Looking for a new twist on lasagna for family meals? We’ve got a great recipe for you! Our Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups are a hit, easy to make, and loved by all.
This recipe mixes meatballs and lasagna in a fun roll-up. It’s perfect for any meal and will wow your guests.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to make a creative twist on traditional lasagna
- Discover the secret to making irresistible Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Get tips for making this dish perfect for family gatherings and weeknight dinners
- Find out how to make this recipe a family favorite
- Understand the benefits of using meatballs in lasagna roll-ups
The Perfect Fusion of Italian Comfort Foods
Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups mix two favorite Italian dishes. They blend the taste of meatballs with the layers of lasagna. This makes a meal that’s both comforting and new.
Why These Roll-Ups Are a Family Favorite
These roll-ups are loved by families for many reasons. Here are a few:
- They’re easy to eat and fun for kids.
- The mix of meatballs and lasagna noodles is tasty.
- You can add your family’s favorite ingredients.
Time-Saving Benefits of This Recipe
Our Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups are tasty and quick to make. Here are some ways they save time:
- You can make the meatballs ahead of time.
- The roll-ups can be put together and stored until baking.
- The recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients.
By mixing the best of Italian comfort foods, we’ve made a dish perfect for busy families. It doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality.
Essential Ingredients for Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups
To make the perfect Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups, you’ll need a few key ingredients. You’ll also need some basic kitchen tools. This dish combines two Italian favorites: meatball lasagna and lasagna roll-ups.
Meatball Ingredients and Seasonings
The meatballs are a key part, made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and Italian seasonings. These include oregano and basil. Using quality ingredients makes the meatballs taste great.
Sauce and Cheese Components
For the sauce, use a high-quality marinara sauce. You can make it yourself or buy it. The cheese mix has ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. This gives the dish a creamy texture.
Equipment and Kitchen Tools Needed
To make the Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups, you’ll need some basic tools. You’ll need a large skillet, a baking dish, and a pot for boiling lasagna noodles. Having the right tools makes cooking easier.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Let’s start cooking our Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups. This guide will help you make a delicious dish.
Creating Flavorful Homemade Meatballs
To begin, we make our meatballs. Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing. Shape into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. You’ll get 20-25 meatballs.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and roll them to coat evenly.
Preparing and Cooking the Lasagna Noodles
While the meatballs bake, cook the lasagna noodles. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the noodles until they’re al dente, then drain and dry them on a clean towel. This step prevents the noodles from becoming soggy.
Rolling and Assembling Your Roll-Ups
To assemble, spread marinara sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay a cooked noodle flat. Spread ricotta cheese mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan on top, leaving a small border. Place a few meatballs on top, then roll the noodle into a tight log.
Place the roll-up seam-side down in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and filling, creating our lasagna roll-ups recipe.
Baking Time and Temperature Guidelines
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place all the roll-ups in the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, add more marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and bake for 10-15 minutes more. This will melt the cheese and complete our Italian meatball recipe dish.
Serving Suggestions and Make-Ahead Tips
Now that you’ve learned to make Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups, it’s time to think about serving them. Pair your roll-ups with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian meal. For dessert, try tiramisu or cannoli for a sweet finish.
Preparing the Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups ahead of time is easy. Just assemble them, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to a day or freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw frozen roll-ups overnight and bake as instructed. This makes it simple to enjoy a homemade Italian meal even on busy days.
Meatball Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce divided
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
- Make Meatball Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Shape into small meatballs (about 1-inch in size).
- Cook Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides until cooked through (~8–10 min). Set aside.
- Assemble Roll-Ups:
- Lay cooked lasagna noodles flat.
- Spread a thin layer of ricotta on each noodle.
- Place 2–3 meatballs along the length of each noodle.
- Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
- Layer & Bake:
- Pour 1 cup marinara sauce into the dish.
- Top roll-ups with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 min.
- Uncover and bake 10 more min until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool 5 min before serving.
