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Comforting Italian Lasagna Rollups with Creamy Cheese Filling

Italian lasagna rollups - featured image
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These lasagna rollups offer a quick and easy twist on traditional lasagna with a creamy cheese filling and rich tomato sauce, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 lasagna noodles (regular, no-boil, or traditional boiled)
  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese (small-curd preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or substitute with basil or oregano)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced and lightly sautéed in 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing garlic and greasing dish)

Instructions

  1. If using traditional noodles, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 lasagna noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and lay flat on a clean kitchen towel to prevent sticking. Skip this step if using no-boil noodles.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, and sautéed garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until smooth and creamy, thick enough to spread easily without running.
  3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  4. Spread about ¼ cup of the cheese mixture evenly onto each noodle, smoothing with a spoon or spatula. Roll the noodles tightly from one end to the other and place each roll seam-side down in the baking dish, snug but not crowded.
  5. Pour 3 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the rollups, ensuring each is generously covered but not swimming in sauce.
  6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden on top.
  7. Let the rollups cool for 5 minutes before serving to help the filling set.

Notes

If sauce is thick, add a splash of water or broth before pouring over rollups. Avoid overfilling noodles to make rolling easier. Cover dish while baking to retain moisture and remove foil near end for golden cheese. Use room temperature ingredients for smoother filling. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna rollups, Italian comfort food, creamy cheese filling, easy lasagna, weeknight dinner, ricotta, mozzarella, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/comforting-italian-lasagna-rollups-recipe-easy-creamy-cheese-filling/