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Single serving Lasagna Rollups are the perfect solution for a quick and easy dinner. Imagine layers of savory ground beef, a medley of creamy ricotta, parmesan, and gooey mozzarella, all seasoned with aromatic Italian spices. Each rollup is a small batch cooking masterpiece, tailor-made for those cooking for one or two. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special meals for two, these rollups offer convenience, flavor, and satisfaction in every bite.
If you’re interested in exploring a variety of single serving and small batch lasagna options, check out our delightful Mini Lasagna, comforting Lasagna Soup, creative Sheet Pan Lasagna, and wholesome Vegetable Lasagna recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear instructions, this recipe is a breeze.
- Portion Control: Perfect for singles or small families, and it eliminates food waste.
- Doubles Well: Need more servings? This recipe easily doubles for when you have guests.
- Flexible Ingredients: Cater to various dietary needs with alternative ingredient options.
- Flavorful: A perfect blend of cheese, meat, and sauce that will satisfy your Italian cravings.
What Are Lasagna Rollups?
Lasagna Rollups are essentially lasagna ingredients rolled up in individual lasagna noodles. They offer a fun and convenient twist on the classic layered lasagna.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from these meaty lasagna rolls, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Lasagna Noodles: The base of the rollups. You can use whole-wheat for added fiber. Use leftover lasagna noodles in any of our lasagna recipes.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness. Can be substituted with avocado oil.
- Onions & Garlic: For flavor depth. Pre-minced garlic can save time or use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Ground Beef: Adds protein. Swap with ground turkey for a leaner option. If you have leftover ground beef, consider using it in a small batch of Stuffed Peppers or Hamburger Casserole.
- Italian Seasoning: Brings in the classic Italian flavors. The main herbs in Italian seasoning are basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use one or two of these herbs instead.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning. Adjust to taste.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds moisture and flavor. Use low-sodium if needed. Got extra tomato sauce? Use it in Eggplant Parmesan or Spaghetti and Meatballs.
- Ricotta, Parmesan, Mozzarella Cheese: The trifecta of Italian cheeses. Use plant-based cheese for a vegan option. This trio of ingredients can also be found in our Stuffed Shells, Spinach Manicotti, and Baked Ziti recipes.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Want to add a personal touch to your Single Serving Lasagna Rollups? Whether you’re looking to spice things up or make a vegetarian version, these variations offer something for everyone.
- Spicy Rollups: Kick up the heat by adding a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Veggie Rollups: Swap out the ground beef for a mixture of sautéed spinach and mushrooms. Season with a touch of garlic and Italian herbs for a vegetarian delight.
- Seafood Rollups: For a more luxurious experience, replace the ground beef with cooked shrimp or crab meat. Add a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning for that authentic seafood flavor.
- Cheese Lovers: Double up on the cheese by adding a layer of sliced provolone or fontina cheese before rolling up the noodles. The extra cheese will make each bite even more decadent.
- Gluten-Free Lasagna Rollups: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure your other ingredients are gluten-free as well. The taste will be just as amazing, but without the gluten.
How To Make Lasagna Rollups
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of lasagna rollups. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.
- Prepare Lasagna Noodles: Follow the package instructions to cook the lasagna noodles. Once cooked, drain them and set aside.
Pro Tip: To prevent sticking, drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the cooked noodles.
- Sauté Onions: In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Incorporate minced garlic into the skillet and continue to sauté, stirring for an additional 30 seconds.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Season with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until the beef is no longer pink, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Mix in the tomato sauce with the cooked beef, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: While the sauce simmers, combine ricotta, a portion of the parmesan, and a portion of the mozzarella cheese in a small bowl. Set aside.
Assemble Rollups
- Base Layer: Spoon 2 tablespoons of meat sauce into the bottom of a 5×7-inch baking dish.
- Noodle Layering: Lay the cooked noodles flat on a large plate or cutting board. Spread half of the cheese mixture over each noodle.
- Add Meat Sauce: Layer 1/4 cup of meat sauce over the cheese mixture on each noodle. Reserve any extra sauce.
- Roll and Place: Roll up the noodles and place them in the prepared baking dish.
- Final Touches: Spread any remaining meat sauce over the rollups. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
- Initial Baking: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Final Baking: Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Expert Tips
- Noodle Prep: Make sure to cook the noodles al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Meat Texture: Break the ground beef into small pieces for a smoother filling.
- Cheese Layering: Distribute the cheese evenly for a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Baking Dish: We used a 5×7 inch dish for optimal results.
Serving Suggestions
Looking to round out your meal? Here are some delightful options that pair beautifully with your lasagna rollups.
- French Bread: A classic side that never disappoints.
- Caesar Salad: Light and refreshing, it balances the richness of the lasagna.
- Sautéed Green Beans: For a healthier side, consider adding vegetables to your meal.
- Red Wine: A glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti can enhance the deep flavors of the meat and cheese, making for a more luxurious meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the lasagna rollups a day ahead. Assemble the rollups as per the recipe but hold off on baking. Store them in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to eat, allow them to come up to room temperature and bake them according to the recipe instructions, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
If you find yourself with leftovers, simply place the lasagna rollups in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave or oven until the rollups are heated through.
