Description
Delicious and comforting Lasagna Roll-Ups featuring tender pasta filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, ricotta, spinach, and cheeses, baked to perfection with marinara sauce and a bubbly mozzarella topping. Perfect for a family dinner, serving 12 people with rich flavors and a beautiful presentation.
Ingredients
Sauce and Pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (divided, homemade or store-bought, about 3 cups)
- 12 lasagna noodles
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Cheese Mixture
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (8 oz, divided)
- 1 ½ cups fresh grated Parmesan cheese (4 oz or 113 g)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (chopped, about 60 g or 2 oz)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly coat a 13x9-inch casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water until al dente, approximately 8 minutes per package instructions. Drain the noodles and lay them out flat on a clean, dry kitchen towel to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sausage: While noodles cook, remove casings from the Italian sausage and cook it in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Once cooked, drain excess fat, return sausage to the skillet, off heat add ½ cup of marinara sauce, and mix well. Set aside.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, then add ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella (reserve 1 cup), grated Parmesan, chopped basil, ground pepper, and chopped spinach. Fold the ingredients gently with a spatula until combined thoroughly.
- Assemble Roll-Ups: Place about ⅓ cup of the cheese mixture on each lasagna noodle and spread it to cover the surface. Evenly distribute the cooked sausage mixture over the cheese. Starting from the short side, carefully roll each noodle and place seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish. Repeat until all noodles are rolled and arranged in the dish. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the noodles.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven at 375℉ for 30 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna roll-ups sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and to ease serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil leaves. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful meal!
Notes
- For best results, cook noodles until just al dente so they hold up well when rolling.
- Use either homemade or good quality store-bought marinara sauce based on preference.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Ensure the casserole dish is tightly covered with foil to prevent drying out during the first baking stage.
- Allowing the dish to rest helps the roll-ups firm up and makes serving easier.
