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Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

If you’re a fan of all things cheesy, hearty, and comforting, you’re going to absolutely adore this Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe. I love how this dish transforms traditional lasagna into perfectly portioned, irresistibly gooey roll-ups that are easier to serve and just as satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or prepping ahead for a cozy weeknight, this recipe delivers big on flavor and warmth. Stick around, because I’m sharing all the tips I’ve gathered along the way to help you nail these roll-ups on your very first try.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to Portion: These roll-ups make serving a breeze—no more messy lasagna slices, just perfectly sized portions.
  • Comfort in Every Bite: The blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan alongside rich beef sauce is pure comfort food magic.
  • Make Ahead Friendly: I love prepping these in advance—it saves time on busy nights and tastes just as great reheated.
  • Family Approved: My kids and friends always go crazy for this dish, which makes it my go-to for gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that come together to build depth and creaminess—from savory ground beef to that luscious three-cheese filling. Use good quality marinara sauce; it really makes a difference and simplifies your cooking.

Flat lay of uncooked lasagna noodles neatly stacked, a mound of raw ground beef with a bright red hue, a small white bowl filled with rich red marinara sauce, a few diced pale yellow onion pieces arranged in a simple white bowl, three whole garlic cloves with papery skins intact, a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt crystals, another small white bowl with cracked black peppercorns, a small white bowl of dried oregano leaves, a generous dollop of creamy white ricotta cheese in a white ceramic bowl, one large uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl heaped with finely shredded pale yellow Parmesan cheese, another small white bowl holding shredded mozzarella cheese strings, and a small pile of freshly chopped vibrant green parsley leaves placed in a white bowl, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups, cheesy beef lasagna roll-ups, beef lasagna roll ups recipe, lasagna roll ups with beef and cheese, hearty baked lasagna roll-ups
  • Lasagna noodles: Don’t forget to cook them just until al dente to avoid sogginess when baking.
  • Ground beef: I use 85% lean for that perfect balance of flavor without too much grease.
  • Marinara sauce: Choose one with a flavor you love—it forms the heart of the sauce here.
  • Diced onion: Adds sweetness and depth when cooked with the beef.
  • Garlic cloves: Freshly minced is best for that aromatic punch.
  • Sea salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring everything together.
  • Dried oregano: Just a touch to hint at that classic Italian herb flavor.
  • Ricotta cheese: The creamy base of the cheese filling that holds everything together.
  • Large egg: This binds the filling so it doesn’t spill out while baking.
  • Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty kick to the filling.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Divided for both inside and on top, for that melty, golden finish.
  • Fresh parsley: Chopped into the filling and sprinkled on top adds freshness and color.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this recipe depending on what I have in the fridge or my dietary mood. It’s a great canvas for customization that still delivers that cheesy goodness you expect.

  • Vegetarian Version: Swap ground beef for sautéed mushrooms and zucchini—I tried this once when a friend came over, and even meat lovers didn’t miss the beef!
  • Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a little heat; it’s a game-changer on chilly evenings.
  • Herb Swap: Fresh basil instead of parsley gives a sweeter aroma that freshens up the dish beautifully.
  • Cheese Blend: Mixing in some fontina or provolone with mozzarella amps up the creaminess and stretch factor.

How to Make Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

Step 1: Perfect Your Noodles

First things first, preheat your oven to 375˚F. Cooking the lasagna noodles is a crucial step—overcooked noodles turn mushy and won’t roll well. Follow the package instructions to cook until al dente, usually just a minute or two less than fully tender. Once cooked, drain them and immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Laying them flat on a large baking sheet helps keep them separated and ready for rolling.

Step 2: Build the Meat Sauce

In a deep pan or Dutch oven, brown your ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula. After 2 minutes, toss in the diced onion and cook until soft—about 3 minutes. When the onions smell sweet and translucent, stir in the garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and oregano, letting it sizzle for about a minute. Pour in your marinara sauce, bring it to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat. Reserve about half a cup of this sauce to spread evenly in the casserole dish—you’ll thank me later when your rolls don’t stick!

Step 3: Mix the Dreamy Cheese Filling

In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, the beaten egg, parmesan cheese, half of your shredded mozzarella, and chopped parsley. Mixing these well ensures each bite is creamy and cheesy. The egg keeps the filling sturdy when baked—don’t skip it, or things can get messy!

Step 4: Roll and Assemble

Here’s the fun part: take each noodle and spread about a quarter cup (I use a small ice cream scoop for consistency) of that luscious cheese filling over the top. Add a generous tablespoon or so of the meat sauce in a strip right down the center. Roll the noodles up tightly but gently, then snug them into your prepared casserole dish on top of the meat sauce you spread earlier.

Step 5: Top and Bake to Golden Perfection

Once all your roll-ups are nestled in, ladle the remaining meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of your mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish with foil—just be sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese to avoid sticking (I usually put toothpicks into the rolls for extra clearance if needed). Bake covered at 375˚F for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese gets that irresistible golden brown finish.

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Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

  • Stop Pasta Stickiness: Rinsing noodles in cold water immediately after boiling prevents them from sticking and makes rolling easier.
  • Keep Foil Off Cheese: I learned the hard way to keep the foil from touching the top cheese by propping rolls with toothpicks—no more sad stuck cheese!
  • Uniform Filling Amount: Using a small scoop for the cheese filling ensures each roll cooks evenly and looks beautiful on the plate.
  • Don’t Skip the Egg: It’s key for binding the cheese in the filling so you don’t end up with filling lava escaping when slicing.