Absolutely! Whole wheat lasagna noodles are a great way to add some extra fiber to the dish. If you’re gluten-sensitive, gluten-free lasagna noodles work just as well. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as per the package instructions.
While ricotta cheese is traditional for lasagna, you can also use cottage cheese for a lighter option. The choice of cheese can significantly influence the flavor and texture of your lasagna rollups.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy lasagna rollups recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Lasagna Rollups For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lasagna noodles
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 4 to 5 ounces ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ cup tomato sauce , plus 2 tablespoons more for the baking dish
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese , divided
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese , divided
- chopped fresh parsley , optional for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Follow the package instructions to cook the lasagna noodles. Once cooked, drain them and set aside.Pro Tip: To prevent the lasagna noodles from sticking to each other, drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the cooked noodles.
- In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate minced garlic into the skillet and continue to sauté, stirring for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until the beef is no longer pink, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Mix in the tomato sauce with the cooked beef, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, combine ricotta, 1 tablespoon of the parmesan, and half of the mozzarella cheese in a small bowl. Set aside.
Assemble the rollups
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of meat sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Lay the cooked noodles flat on a large plate or cutting board. Spread half of the cheese mixture over each noodle.
- Layer 1/4 cup of meat sauce over the cheese mixture on each noodle. Reserve any extra sauce.
- Roll up the noodles and place them in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread any remaining meat sauce over the rollups. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Noodle Prep: Make sure to cook the noodles al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Meat Texture: Break the ground beef into small pieces for a smoother filling.
- Cheese Layering: Distribute the cheese evenly for a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Baking Dish: We used a 5×7 inch dish for optimal results.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I misread the amounts of the ricotta, mozzarella and measured double the amount of both for the cheese spread. I used half of it and rolled them up and put them in my 5×7 ceramic rectangle dish. They look HUGE but I bet they’ll be great! I was wondering what to do with the rest of the cheese spread. I’ll just make the lasagna rollups a second time!
Thanks for sharing your experience and for emailing me the photos of your lasagna rollups—they looked amazing! Using the extra cheese spread to make another batch is a great idea. You could also use it to make lasagna in the baking dish or sheet pan lasagna (both recipes are on our website), or even stuff it into manicotti shells.
Question, please? Can I substitute shredded chicken? If so, what if any spices need to be altered. And, I love your recipes – since it’s just the two of us and he’s the meat eater and I’m more seafood and vegetables.
Hi Brenda, shredded chicken would be a delicious substitution for the ground beef. Maybe 3/4 to 1 cup of shredded chicken and I’d actually leave the other ingredients the same. Hope you enjoy!
I made the lasagna rollups. Easy to make, fun, and turned out perfect. I have a friend that is getting his knee operated on and don’t live close to him, but I can make your lasagna rollups and other recipes for him and he can freeze them. He will have dinners for a week. 🙂 until I get started on more recipes.
Thank you for all your effort and recipes. They are delicious and easy to make.
Denise
If I double the recipe, do I simply use a larger baking dish? Thanks!
Yes. Since the original recipe calls for a 5×7-inch baking dish and you’re planning to double the recipe, you’ll want to opt for a larger dish. The goal is to have a dish that can hold all the ingredients comfortably, with a bit of room to spare for even cooking and to prevent any overflow.
For doubling a recipe initially designed for a 5×7-inch dish, I’d recommend trying something like an 8×10-inch or 9×13-inch dish. Don’t forget to do a “test fit” with your ingredients before you actually start baking, just to make sure everything will fit well.
Can you freeze the lasagna rollups? If so, would you recommend cooking first??? Any thoughts or recommendations is appreciated.
Certainly, lasagna roll-ups are freezer-friendly and a great make-ahead option! You can freeze them either before baking or after, depending on your preference. If you choose to freeze them before baking, assemble the roll-ups as per the recipe and place them in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. You can store them this way for up to 3 months. If you prefer to bake them first, let them cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe dish. Again, wrap tightly with plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. When you’re ready to enjoy,thaw the roll-ups overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.
When you say ‘tomato sauce’ do you mean Ketchup or Passata or something else?
Regards, Emma
Hi Emma, great question! When I say tomato sauce, I’m actually referring to tomato puree or passata, not ketchup. Either of those options will work beautifully in the recipe. Thanks for asking for clarification!
Can I make Lasagna Roll-Ups in my air fryer?
I haven’t personally tested making lasagna roll-ups in an air fryer, so I can’t vouch for the results. An air fryer operates similarly to a convection oven, as both use circulating hot air to cook food. However, there are some differences, such as the size of the cooking chamber and the intensity of the heat circulation, which could impact the cooking time and even the texture of the lasagna roll-ups. If you decide to try it in the air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time and keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. Also, you’ll want to make sure the roll-ups fit well in the air fryer basket or tray without being overcrowded.
Great recipe.
Thank you.