These cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups are hearty and delicious and a lighter way to enjoy lasagna all in one cute package. Nutritious spinach, creamy melted cheese, tender lasagna noodles and silky tomato sauce all rolled and baked until soft and delicious. Vegetarian, easily gluten-free and a meatless meal everyone will go crazy for!
I love a good hearty lasagna like anyone does but sometimes we need a lighter version that can satisfy that lasagna craving without all of the fat and cheese. These pretty little Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups are perfect for a healthier but still super satisfying lasagna that even your kids will love.
You may also love this spinach and butternut squash lasagna or this cottage cheese spinach lasagna.
Once my kids saw how cute these lasagna roll ups were they couldn’t wait to try them. I was overjoyed when they loved them since they are packed with nutrition and are meat-free. Plus you can customize the filling with whatever you want like steamed veggies, cooked sausage, cooked shredded chicken or cooked ground turkey.
The bright green spinach and cheese mixture running through the center of these with the dreamy tomato sauce on top is literally the perfect combination of flavors. I mixed in some garlic and Italian seasoning for an extra boost of tastiness and they came out amazing.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It only requires a few simple ingredients to make it.
- It is vegetarian so its a meal everyone can enjoy!
- The combination of the spinach and cheese layered in with the soft noodles and sauce is everything.
- A perfect lighter recipe for when you are craving lasagna with less steps.
- It’s easy to make and so much fun!
- Perfect for entertaining and great for meal prep!
What Are Lasagna Roll Ups?
Lasagna roll ups are exactly like traditional lasagna but instated of layering the filling in between the noodles, you spread the filling and roll the noodles individually. Then you top it with more sauce and cheese and bake. The result is adorable single portion pieces of lasagna that are so good!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this lasagna roll ups recipe. Here is what you’ll need:
- Lasagna Noodles – any store-bought lasagna noodles will work in this recipe. Oven ready noodles will not work since you need to be able to fill and roll the lasagna noodles.
- Frozen Spinach – adds some color and nutrition to this recipe. Fresh spinach that has been cooked with the extra moisture rung out will also work but will require more steps.
- Tomato Sauce – any tomato sauce will work so choose your favorite!
- Cheese – a combination of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese give this lasagna recipe amazing creaminess, and flavor, which is essential in any lasagna.
- Egg – helps bind the filling together.
- Seasoning – garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper are a wonderful combination that enhances all of the flavors nicely.
How to make these spinach lasagna roll ups
Here is a summary of the steps for making these lasagna roll ups with step by step photos. Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions and nutrition in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Make the spinach and cheese filling. Add the spinach, egg, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl.
- Mix to combine into a creamy, spinach filling.
- Assemble the roll ups. Working with one lasagna noodle at a time, lay out each cooked lasagna noodle onto a flat surface and spread on some of the spinach cheese filling end to end. Roll it up starting at one end and rolling toward the other end. Continue until you have assembled all of the roll ups.
- Place into the pan. Place half of the sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan and spread it out evenly to cover the bottom of the pan. Lay the lasagna rolls ups seam side down in a single layer on top of the sauce. There should be 12 roll up that fit nicely in 3 rows in the pan if you are using a 9×13 pan.
- Top with sauce and cheese. Pour a little bit of sauce over the top of each roll up and top with more shredded cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Bake. Cover and bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees F. After 35 minutes, remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and let them bake for 5-7 more minutes to help the cheese to fully melt.
- Serve. Remove, let cool and enjoy!
It’s so easy and just so good and comforting. Plus its way lighter and healthier than traditional lasagna so its a meal you can enjoy and feel good about eating it.
What kind of lasagna noodles should you use for lasagna roll ups?
You can really use any type of lasagna noodles in this recipe. Whole wheat, gluten free, even fresh noodles will work. The only noodles that would not work are the no-cook/oven ready noodles since they need to be cooked so they are soft enough to roll up.
Can you use fresh or frozen spinach?
Yes you can use either fresh spinach that you sauté and cool before adding it to the cheese filling or frozen spinach that is thawed and rung out to get rid of any excess moisture.
I used frozen, thawed spinach in this recipe but I have also tried it with fresh spinach and it was just as good.
What to serve with these lasagna roll ups
- Salad: Such as this Easy Kale Salad, Roasted Squash and Beet Salad, Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad, Chopped Kale Salad With Quinoa, or this Italian Chopped Salad.
- More protein. Such as this Healthy Turkey Meatloaf, Butternut Squash Vegan Meatballs, Chickpea Chicken Salad, or these Baked Eggplant Meatballs.
