Beefy Lasagna Roll Ups

Beefy Lasagna Roll Ups are a creative twist on the classic Italian dish, with tender noodles wrapped around a rich meat sauce and creamy ricotta filling, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

This hearty, satisfying casserole is sure to become a family favorite, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 lasagna noodles
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Drain excess fat.

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.

Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Mix well to combine.

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions.

Drain and set aside.

To assemble the roll-ups, lay a cooked lasagna noodle flat and spread about 1/4 cup of the ricotta mixture along the center of the noodle.

Top the ricotta mixture with about 1/4 cup of the meat sauce and sprinkle with some shredded mozzarella cheese.

Roll up the noodle tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Repeat with the remaining noodles and filling.

Cover the roll-ups with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let the roll-ups rest for a few minutes before serving.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

Make sure to cook the lasagna noodles al dente, so they’re not too soft or mushy when you assemble the roll-ups. Also, don’t overfill the noodles with the ricotta mixture and meat sauce, or they might break apart when you roll them up.

Using a high-quality marinara sauce will really make a difference in the flavor of the dish, so choose a good one! You can also use homemade sauce if you have a favorite recipe.

To prevent the roll-ups from sticking to the baking dish, make sure to spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish before adding the roll-ups. If you want to make the recipe more substantial, you can add some sautéed spinach or diced bell peppers to the ricotta mixture for extra flavor and nutrients.

Keep an eye on the roll-ups when you remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking, as the cheese can go from perfectly melted to burnt quickly.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 540
• Total Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 750mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 34g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 37g