This easy and quick spinach lasagna roll-ups recipe is perfect for weeknight meals. Filled with ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach, these roll-ups are not only delicious but also healthy. The trifecta of being good for you, memorable, and simple to make makes them one of Nicole’s all-time favorites. Whether you’re preparing it for a busy weeknight or a special meal, these roll-ups are sure to become a favorite in your own collection of recipes. Rather than a complicated dish, this one is quick and good, proving that tasty food can be easy to prepare and satisfying to enjoy.
Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups-The Short Answer
Why You’ll Love Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Spinach lasagna roll-ups are a delicious and fun way to enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna in a more convenient, individual format. Here’s why they stand out:
- Portion control is a breeze. Unlike traditional layered lasagna, which can be messy to slice and serve evenly, these roll-ups are already divided into perfect individual servings, making meal prep and serving much easier.
- The visually appealing spiraled presentation with green spinach and a creamy white cheese filling, topped with red marinara or white béchamel sauce, is both aesthetically pleasing and sure to impress your guests at a dinner party.
- Ease of preparation is another key factor. No complicated layering required—simply assemble the roll-ups, and you’re done. You can also customize the fillings with different cheeses, herbs, or even ground meat or sausage for added variety.
- The balance of hearty, healthy, and satisfying ingredients makes these roll-ups a great meal choice. Wholesome spinach combined with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses offers a healthy-ish dish that’s packed with flavor and perfect for the whole family.
- They are also make-ahead and freezer-friendly, which makes meal prepping easier. Whether served as a vegetarian main course or paired with a protein as a side dish, these roll-ups are a versatile and family-friendly option.
Ingredients
Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need to create the perfect spinach lasagna roll-ups:
- Lasagna noodles: Start with 1 box lasagna noodles, making sure to cook and drain them thoroughly. Once drained, lay them out on parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Spinach: You’ll need 24-oz. bag frozen spinach, which you should defrost and drain very well to remove excess moisture. You can also use a 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, but make sure it’s thawed and well-drained.
- Cheese: The cheese mixture is key to the flavor:
- Cottage cheese and ricotta cheese are great options for a creamy filling. You can use 1 cup ricotta cheese.
- For extra creaminess, add 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also use 2/3 cup shredded cheese like mozzarella, Romano, or a blend, depending on your preference.
- Don’t forget to include ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese for the perfect cheesy finish.
- Sauce and seasonings: For the sauce, you’ll need 14 ounce jar spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce to give the rolls a tangy, rich base. To bring out the flavors:
- 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon salt for seasoning.
- Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Garlic and other essentials:
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced, will add an aromatic, savory punch.
- A little olive oil to sauté the garlic, ensuring the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Fresh spinach: For added freshness, you can include 2 cups finely chopped baby spinach (around 3 ounces). This will add a lovely texture and freshness to the dish.
Putting It All Together
Once you have all your ingredients prepped, it’s time to assemble your spinach lasagna roll-ups. Begin by spreading your cheese mixture over each lasagna noodle, followed by a generous layer of the spinach filling. Roll them up carefully, place them in a baking dish, and top with your sauce and a sprinkle of shredded cheese and grated Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbly, and you’ll have a delicious and nutritious meal.
How to Make Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Making spinach lasagna roll-ups is an easy and enjoyable way to serve up a comforting meal with an elegant twist. These roll-ups are perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to special occasions like Yom Tov. Here’s how to prepare them step by step.
1. Prepare the Noodles
- Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water with a pinch of salt until they are tender but still firm (about 8 minutes).
- Once cooked, drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean towel to cool down. This will prevent them from sticking together.
- If you find the noodles too starchy and prone to sticking, you can rinse them briefly under cold water and add a little oil to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients:
- Frozen spinach, already defrosted and with the liquid squeezed out
- Ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cottage cheese (you can use chalav Yisrael ricotta cheese if preferred)
- A pinch of salt and a little black pepper
- Olive oil sautéed garlic (cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant)
- Stir everything together until evenly mixed. The mixture should be creamy and packed with flavor.
3. Assemble the Roll-Ups
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ (or 350 degrees F).
- Take each lasagna noodle and spread about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on the top of the noodle.
- Roll-up each noodle from bottom to top, keeping the filling tightly inside, with the seam-side facing down.
- Arrange the roll-ups in a disposable 9×13 pan or an oven-to-table serving dish. Make sure they are placed side by side to fit neatly in the dish.
