Easy Lasagna Roll Ups

If your family loves lasagna but you’re looking for something a little easier and more fun to serve, these Easy Lasagna Roll Ups are just the ticket. They have everything you love about classic lasagna—tender noodles, a savory meat sauce, plenty of melty cheese, and a creamy cottage cheese filling—but instead of layering everything in a pan, you simply roll it all up. I love that this recipe is budget-friendly, makes a generous meal for a family, and freezes beautifully, too. Make one pan for dinner and freeze another for a busy night when you need a homemade meal without all the work.

Why I love this recipe

There are a lot of lasagna recipes out there, but these are special to me because they are based on the lasagna I grew up eating.

My mom always made lasagna with cottage cheese. I honestly don’t remember even hearing about ricotta cheese until after I was married! So if you normally make lasagna with ricotta, I know cottage cheese might sound a little unusual. Trust me—give it a try.

Cottage cheese makes the filling creamy and delicious, and it is also a budget-friendly choice. When you’re feeding a family, little things like that can make a difference.

I also love that these roll ups are a little more playful than a traditional pan of lasagna. Instead of layering noodles, sauce and cheese, you spread the filling onto each noodle, roll it up, and place it seam side down in the baking dish.

It’s just more fun!

Gather these ingredients

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make this easy recipe.

For the Lasagna Roll Ups

You can use different types of cheese in lasagna, but I typically use an Italian blend shredded cheese. Mozzarella cheese also works beautifully and gives you that classic cheesy, melty topping.

For the Meat Sauce

The combination of spaghetti sauce and crushed tomatoes makes a simple, flavorful pasta sauce without requiring you to make sauce completely from scratch.

How to Make Easy Lasagna Roll Ups

1. Make the Meat Sauce

Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic in a large saucepan. Once the meat is no longer pink, add the Italian seasoning and salt.

Stir in the spaghetti sauce, crushed tomatoes, sugar, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a low boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.

This hearty meat sauce can be made ahead of time, which makes assembling the lasagna even easier.

2. Cook the Lasagna Noodles

While the sauce simmers, boil lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted water.

Cook the noodles for about 6 minutes. You don’t want to cook them completely because they will continue cooking in the oven. The goal is a little firmer than al dente so they are easy to handle and don’t fall apart when you roll them.

Once cooked, remove the noodles and lay them flat on a baking sheet.

3. Make the Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt.

Mix until everything is well combined.

Don’t overthink this step! The filling doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth.

4. Roll the Lasagna Noodles

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture down the center of each lasagna noodle.

Starting at one end or the other, gently roll the noodle up like a sleeping bag.

Here’s my biggest tip: roll gently! If you press too hard, the cheese filling will squish out the sides.

5. Assemble the Lasagna Roll Ups

Spread some of the pasta sauce across the bottom of a baking dish.

Place each roll-up into the bottom of a baking dish with the seam side down.

Once all of the noodles are rolled, spoon more sauce over the top, making sure the roll ups are well covered.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and return the pan to the oven uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

What to serve Lasagna Roll Ups with

Lasagna is already a hearty meal, so you don’t need much on the side.

Here are a few of my favorite options:

• A simple side salad
• Garlic knots
• A side of garlic bread
• Roasted vegetables
• Steamed broccoli

A crisp side salad and a side of garlic bread make this an especially easy dinner idea when you want to keep things simple.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lasagna Roll Ups

Can You Freeze Lasagna Roll Ups?

Yes! Lasagna roll ups freeze beautifully, which makes them perfect for meal prep or sharing a meal with someone else. If you’re making a double batch, divide the roll ups between two smaller freezer-safe baking dishes. Bake one for dinner and freeze the other for later.

To freeze, assemble the lasagna roll ups in a freezer-safe baking dish and allow them to cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, followed by foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. You may need to add about 15 minutes to the baking time.

Important: Remove all plastic wrap before putting the dish in the oven.

How Do You Store Leftover Lasagna Roll Ups?

Allow leftover lasagna roll ups to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

They reheat well, making them a great option for easy meal prep lunches or dinners. You can even portion individual roll ups into containers so they’re ready to grab and reheat.

Can I Use Ricotta Instead of Cottage Cheese?

Absolutely! You can substitute ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese if that’s what you prefer. However, cottage cheese is the way my mom always made lasagna, and it’s the version I’ve made for years. It’s creamy, delicious, and a little more budget-friendly.

Can I Use Mozzarella Cheese?

Yes! Mozzarella cheese is delicious in lasagna roll ups. You can use it on top, in the cheese filling, or both.

The original recipe calls for an Italian blend shredded cheese, but mozzarella gives these roll ups that classic, melty lasagna flavor everyone loves.

Can I Make Lasagna Roll Ups Ahead of Time?

Yes. Assemble the lasagna roll ups, cover them tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. You can also prepare the meat sauce ahead of time.

Having the sauce and roll ups ready to go makes this an easy dinner idea for a busy night. Simply bake when you’re ready!

Why Are My Lasagna Noodles Falling Apart?

The most common reason is overcooking the noodles. You want them tender enough to roll but still firm enough to hold their shape.

For this lasagna roll ups recipe, cook the noodles for about 6 minutes, or just shy of al dente. Once cooked, lay them flat rather than piling them together to keep them from sticking.

Can I Make Lasagna Roll Ups for a Crowd?

Absolutely! These are a great recipe for feeding a family or a crowd. Make the full recipe in a 9×13-inch baking dish, or divide it between two smaller pans.

You can bake one pan for dinner and freeze the other for later. Lasagna roll ups are also a wonderful make-ahead meal to share with someone who could use a homemade dinner.

A Few Tips for the Best Lasagna Roll Ups

Don’t overcook the noodles. They should be firm enough to roll without tearing.

Don’t overfill the noodles. About 2 tablespoons of filling is plenty. Too much filling will squeeze out as you roll.

Roll gently. Think of rolling up a sleeping bag rather than tightly rolling a burrito!

Keep the noodles covered with sauce. This helps keep them tender while they bake.

Make a double batch. If you’re already making one pan, it’s easy to make two and put one in the freezer.

Use what you have. This recipe is forgiving, so don’t worry if you need to substitute mozzarella for Italian blend cheese or use your favorite jarred pasta sauce.

Use leftover spaghetti sauce to save time in the kitchen.

Easy Lasagna Roll Ups: A Family Favorite

These Easy Lasagna Roll Ups really do check all the boxes: delicious, comforting, budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and easy to make.

They’re a fun twist on traditional lasagna while still giving you all those familiar flavors of classic lasagna that make everyone want to come back for seconds.

Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal, an easy dinner idea for your family, or a meal you can make ahead for someone else, these lasagna roll ups are a recipe worth keeping in your back pocket. And honestly, I love that my family will eat these two nights in a row. For a family that isn’t always excited about leftovers, that’s saying something!

Give this great recipe a try, and let me know what you think. If you make it, please rate the recipe, leave a comment, and pin it for later. I love hearing how my recipes make their way to your table!

From my table to yours with love,
Sheila

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