Mini Lasagna Rolls

Introducing Mini Lasagna Rolls, a delightful twist on classic lasagna, featuring tender Italian sausage and lean ground beef mixed with creamy ricotta cheese, spinach, and savory Parmesan. Rolled into individual portions using lasagna noodles, these rolls are then baked to perfection in a rich marinara sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese.

Perfectly portioned and bursting with flavors, Mini Lasagna Rolls are a comforting and satisfying dish that brings together the essence of traditional lasagna in a convenient and elegant format. Ideal for gatherings or family meals, this recipe promises to impress with its hearty ingredients and delicious layers of flavor.

Mini Lasagna Rolls

Ingredients

½ pound Italian Sausage

½ pound lean ground beef

10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and drained, then chopped

4 cups of pasta sauce or marinara

1 large egg

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

2 cups of ricotta cheese, or cottage cheese

½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 cup or more of Mozzarella cheese, shredded

9 cooked lasagna noodles

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking pan

Step 2:

In a skillet, crumble and brown the two meats

In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, salt, pepper, parmesan, spinach and ricotta cheese

Step 3:

Stir to combine well

Drain any excess grease from the meat and mix with the cheese mixture

Step 4:

Pour 1 cup of pasta sauce on the bottom of the pan

Lay out the cooked lasagna noodles in front of you, spread about ⅓ cup plus a tbsp of mixture and spread out on each noodle

Step 5:

Roll each noodle from the short side and place seam side down into the baking pan

Cover with the remaining pasta sauce

Step 6:

Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes

Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Notes:

Cooking Meat: When browning the Italian sausage and ground beef, ensure they are fully cooked and well crumbled. This helps distribute the flavors evenly throughout the rolls.

Draining Grease: After cooking the meats, drain any excess grease thoroughly. This prevents the rolls from becoming too oily and ensures a cleaner taste.

Cheese Mixture Consistency: When combining the egg, ricotta (or cottage) cheese, spinach, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, mix well until smooth and evenly blended. This ensures each roll gets a balanced amount of flavors.

Assembly of Rolls: When spreading the meat and cheese mixture onto the cooked lasagna noodles, make sure to spread it evenly from edge to edge. This helps in rolling the noodles neatly without gaps.

Nutrition Information:

SERVING SIZE: 1

Amount Per Serving:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of meat or make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can customize the meat in Mini Lasagna Rolls by using ground turkey, chicken, or even meat substitutes like tofu crumbles for a vegetarian option.

What’s the difference between ricotta cheese and cottage cheese?

Ricotta cheese is made from whey, while cottage cheese is made from curds.

Ricotta is typically smoother and creamier, while cottage cheese has a chunkier texture.

Both can be used interchangeably in recipes like lasagna rolls.

Do I need to cook the lasagna noodles before assembling the rolls?

Yes, you should cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions before assembling the Mini Lasagna Rolls.

This ensures that they are soft and pliable for rolling.

Can I prepare the lasagna rolls ahead of time and bake them later?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna rolls ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake.

Just cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

What can I use instead of frozen spinach?

If you don’t have frozen spinach, you can use fresh spinach that has been wilted and chopped, or you can substitute with other vegetables like cooked mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or zucchini.

How can I prevent the lasagna rolls from unrolling during baking?

To prevent the lasagna rolls from unrolling during baking, place them seam side down in the baking dish and pack them snugly together.

This helps hold them in place as they cook.

Can I freeze leftover Mini Lasagna Rolls?

Yes, you can freeze leftover Mini Lasagna Rolls for future meals.

Wrap individual rolls or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What can I serve with Mini Lasagna Rolls for a complete meal?

Mini Lasagna Rolls pair well with a side salad tossed in vinaigrette dressing or garlic breadsticks for a complete meal.

You can also serve them alongside roasted vegetables for added flavor and nutrition.

Can I use store-bought pasta sauce, or should I make my own?

You can use either store-bought pasta sauce or homemade marinara sauce for this recipe, depending on your preference and time constraints.

Choose a sauce with flavors you enjoy to enhance the overall taste of the dish.

How do I know when the Mini Lasagna Rolls are done baking?

The Mini Lasagna Rolls are done baking when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden brown.

You can also insert a knife into the center of one roll to ensure the filling is heated through.