Name: Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 15 oz. ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 2 cups mozzarella cheese; ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried parsley; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small yellow onion (diced); ½ lb. ground beef; ½ lb. ground Italian sausage (hot or mild); 3 cloves garlic (minced); ½ cup chicken broth; 32 oz. marinara sauce; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional); 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional); 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage); 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

If you’re craving comfort food that feels special but is surprisingly easy to pull off, you are going to love this Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe. I absolutely love how these roll ups combine the creamy, cheesy filling with a rich, savory meat sauce—all wrapped up in tender lasagna noodles. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a family favorite because it’s less fussy than traditional lasagna but just as flavorful. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through each step so your dinner turns out perfectly every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family-Friendly Comfort Food: My family goes crazy for how cheesy and saucy these roll ups are—perfect for cozy dinners.
Less Mess than Traditional Lasagna: These individual roll ups make serving and leftovers a breeze without losing any of the layers of flavor.
Customizable Meat Sauce: You can tweak the spices or meat mix to suit your tastes or pantry staples.
Impressive Presentation: These roll ups look beautiful on the plate and always get compliments.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with layered lasagna, showing about four layers of sauce, pasta, and melted cheese. The top is covered with golden, bubbly melted cheese mixed with bits of red tomato sauce and green parsley sprinkled all over. A wooden spatula lifts a square piece from the corner, stretching melted cheese strands. The dish rests on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth nearby, and a white plate holding a slice of bread and a knife with butter is seen to the left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce, lasagna roll ups, cheesy meat sauce pasta, cheesy baked pasta recipes, easy lasagna roll ups

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here is in the combo of fresh cheeses with a well-seasoned meat sauce. I recommend using good-quality marinara and fresh grated Parmesan for the best flavor. Let’s break down the essentials you’ll want on your shopping list.

Flat lay of a dozen uncooked flat lasagna noodles arranged symmetrically, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh ricotta cheese, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a white bowl heaped with shredded mozzarella cheese, another small white bowl holding finely grated Parmesan cheese, a few loose dried herb leaves of oregano, basil, and parsley neatly placed, a tiny white bowl filled with golden olive oil, one small yellow onion, unpeeled and whole, a portion of raw ground beef alongside raw ground Italian sausage, three whole peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl containing clear chicken broth, a white bowl with rich red marinara sauce, and a small white bowl with bright red hot sauce, all 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 Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce, lasagna roll ups, cheesy meat sauce pasta, cheesy baked pasta recipes, easy lasagna roll ups

Ricotta Cheese: This creamy base gives the filling its luscious texture—don’t skip it!
Large Egg: Acts as a binder to keep the cheese mixture from falling apart inside the noodles.
Mozzarella Cheese: Use part in the filling and part on top—melts beautifully for that gooey stretch.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated adds sharpness and depth to the cheesy filling.
Dried Oregano, Basil, and Parsley: Classic Italian herbs that bring aromatic flavor to the mix.
Ground Beef and Italian Sausage: I use a mix of both for rich, savory meat sauce—hot or mild sausage works depending on your spice preference.
Yellow Onion: Slow-sautéed to naturally sweeten the sauce and balance tomato acidity.
Garlic: Adds that unmistakable Italian backbone to your sauce.
Chicken Broth: Just a splash to keep the sauce moist and flavorful.
Marinara Sauce: Choose a quality jar or homemade if you can—it’s the heart of your meat sauce.
Worcestershire and Hot Sauce (Optional): These give your sauce a subtle umami punch and a hint of heat.
Lasagna Noodles: Regular noodles work best here; I always have a couple of extra on hand to swap out any that break.

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

One of my favorite things about the Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I’ve tried a few variations that add fun twists or accommodate different diets—feel free to experiment!

Vegetarian Version: Instead of meat, I swap in sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach, and it’s just as hearty and satisfying.
Spicier Sauce: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or using hot Italian sausage kicks up the heat for fans of bold flavors.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles, and double-check your marinara for hidden gluten sources.
Cheese Variations: Sometimes I mix in shredded provolone or swap ricotta for cottage cheese for a lighter twist.

How to Make Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cheesy Filling and Sauce Base

First things first, combine the ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, and all the dried herbs in a bowl. I learned this combo balances creaminess and flavor perfectly. Then, spread about ½ cup of your marinara sauce on the bottom of your baking dish to prevent sticking and give the roll ups extra saucy goodness.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Cook the Meat Sauce

Here’s a trick I discovered—cooking the diced onions slowly in olive oil for about 10 minutes lets their natural sweetness come out, which really offsets the acidity from the tomatoes. Then, add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up finely with your spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, adding garlic in the last minute. Drain any excess grease to keep things from getting greasy.

