Name: Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound mild Italian sausage (bulk or casings removed); 1 small yellow onion, chopped (or 1 teaspoon onion powder); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 3-4 garlic cloves, minced; Pinch red pepper flakes (optional); 1 32 oz. jar marinara sauce (Rao's Brand recommended); 3/4 cup water; 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (cubed, granulated or base); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 egg; 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (micro grater preferred); 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; Pinch nutmeg; 12 lasagna noodles (classic, NOT no boil); 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

There’s something irresistibly comforting about layers of rich meat sauce and gooey cheese wrapped up neatly in tender noodles. This Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe is my go-to for a cozy dinner that feels special but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Trust me, you’ll love the way these roll-ups bake into cheesy, saucy perfection every single time.

The image shows a close-up of a white baking dish filled with several rolled pasta pieces covered in thick red tomato sauce mixed with bits of cooked meat. Each roll is topped with a melted layer of white cheese that looks soft and slightly browned. Fresh green chopped herbs are sprinkled evenly over the cheese, adding color contrast. The sauce is rich and chunky, with visible tomato pieces and bits of meat that make the dish look hearty. The rolled pasta edges are visible under the sauce and cheese layers, adding texture. A golden spoon is lifting one piece from the dish, showing the layers inside with saucy pasta, meat, and cheese. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these cheesy meat lasagna roll-ups; it was a cold evening, and the whole house filled with the smell of simmering tomato sauce and herbs. What struck me immediately was how every bite balanced that hearty meat flavor with creamy cheese, all wrapped in tender noodles. It’s a recipe that feels fancy but is actually very friendly for weeknights or weekend dinners alike.

Perfect Portion Control: Each roll-up is an individual serving, making it easy to serve guests or pack leftovers.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble it a day in advance, meaning less stress on the day you want to enjoy it.
Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce: Slow-simmered with fresh herbs, sausage, and a hint of spice for deep savory notes.
Cheese Lover’s Dream: A blend of mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and a pinch of nutmeg makes the filling creamy and decadent.

This image shows a close-up of a white dish filled with rich lasagna made of three visible layers: the bottom layer is wide, wavy pasta noodles with a light yellow color; the middle layer consists of chunky red tomato sauce mixed with brown ground meat; the top layer is thick, melted white cheese sprinkled with bright green chopped herbs. The dish looks hot and gooey, with some cheese stretching as a serving spoon lifts a portion from the dish. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because every ingredient brings its own magic. The Italian sausage adds juicy richness while fresh herbs brighten the sauce. Creamy ricotta combined with mozzarella and Parmesan creates that perfect melty, cheesy texture you want, and the traditional noodles hold it all together beautifully.

Flat lay of a mound of mild Italian sausage in raw ground form, a small chopped yellow onion heap, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of finely minced fresh basil leaves, another small white ceramic bowl of finely chopped fresh parsley, a few dried red pepper flakes scattered on the surface, a small white ceramic bowl holding loose dried oregano, a small white ceramic bowl with dried thyme, a block of whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shredded mozzarella cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy whole milk ricotta cheese, a small white ceramic bowl holding smooth sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of whole nutmeg nut, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red marinara sauce, a stack of flat cooked classic lasagna noodles, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley for garnish, all arranged symmetrically on a simple white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: The base for sautéing, adds subtle fruitiness and helps develop the meat sauce flavors.
Mild Italian sausage: Goes beyond plain ground beef, offering spiced, flavorful meat that makes each roll-up taste gourmet.
Yellow onion: Gives a natural sweetness and depth, a quick sauté is enough to soften it just right.
Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor for a rich, thick sauce consistency.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic makes all the difference versus powder, giving that punchy aroma and flavor.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch for a mild heat that elevates without overwhelming.
Marinara sauce: I trust Rao’s for a high-quality, well-balanced tomato flavor; it’s the bulk of the sauce.
Water: Balances sauce thickness and helps with simmering.
Fresh basil and parsley: Brighten the sauce and cheese filling — fresh herbs always beat dried if you can.
Chicken bouillon: Adds subtle savory depth, but optional if you prefer a lighter sauce.
Dried oregano and thyme: Classic Italian herbs that round out the sauce flavor.
Salt and pepper: To season and bring all the flavors together.
Egg: Binds the cheese filling for smooth consistency in every bite.
Mozzarella cheese: Both shredded for filling and topping, it melts beautifully for that classic lasagna stretch and gooeyness.
Whole milk ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, giving the filling a luscious texture.
Sour cream: Adds tang and richness to balance the meatiness.
Parmesan cheese: Grated finely for a sharp, nutty kick in the cheese mix.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch for warm spice that subtly enhances the dairy flavors.
Lasagna noodles (not no-boil): Cooked just right so they roll easily without cracking or sticking.
Fresh parsley garnish: Optional but adds a lovely fresh note and color on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe is a blank canvas for your tastes and tweaks. I usually keep it classic, but sometimes I swap out the sausage for ground turkey for a lighter spin or kick up the spice for extra heat. You can get creative without losing that comforting vibe.