4. Add Sauce and Cheese
- Pour marinara sauce generously over the roll-ups.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top for a deliciously cheesy finish.
5. Bake the Roll-Ups
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle additional cheese on top, then bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- The roll-ups will need a total of 1 hour in the oven to cook through.
Once done, serve the spinach lasagna roll-ups hot, and enjoy this satisfying dish!
Notes & Nutrition
Preparing the Spinach
When making spinach lasagna roll-ups, one crucial step is preparing the spinach properly. You’ll want to ensure there’s no excess liquid in the spinach before adding it to the roll-ups.
- Squeeze out any extra moisture by placing the spinach in a tea towel.
- Twist the towel into a sack and gently squeeze over the sink until no more water comes out.
- This ensures your roll-ups won’t become soggy when baking or freezing.
Once the spinach is ready, you can either freeze the roll-ups, cooked or uncooked, for later use.
Nutrition Breakdown
Each serving of spinach lasagna roll-ups is packed with essential nutrients, making it a great meal choice.
- Calories: 202 per serving.
- Fat: 7g, which accounts for 9% of your daily value.
- Carbs: 27g, including 10g of total carbohydrate and 6g of sugars.
- Protein: 10g, giving you a good amount of protein per serving.
These roll-ups are not just tasty but also nutritious, providing key minerals and vitamins:
- Dietary Fiber: 3g, or 11% of your daily needs.
- Vitamin C: 3mg, offering 4% of the daily recommended intake.
- Calcium: 202mg, contributing 16% of your daily calcium intake.
- Iron: 2mg, fulfilling 10% of your iron needs.
- Potassium: 343mg, covering 7% of your potassium intake.
Perfect for Various Diets
The great thing about spinach lasagna roll-ups is their ability to fit into various dietary preferences. They are:
- Soy-free
- Shellfish-free
- Fish-free
- Egg-free
- Peanut-free
- Tree-nut-free
- Pork-free
- Red-meat-free
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
This makes them an ideal choice for people with different food restrictions or those following specific diets.
Sodium & Other Nutrients
While the roll-ups are nutritious, it’s also important to consider their sodium content:
- Sodium: 645mg per serving, which is about 28% of your daily value.
With the right balance of sodium, protein, and essential vitamins, these roll-ups offer a healthy meal option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Variations You Can Try
As a food explorer, I am trying my best to tell you all homemade recipes that you can enjoy at minimum cost and in hygienic way. I am giving you my other recipes which are related to Pasta & Rice Hub. Some other recipes are giving below:
Unstuffed Peppers Recipe With a Twist You Must Try
Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta With a Secret Upgrade-Try It!
The Ground Turkey Spaghetti Recipe Your Family Will Beg For!
Easy Spaghetti Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing for Summer
I hope you will visit all these recipes and enjoy my recipes because it will boosts your craze for homemade products. I also bet that when you try first time it will boost your taste and you will become addictive to these recipes. I will recommend you that instead of this category you will visit my other categories such as Chef’s Specials , Spice & Seasonings, Brew Boosts, Sweet Cravings. These recipes will also boosts your taste.
FAQs
Can you use fresh spinach in lasagna roll-ups?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach in lasagna roll-ups. While frozen cooked spinach can save time, fresh spinach offers the best flavor and texture. Just cook spinach by sautéing it until it wilts or squeeze frozen spinach to remove excess liquid before using it.
Should I cook spinach before putting it in lasagna?
Yes, you should cook spinach to prevent a soggy dish. Raw spinach releases water, which makes the lasagna watery. Sautéing fresh spinach or thawing and squeezing frozen spinach ensures it’s not too wet.
What are common mistakes in veggie lasagna?
Common mistakes include overcooking noodles, using too much sauce, uneven layering, not using enough cheese, overcrowding layers, skipping resting period, and underseasoning meat sauce.
What’s the difference between roll-ups and lasagna?
Roll-ups have the same components as lasagna, but the filling is spread on each lasagna noodle and rolled into a perfect portion, rather than layering everything in a casserole dish.
What is the best spinach to use in lasagna?
The best spinach for lasagna is fresh flat leaf spinach or curly leaf spinach for the best spinach flavor and texture. Frozen spinach can be used, but fresh spinach is always superior.
What vegetables do you put in a vegetable lasagna?
Common vegetables in vegetable lasagna include spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, eggplant, bell peppers, carrots, butternut squash, cauliflower, and broccoli. Add garlic and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
