Here’s a delicious and fun twist on classic lasagna—Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups. This version wraps up all the layers of a traditional lasagna into individual roll-ups, making them easy to serve and enjoy!
🍝 Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
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1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
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1/4 cup breadcrumbs
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 large egg
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tbsp dried)
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Lasagna:
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12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
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2 cups ricotta cheese
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1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 egg
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2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
🔪 Instructions:
1. Make the Meatballs:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
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Form into small meatballs, about 1–1.5 inches in diameter.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked through). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Prepare the Lasagna Roll-Ups:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
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Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Lay a cooked lasagna noodle flat and spread with a generous amount of the ricotta mixture, then place a meatball or two along the noodle (depending on the size of your meatballs).
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Carefully roll up the lasagna noodle around the meatballs and ricotta mixture. Place the roll-up seam-side down in the baking dish.
3. Assemble and Bake:
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Once all the roll-ups are arranged in the baking dish, cover them with the remaining marinara sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
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Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
🍽️ To Serve:
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Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan if desired.
These Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups are a fun and easy way to enjoy classic lasagna with a twist! Would you like a vegetarian version or tips on how to make this gluten-free?