There’s something irresistibly comforting about pasta filled with creamy cheese and spinach, all wrapped up in neat little bundles. This Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe takes classic lasagna flavors and turns them into an approachable, fun dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ever noticed how traditional lasagna can feel a bit intimidating or heavy? That's why I adore this Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe — it's lighter than the usual layered lasagna but still packed full of cheesy goodness. Plus, rolling the noodles up feels so satisfying, like creating little savory gifts for yourself and your loved ones.
- Simple assembly: Rolling up noodles is way less fussy than layering a whole pan and makes portioning a breeze.
- Fresh flavor balance: The spinach adds that lovely pop of greens and freshness against the creamy ricotta and mozzarella.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in other veggies or cheeses to suit your tastes without losing the heart of the recipe.
- Great for company or meal prep: Makes a beautiful baked dish to impress or portion out for lunches during the week.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe really comes down to how these ingredients play together. The creamy ricotta mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan gives a luscious, melty filling that pairs beautifully with the mild earthiness of spinach. The pasta sauce ties it all together with familiar Italian flavor, making each bite so comforting.
- Lasagna noodles: Boiled to just al dente so they’re pliable enough to roll without falling apart.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds richness and creaminess to the filling; whole milk ricotta works best for texture.
- Mozzarella cheese: Divided between filling and topping for melty stretchiness and flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: A punch of umami that deepens the cheesy blend.
- Egg: Helps bind the cheese and spinach mixture so it holds together inside the roll ups.
- Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
- Frozen spinach: Thawed and squeezed dry so the filling isn’t watery but still packed with healthy greens.
- Pasta sauce: A jar of your favorite marinara or tomato basil sauce adds tang and moisture during baking.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe depending on what I have in the fridge or the mood I’m in. It’s such a flexible base that lets you get creative without risking the dish falling flat.
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping spinach for sautéed mushrooms and kale for a heartier earthiness — it gives the rolls a really cozy vibe.
- Make it vegan: Use dairy-free ricotta and mozzarella options, and replace the egg with a flax “egg” for binding; just watch the cooking time closely.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a subtle kick that pairs well with the creamy cheese.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Boil noodles perfectly
First things first, get a large pot of water boiling with a teaspoon of salt — this seasons the noodles as they cook. Drop in the lasagna noodles and boil them just until al dente. That means they're cooked but still firm – you want them pliable enough to roll without tearing. Trust me, overcooked noodles are slippery and prone to breaking. Once done, drain the noodles in a colander and let them cool enough to handle.
Step 2: Prepare the spinach cheese filling
While the noodles cool, squeeze out every last bit of water from the thawed spinach — moisture is your enemy here. Mix the spinach with ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl until everything’s evenly blended. This mixture should be creamy but spreadable, ready to slide onto the noodles.
Step 3: Roll ‘em up
Lay out your noodles on a clean surface — I usually do a baking sheet or a large cutting board. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach filling on each noodle, covering it edge to edge, though it doesn’t need to be thick. Then gently roll up each noodle and arrange them snugly in a greased casserole dish. You’ll aim for around 16 roll ups, with a few spare noodles ready to fill in if one tears.
Step 4: Sauce and bake
Pour your chosen pasta sauce evenly over the roll ups, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top for that beautiful golden melt. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400ºF for 30 minutes. This heats everything through perfectly — unwrapping the foil at the end reveals bubbling sauce and a golden cheese topping.
Top Tip
After making Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe a handful of times, I found that these tips really make the process smoother and the final dish tastier.
- Water-free spinach: Squeeze spinach well after thawing — excess water will make your filling runny and the rolls soggy.
- Don’t overcook noodles: Boil just until al dente to avoid them tearing when rolled.
- Even spreading: Spread filling evenly but don’t worry about thick layers — thin layers roll easier and bake more evenly.
- Cover while baking: Keep foil on to lock moisture in, then uncover near the end if you want a browned cheese top.
How to Serve Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling freshly chopped basil or parsley on top after baking to give a pop of color and freshness. A little cracked black pepper at the end brightens the whole dish too. Sometimes a drizzle of good olive oil adds a lovely silky finish.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or a simple Caesar salad. For something warm, garlic bread or roasted vegetables make excellent companions to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
I once made these roll ups for a family gathering and arranged them vertically in a colorful ceramic dish so everyone could grab their portion easily. Adding little ramekins of extra sauce on the side made it feel like a DIY lasagna bar — a fun way to serve it at parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover roll ups keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find reheating in the oven covered with foil works best to retain moisture and keep the cheese melty without drying out.
Freezing
I've frozen these roll ups successfully before baking — I assemble them in the casserole dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. When ready to cook, I bake them straight from frozen but add extra baking time and keep them covered initially to ensure even heating.
Reheating
For leftovers, reheating wrapped in foil in a 350ºF oven for 15–20 minutes works wonders. If you’re in a hurry, microwave on medium power for a couple of minutes but watch closely so the noodles don’t dry out or get rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you’re using fresh spinach, sauté it lightly until wilted, then drain and squeeze out excess moisture before mixing it into the cheese filling. This ensures the filling doesn’t become watery.
Make sure to stir the noodles gently a few times during the boiling process, and use plenty of water. Adding a teaspoon of salt helps flavor the pasta but isn’t necessary to prevent sticking. Once boiled, rinse with cool water or toss with a little olive oil to keep them separate while you prepare the filling.
Yes! You can assemble the roll ups and refrigerate them covered for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes meal prep super convenient if you want to get a head start.
Any good quality marinara or tomato basil sauce works well. Homemade or store-bought both do the trick. I prefer one with a balance of tangy acidity and subtle sweetness to complement the creamy filling perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Easy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe has become my go-to comfort food when I want something cozy but not too heavy. The way those cheesy, spinach-packed rolls bake up with bubbly sauce always feels like a little celebration at the dinner table. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this recipe as much as I do — it’s just one of those dishes that brings people together over great food and simple pleasures.
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Easy 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-to-make lasagna roll ups filled with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture, baked to perfection with a flavorful pasta sauce and melted mozzarella cheese topping. Perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz. lasagna noodles
Filling
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 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 the oven. Set your oven to 400ºF to prepare for baking the lasagna roll ups.
- Cook the noodles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, adding 1 teaspoon salt. Boil the lasagna noodles until just al dente, then drain them in a colander and let them cool enough to handle.
- Prepare the filling. While noodles cook, thoroughly drain the thawed spinach, squeezing out excess water. In a bowl, combine the spinach with ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
- Assemble the roll ups. Lay a few cooled noodles on a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling evenly over each noodle from edge to edge. Roll up each noodle tightly and place seam-side down in a large casserole dish. Repeat until all filling and noodles are used, expecting about 16 roll ups.
- Add sauce and cheese. Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce over the rolled noodles in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Serve. Remove from oven and serve the lasagna roll ups hot, enjoying the delicious creamy filling and savory sauce.
Notes
- Drain the spinach very well to avoid watery filling and soggy noodles.
- If noodles tear while rolling, use extra noodles as backups or patch tears with more filling pressed gently.
- Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest filling; part-skim ricotta can be used but may be slightly less rich.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some Italian seasoning or garlic powder into the filling.
- Leftover roll ups can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2 rolls)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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