Step 3: Bring the Meat Sauce Together

Pour in the chicken broth, then scrape the pot bottom with your spatula to pull up all those tasty browned bits. Add the rest of the marinara sauce plus Worcestershire and hot sauce if you’re using them. Let everything simmer gently while you move on to boiling the noodles.

Step 4: Cook and Cool the Lasagna Noodles

Boil your noodles until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water. This tip stops the cooking process so they don’t get mushy and makes them easier to handle when you roll them up later.

Step 5: Assemble the Roll Ups

Lay your noodles on parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick. Spread about 2½ tablespoons of the cheese filling evenly over each noodle, then top each with about ¼ cup of the meat sauce (save some sauce for later!). Roll them up tightly but gently, keeping the filling inside, and place them seam side down in your baking dish.

Step 6: Bake and Finish

Pour the remaining meat sauce over the roll ups and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Spray your foil with cooking spray and cover the dish foil-side down so the cheese won’t stick. Bake at 375° for about 35 minutes. If you want a bubbly, browned top, take off the foil at the end and broil for a couple of minutes—just watch closely so it doesn’t burn. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and you’re ready to dig in.

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Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe

No-Break Noodles: I always keep extra noodles handy and carefully lay them flat on oiled parchment to prevent sticking and breaking while assembling.
Slow Sauté Onions: Don’t rush the onions; their natural sweetness is a game changer for your sauce’s balance.
Keep Filling Moist: The mix of ricotta and mozzarella with an egg keeps the filling creamy but stable during baking.
Cover With Foil Spray Side Down: Prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil and saves you a messy cleanup.

How to Serve Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe

A thick piece of lasagna sits in the center of a white plate on a white marbled surface. It has four layers of wavy pasta sheets with a filling of light brown meat sauce mixed with creamy cheese, visible between the pasta layers. The top layer is covered with melted white cheese that shines and has small green herb specks sprinkled on it. The lasagna is surrounded by a pool of chunky red tomato sauce, spreading slightly onto the plate. A silver fork rests on the edge of the plate near the lasagna. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce, lasagna roll ups, cheesy meat sauce pasta, cheesy baked pasta recipes, easy lasagna roll ups

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and a little freshness that cuts through all that richness. Sometimes, I’ll also add a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper or even a few shavings of Parmesan just before serving.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with these roll ups are a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette and some garlic bread to sop up every bit of that delicious meat sauce. Roasted veggies, like broccoli or green beans, also pair nicely if you want something warm on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the roll ups on a rustic wooden board with basil sprigs and small bowls of extra sauce for dipping. It looks fancy but is actually super easy and encourages everyone to dig in and customize their plates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover roll ups store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I remove them from the baking dish to avoid sogginess and keep them separated with parchment paper if stacking.

Freezing

I used to worry freezing these might affect texture, but wrapping each roll tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, works great. Freeze for up to 2 months, and when you’re ready, bake from frozen with just a little extra time.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered with foil at 350° until warmed through (about 20-25 minutes). Adding a splash of marinara and covering keeps them moist, and I always broil for a minute at the end if I want that melty cheese goodness back.

FAQs

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

You can, but I recommend soaking them in warm water first to soften. It makes rolling easier and helps prevent tearing. Regular boiled noodles give the best flexibility for rolling.
How can I make the meat sauce ahead of time?

You can prepare the meat sauce a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. This actually helps deepen the flavors. Just reheat gently before assembling the roll ups.
What if my roll ups fall apart during baking?

Make sure to spread the cheese filling evenly and roll the noodles tightly but gently to avoid spillage. Using the egg in the filling helps it bind together during baking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

It’s a bit tricky since cheese is a big part of the filling, but you can try dairy-free ricotta alternatives and vegan mozzarella. Adjust the seasoning accordingly, and skip the Parmesan or use a plant-based substitute.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups with Meat Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something comforting, cheesy, and a little different from classic lasagna. I love how approachable it is, and you’ll enjoy the flavors and textures that come together so beautifully. Trust me, your family and friends will be asking for seconds—and you’ll feel like a kitchen rockstar pulling it off with ease. Give it a try soon, and let me know how it turns out!