Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups

Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Category: Pasta / Dinner
• Keywords: Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups, Lasagna with Meatballs, Pasta Bake, Easy Family Dinner, deesviral
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6–8 servings

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 24 small cooked Italian meatballs (homemade or frozen and thawed)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Lay cooked lasagna noodles flat. Spread each with a layer of ricotta mixture, place 2 meatballs at one end, sprinkle with a bit of mozzarella, and roll tightly.
4. Pour 1 cup marinara sauce into the bottom of the dish. Place roll-ups seam-side down in the dish.
5. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired. Serve hot.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• Noodles tearing? Don’t overcook—boil just until al dente and drain carefully.
• Runny filling? Be sure to drain ricotta and let meatballs cool before rolling.
• Too dry? Use enough marinara to coat both the bottom and tops before baking.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Assemble roll-ups in a freezer-safe dish and freeze before baking. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F for about 50–60 minutes.
• Reheat: Microwave or reheat covered in oven until warmed through.

Why This Recipe Works

These roll-ups bring comfort food to a whole new level — every bite delivers cheesy pasta, juicy meatballs, and hearty sauce. They’re easier to portion than traditional lasagna and fun to prepare with the whole family. It’s a flexible and dependable recipe from deesviral that always earns a spot on the dinner table.

Expert Tips

• Use homemade or store-bought meatballs — just make sure they’re fully cooked before rolling.
• Add sautéed spinach or chopped basil to the ricotta for extra flavor.
• Try using béchamel sauce for a creamier variation.