How to Serve Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a rolled lasagna piece on a white plate, placed over a white marbled surface. The lasagna has many wavy layers of soft, yellow pasta filled with a thick red meat sauce and melted cheese. The top is covered with a layer of creamy white melted cheese that is slightly browned in spots, sprinkled with bright green chopped herbs. The sauce peeks through the edges of the pasta rolls, adding a rich red color to the dish. In the blurred background, part of another portion is visible on a similar white plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups, cheesy beef lasagna roll-ups, beef lasagna roll ups recipe, lasagna roll ups with beef and cheese, hearty baked lasagna roll-ups

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for that pop of green and fresh herbal aroma. Sometimes, I add a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a touch of freshly grated parmesan on top right before serving—these little touches elevate the dish from everyday to restaurant-worthy in a snap.

Side Dishes

Since the roll-ups are rich and filling, I like to pair them with simple sides like a crisp Caesar salad or steamed green veggies such as broccoli or asparagus. Garlic bread or a warm baguette also works wonders to mop up all the delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

When I want to dress it up for guests, arranging each roll-up standing upright in a shallow dish looks gorgeous and makes serving a party-sized crowd hassle-free. For kids’ birthdays, I sometimes top each roll with a bit of marinara and a small mozzarella ball, turning them into mini cheesy “pizzas” that always disappear first!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cheesy beef lasagna roll ups store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and reheat in the oven to maintain that baked texture.

Freezing

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how well it freezes. After assembling but before baking, I pop the entire dish into the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—this makes busy weeknights so much easier!

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the roll ups with foil and warm them in a 350˚F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through. For that fresh-baked look, I remove the foil near the end and broil for a couple of minutes to crisp up the cheese on top.

FAQs

  1. Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for the roll ups?

    You can use no-boil noodles, but keep in mind they can be more fragile to roll and might not soften evenly within the baking time. If you choose them, consider soaking them in warm water first to make rolling easier, and add a little extra sauce during assembly to ensure they cook thoroughly.

  2. How do I prevent the cheese filling from leaking out?

    The secret is the egg in the ricotta mixture—it acts as a binder to keep everything together. Also, spreading the filling evenly but not too thick helps, and rolling the noodles gently but snugly keeps the filling inside during baking.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

    Absolutely! Just swap the ground beef for your favorite veggies like mushrooms, eggplant, or spinach. Sauté them well to remove excess moisture before adding to the sauce. The cheesy filling stays the same, so it remains just as rich and satisfying.

  4. Is it okay to prepare this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes! You can assemble the roll ups the day before, keep them covered in the fridge, and bake them right before serving. This makes dinner prep on busy days so much smoother and lets the flavors meld beautifully.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times this Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe has rescued me from last-minute dinner dilemmas or been the star at family gatherings. It’s simple enough for weeknights but special enough to make guests feel truly cared for. Give it a try—you’ll find your kitchen filled with delicious aromas and your whole table asking for seconds. Trust me, once you roll these up, you’ll never look back at traditional lasagna the same way again!

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Cheesy Beef Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 125 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 42 min
  • Total Time: 72 min
  • Yield: 12, 12 lasagna roll ups
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Lasagna Roll Ups are a delicious and easy-to-serve twist on classic lasagna. Tender lasagna noodles are filled with a creamy 3-cheese mixture and rich meat sauce, rolled up, topped with more sauce and melted mozzarella, then baked to bubbly, golden perfection. This recipe is perfect for a comforting family dinner or make-ahead meal that reheats beautifully.


Ingredients

Lasagna Noodles

  • 12 lasagna noodles (cooked to package instructions)

Meat Sauce

  • 16 oz ground beef (85% lean)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste for red sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

Cheese Filling

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
  • 1/4 cup parsley (chopped, plus more to garnish)


Instructions

  1. Cook the Noodles: Preheat oven to 375˚F. Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, then immediately submerge in cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside laid out in a single layer.
  2. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook ground beef for about 2 minutes until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, then sauté for another minute. Pour in marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, then turn off heat. Spread 1/2 cup of this meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a casserole dish.
  3. Mix Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, one large egg, parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella, and chopped parsley. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
  4. Assemble Roll Ups: Lay the cooked noodles on a large baking sheet in a single layer to prevent sticking. Spread about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture evenly over each noodle. Add a heaping tablespoon of meat sauce in a strip down the center of each noodle. Carefully roll up each noodle and place seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish on top of the meat sauce.
  5. Top and Bake: Spoon the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top of the rolled noodles. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil, making sure the foil does not directly touch the cheese (use toothpicks if necessary to keep foil elevated). Bake covered at 375˚F for 40 minutes.
  6. Broil to Finish: Remove the foil and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Lasagna Roll Ups are easier to portion and serve compared to traditional layered lasagna.
  • This recipe uses a simple yet flavorful meat sauce made from marinara and beef that can be homemade or jarred.
  • The three-cheese filling with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella creates a rich, creamy texture.
  • Roll ups can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until baking.
  • Use toothpicks to prevent foil from sticking to the cheese when covering the casserole.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll up
  • Calories: 333
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 760 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 76 mg

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