Variation: Adding sautéed mushrooms and spinach inside the roll-ups is a favorite twist of mine — it amps up the veggie content without stealing the spotlight from the cheese and meat.
Diet-friendly: I've made it with gluten-free noodles that behave surprisingly well if you’re watching gluten intake.
Seasonal tweak: Swap fresh summer basil with oregano in colder months for a slowly evolving flavor profile.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Step 1: Perfectly Cooking and Preparing the Noodles

I start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil—seasoning the water really helps the noodles absorb flavor. I cook the lasagna noodles just shy of package directions, usually 1-2 minutes less, so they’re pliable but not mushy. Then, I rinse them under cold water to stop cooking and pat them dry carefully. Laying them flat on parchment-lined baking sheets prevents sticking and makes rolling easier later.

Step 2: Simmering a Flavorful Meat Sauce

Next, I sauté onions and bulk Italian sausage in olive oil until everything is beautifully caramelized and cooked through — crumbling the sausage finely for even meatiness. Adding tomato paste and garlic lets those flavors bloom, and then stirring in marinara, water, herbs, and seasoning creates a sauce that’s hearty but balanced. I let it simmer gently for about 8 minutes to marry all those good tastes.

Step 3: Whipping Up the Creamy Cheese Filling

While the sauce simmers, I whisk an egg into a bowl and add shredded mozzarella, ricotta, sour cream, Parmesan, herbs, salt, pepper, and just a pinch of nutmeg. Stirring everything together until smooth gives the filling a creamy, tangy richness that complements the savory meat sauce perfectly.

Step 4: Assembling and Rolling Each Lasagna Noodle

Using a large cookie scoop, I spread about a quarter cup of the cheese filling evenly over the center of each noodle, then top that with a quarter cup of meat sauce. Rolling them up tightly—with a gentle finger press on the sides—keeps the filling from oozing out. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the prepared baking dish with a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Baking the Roll-Ups to Perfection

Once all the roll-ups are nestled in the dish, I drizzle the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with more shredded mozzarella. Tent the pan with foil (making sure it doesn’t touch the cheese) to prevent the top from burning, then bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes. The result? Golden, bubbly, deeply flavorful roll-ups that smell like a warm Italian hug.

Top Tip

From personal experience, nailing that mozzarella to ricotta ratio in the cheese filling is key because it affects how creamy and stretchable the roll-ups get. And don't rush the simmering stage of the meat sauce—letting those flavors meld makes every bite sing.

Sauce Simmering: Patience makes perfect—don’t skip simmering the meat sauce for those deep, rich layers of flavor.
Cheese Balance: Too much mozzarella and it gets stringy; too much ricotta and it’s loose—stick to the recipe for the best texture.
Rolling Technique: Use your fingers to gently tuck the filling in as you roll to avoid leaks during baking.
Foil Tenting: Prevents the cheese from burning while letting everything cook through beautifully.

How to Serve Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a little freshly chopped parsley on top just before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a dusting of extra Parmesan helps, especially if you want to impress guests with a little added savory touch.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or a crunchy baguette also complements it perfectly and rounds out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the roll-ups on a serving platter with extra fresh herbs around and little bowls of chili flakes and grated cheese on the side. It turns this humble comfort food into an elegant centerpiece without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers immediately covered tightly with foil or in an airtight container in the fridge. In my experience, these roll-ups stay tender and tasty for up to 5 days, perfect for lunches or easy dinners later in the week.

Freezing

One of the best things about this Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe is that it freezes like a charm. I assemble everything in a freezer-safe dish but hold off on baking. Wrapped well with plastic and foil, they keep up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight, let stand at room temp 30 minutes, then bake with 10 extra minutes for a no-fuss dinner rescue.

Reheating

I prefer reheating leftovers in the oven covered with foil at 325ºF for about 20-25 minutes so the cheese melts evenly without drying out. Microwaving works too—midway through the process, I cover the plate with a paper towel to avoid messy splatters.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use no-boil noodles for this recipe?

I recommend sticking with classic lasagna noodles boiled just shy of al dente. No-boil noodles tend to be less flexible, making the rolling process tricky and more prone to tearing. Cooking and chilling the noodles before assembly gives you the best results.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or cooked lentils, and boost the flavor with extra herbs and spices in the sauce. You might want to add a splash of vegetable broth in place of chicken bouillon for that savory depth.

How long can I refrigerate assembled but unbaked roll-ups?

You can assemble these roll-ups up to 24 hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Just pull them out 30 minutes before baking to come to room temperature, then add roughly 10 extra minutes to the bake time for even cooking.

What’s the best way to prevent the noodles from sticking?

After boiling, rinse the noodles in cold water and pat them very dry. Lay them flat on parchment or silicone mats in a single layer without overlapping. This prevents them from sticking to each other and makes rolling easier.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Meat Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I’m thrilled every time I slice into those cheesy, saucy rolls, hearing the soft pull of mozzarella and tasting that rich blend of herbs and sausage. I can’t recommend it enough—whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or a cozy night in, give these roll-ups a try and watch them become a favorite in your home too!