Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups

Name: Meatball Roll-Ups
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles, cooked.; 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage.; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.; 1 egg, beaten.; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.; 2 cups marinara sauce.; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.; 1/2 cup ricotta cheese.; 2 cloves garlic, minced.; 1 tablespoon olive oil.; 1/2 teaspoon salt.; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

These Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups bring the classic flavors of lasagna into a convenient roll-up form. The noodles are filled with homemade Italian meatballs, ricotta cheese, and covered in marinara sauce. Topped with gooey mozzarella, the dish is baked until golden and bubbly. It's a delicious, family-friendly dinner that's perfect for any night of the week. Pair it with a simple side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

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By Clare Greco

Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:54:11 GMT

If you love lasagna but want a fun twist on the classic, these Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups are just what you need. Packed with flavorful Italian meatballs, creamy ricotta, and savory marinara sauce, these roll-ups are topped with gooey melted mozzarella and baked to perfection. They're a satisfying dish that's sure to please a crowd.

INGREDIENTS

Lasagna noodles: 12, cooked until al dente
Ground beef or Italian sausage: 1 lb, for the meatballs
Bread crumbs: 1/2 cup, to bind the meatballs
Grated Parmesan cheese: 1/4 cup, for flavor in the meatballs
Egg: 1, beaten, to hold the meatball mixture together
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced, for an aromatic kick
Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon, to add herby flavor
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, to season the meatballs
Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, for a touch of spice
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon, to cook the meatballs
Ricotta cheese: 1/2 cup, to spread on the lasagna noodles
Marinara sauce: 2 cups, divided
Shredded mozzarella cheese: 1 1/2 cups, for a melty topping

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2:: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into small meatballs.
Step 3:: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and fully cooked through.
Step 4:: Spread the cooked lasagna noodles out flat. Spread a small amount of ricotta cheese on each noodle, then place 2-3 meatballs on top. Roll the noodles up carefully.
Step 5:: In a greased baking dish, pour 1 cup of marinara sauce and place the lasagna roll-ups seam-side down.
Step 6:: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the roll-ups and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 7:: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serving and Storage Tips

Let the roll-ups cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil for extra flavor.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Helpful Notes

If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought meatballs for a quicker preparation.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meatballs.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

Chef Rachael Ray recommends adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce for a little heat.

Meatball Roll-Ups

Lasagna noodles rolled with flavorful Italian meatballs and topped with marinara and cheese.

Prep Time

45 Minutes

Cook Time

35 Minutes

Total Time

80 Minutes

By: Clare Greco

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (12 roll-ups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12 lasagna noodles, cooked.

02 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage.

03 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.

04 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

05 1 egg, beaten.

06 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

07 2 cups marinara sauce.

08 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.

09 1/2 cup ricotta cheese.

10 2 cloves garlic, minced.

11 1 tablespoon olive oil.

12 1/2 teaspoon salt.

13 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 02

In a bowl, mix ground beef or Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to form the meatball mixture.

Step 03

Shape the mixture into small meatballs.

Step 04

In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook the meatballs until browned and cooked through. Set them aside.

Step 05

Lay the cooked lasagna noodles flat on a clean surface. Spread a small amount of ricotta cheese on each noodle, place 2-3 meatballs on top, and roll up the noodles.

Step 06

Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into a greased baking dish and arrange the lasagna roll-ups seam-side down.

Step 07

Top the roll-ups with the remaining marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 08

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 09

Let the roll-ups cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the meatballs with a mixture of sautéed vegetables and cheese.
You can also use store-bought meatballs to save time.