pieces. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. 

Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Add the chicken broth and use a wooden spatula to deglaze the bottom pot, releasing any stuck bits. Add the remaining marinara sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. Add the meat mixture back into the pot and continue to simmer.

Place the lasagna noodles in the boiling water and cook to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and immediately rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then place the noodles on parchment paper or a baking sheet sprayed with oil.

Assembling Lasagna Roll Ups

Spread 2 heaping tablespoons of the filling mixture over the center of each lasagna noodle.

Then spread ¼ cup of the meat sauce over cheese filling.

Roll up the noodles tightly, tucking the filling in as you roll and transfer them to the prepared baking dish, seam side down. Top the the pasta with the remaining meat sauce. Then sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Spray one side of a piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray and tent it over top of the baking dish to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.

Place the dish in preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Option – remove foil and place the dish under a broiler to lightly brown the cheese.

Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Enjoy! Mary

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