Description
Delicious Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups combine tender meatballs with creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella cheese wrapped in perfectly cooked lasagna noodles. Baked in marinara sauce, this comforting Italian-inspired casserole is perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Roll-Ups
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled lasagna roll-ups.
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or Italian sausage with bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and form the mixture into small, evenly-sized meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside.
- Assemble the Roll-ups: Lay out the cooked lasagna noodles flat on a work surface. Spread a small amount of ricotta cheese evenly over each noodle. Place 2 to 3 cooked meatballs on top of the ricotta, then carefully roll up each noodle to encase the filling.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly. Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish. Arrange the lasagna roll-ups seam-side down in the sauce, making sure they are snug.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the top of the assembled roll-ups. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the surface.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For easiest rolling, handle lasagna noodles gently while assembling.
- Using Italian sausage instead of ground beef adds extra flavor.
- Look for marinara sauce with no added sugars for a healthier option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To speed up cooking, meatballs can be baked instead of skillet-fried if preferred.
