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Hey foodie fam, I am back with some new recipes. I know it’s been a little while since I have had a recipe to post but the last 4 months have been such an emotional roller coaster. I either need to invest into some Kleenex stock, a good therapist or both! Between my daughter’s First Communion and then my son’s senior prom, graduation and graduation party, life has been an emotional whirlwind. Adding to this, the stresses of preparing my son to take on the college world and the reality of my first born starting a new chapter in his life away from home, has left me an emotional wreck and literally unable to formulate complete sentences, let alone write some recipes.
That was until I remembered July 29th was #NationalLasagnaDay. Nothing can get my mojo back like a little Pasta-Therapy. So here I am, ready to take on the lasagna eating world with my recipe version of lasagna roll ups. This dish not only fills the belly but heals the soul. I know it might be a little early in the season to start sharing comfort food recipes but this is just what the doctor ordered to get my spirits up and back in the kitchen.
There are a few things I love about these rolls. I really love that their individualized roll ups and that you can make each one a little unique if you choose. Perfect for those picky eaters in the house. One could be cheese only and the rest can be spinach or any variation of your choosing. The possibilities are endless. I went with a traditional ricotta cheese filling smothered in a delicious yet basic meat sauce. I equally love that you can give everyone their very own individual lasagna rollatini. It’s just so darn cute!
I know what you’re thinking … “she’s not re-inventing the lasagna roll up wheel here with this recipe”… And in fact, that is true but I have been trying to get this one posted for quite sometime now and for some reason it just seemed to be the right time. I get that the basic concept is the same, cook noodles, spread on the filling and roll. Sauce them up, bake and enjoy!
So why should you make mine? Well because… why not?! You should totally do this and check out my tips and tricks below if it’s your first time…
⇒ Basic Meat Sauce
⇒ Simple San Marzano Sauce
A few tips, tricks and suggestions
One of the tricks for a successful outcome is to make sure you boil the Lasagna sheets in A LOT of water with plenty of salt and a few drops of olive oil, this helps prevent sticking. When the noodles are just al dente drain them and quickly lay them out (use tongs to prevent burning your fingers) on a baking sheet – i find 2 sheets work well. I even had a few laying over my colander.
Another tip is to make sure your ricotta isn’t too watery. I like to put extra mozzarella and grated parmesan to help thicken up the filling when it’s too loose. Otherwise, it is all going to ooze out the side the roll up. My totally unendorsed ricotta cheese of choice is the Galbani brand and I am a stead fast lover of good old fashioned, shredded Polly-o mozzarella.
Last tip, don’t be shy with the sauce. Put a good amount on the bottom and the top, then cover with foil for a good 30 minutes. I prefer this method before taking the top off for the last 10 or 15 mins so the cheese on top get to that ooey, gooey bubbly goodness stage.
If you do not have a very large baking dish you will probably need 2. This works out for us though because I can bake both and reheat the second for leftovers later in the week. Normally this wouldn’t last more than a day in my house but since we’ll be down one hearty eater soon, I bet we can get at least one extra meal out it!
I’m not crying you are!
Hoping you’ll give this one a try and my boy finds his way home soon for some of mama’s home cooked food!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE RECIPES:
- Simple San Marzano Tomato Sauce
- Homemade Manicotti
- Eggplant Rollatini
- Individual Baked Zucchini Parmesan Casserole
Lasagna Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 Box of Lasagna noodles* traditional
- 32 oz ricotta cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 2 large eggs
- Handful Parsley chopped
- Bunch Fresh Basil chopped
- 1 batch basic meat sauce recipe link below
Instructions
- Prepare basic meat sauce (recipe link below)
- While sauce cooks bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiled add plenty of salt and a few drops of olive oil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente. Drain noodles and carefully lay flat on baking sheets.
- In a bowl combine ricotta cheese, eggs, 3 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella and 2/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, handful of chopped parsley, salt & pepper to taste.
- Spoon a large amount of ricotta cheese mixture onto lasagna noodle and spread out into a thin layer. Roll up tightly and repeat until all the noodles have been filled.
- Spoon 2 cups of sauce onto the bottom of the baking dish. Transfer lasagna noodles to baking dish, seem side down. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top and then spoon meat sauce over the top. Evenly sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese all over. Cover with tin foil and bake in oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until cheese completely melts. Let cool minutes and serve.