- More Veggies. Such as these Easy Ranch Roasted Carrots, Mashed Butternut Squash, or these Kale and Squash Quinoa Patties.
Tips for making the best lasagna roll ups with spinach
- Cook the noodles 1 minute less than suggested by the package instructions. This will make them perfectly pliable to fill and fold but not too mushy when they are baked.
- Strain the noodles after cooking and run them under cold water then lay them out onto a baking sheet in between paper towels. This will get rid of excess moisture and prevent them from sticking as you go about spreading the filling onto each noodle.
- Use frozen, thawed spinach if you can. It is just way easier in this recipe to buy frozen chopped spinach that you can just quickly thaw and ring out before adding it to the cheese filling. You can use fresh spinach and sauté and cool it but you need a lot, which will cost more and it will take you longer to prepare it. So just go with the frozen stuff.
- Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over each noodle then tightly roll them up.
- Bake them covered then remove the covering and bake for a few extra minutes to get the cheese super nice and melty. Yummy!
Make It Ahead
To make this recipe ahead of time fill the lasagna roll ups and place them seem side down in a pan with some tomato sauce on the bottom but do not put the sauce and cheese on top. Cover them tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 1 day before baking them. When ready to bake, remove them from the fridge, uncover, pour some tomato sauce over the top of each lasagna roll and top with some cheese. Cover and bake as directed in the recipe.
Storage
To store these lasagne roll ups. After you bake them and let them Cool completely, cover them and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Easily reheat in the oven or microwave.
Here are some other easy dinner ideas you may also enjoy
- Healthy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach
- Vegetarian Pumpkin Spinach Lasagna
- Butternut Squash Noodles Bowl
Did you try this recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
Print
Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These spinach lasagna roll ups are a fun and healthy spin on traditional lasagna. The filling is made with a three cheese combo and hearty spinach for a delicious, nutritious meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 package uncooked lasagna noodles – you will use about 12 of them
- 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach – thawed and rung out
- 15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce – plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prep the noodles. Cook the noodles 1 minute less than suggested by the package instructions. This will make them perfectly pliable to fill and fold but not too mushy when they are baked. Strain the noodles after cooking and run them under cold water then lay them out onto a baking sheet in between paper towels. This will get rid of excess moisture and prevent them from sticking as you go about spreading the filling onto each noodle.
- Make the spinach and cheese filling. Add the spinach, ricotta, ½ of the parmesan cheese, ¼ cup of the mozzarella, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl.
- Mix to combine into a creamy, spinach filling.
- Assemble the roll ups. Working with one lasagna noodle at a time, lay out each cooked lasagna noodle onto a flat surface and spread on some of the spinach cheese filling end to end. Roll it up starting at one end and rolling toward the other end. Continue until you have assembled all of the roll ups.
- Place half of the sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan and spread it out evenly to cover the bottom of the pan. Lay the lasagna rolls ups seam side down in a single layer on top of the sauce. There should be room for 12 roll ups that fit nicely in 3 rows in the pan if you are using a 9×13 pan. See pictures in post for an example.
- Pour a little bit of sauce over the top of each roll up and top with more mozzarella and parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes at 350° F. After 35 minutes, remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 375° F and let them bake for 7-10 more minutes to help the cheese to fully melt.
- Remove, let cool and enjoy with a little bit more sauce and sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Cook the noodles 1 minute less than suggested by the package instructions. This will make them perfectly pliable to fill and fold but not too mushy when they are baked.
- Strain the noodles after cooking and run them under cold water then lay them out onto a baking sheet in between paper towels. This will get rid of excess moisture and prevent them from sticking as you go about spreading the filling onto each noodle.
- Use frozen, thawed spinach if you can. It is just way easier in this recipe to buy frozen chopped spinach that you can just quickly thaw and ring out before adding it to the cheese filling. You can use fresh spinach and sauté and cool it but you need a lot, which will cost more and it will take you longer to prepare it. So just go with the frozen stuff.
- Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over each noodle then tightly roll them up.
- Bake them covered then remove the covering and bake for a few extra minutes to get the cheese super nice and melty. Yummy!
- To store these lasagne roll ups. After you bake them and let them Coll completely, cover them and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Easily reheat in the oven or microwave.
- To make this recipe ahead of time. Fill the lasagna roll ups and place them seem side down in a pan with some tomato sauce on the bottom but do not put the sauce and cheese on top. Cover them tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 1 day before baking them. When ready to bake, remove them from the fridge, uncover, pour some tomato sauce over the top of each lasagna roll and top with some cheese. Cover and bake as directed in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
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