Cheesy Meat Sauce Lasagna Roll Ups are pure comfort food: tender pasta wrapped around creamy ricotta filling, savory meat sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. I love how they bring the familiar flavors of classic lasagna to the table in tidy, individual portions. They look special, yet they are made with everyday ingredients.

The filling combines ricotta, mozzarella, freshly grated Parmesan, egg, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. For the hearty sauce, ground beef and Italian sausage simmer with onion, garlic, chicken broth, and marinara. A little Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce are optional, but they add extra depth and a gentle kick. More mozzarella melts over the top for a golden, bubbly finish.

To make these lasagna roll ups, cook the noodles until just al dente, then spread each one with cheese filling and meat sauce. Roll them snugly, arrange them seam side down in a casserole dish, cover with the remaining sauce and mozzarella, and bake. Although there are a few easy assembly steps, the process is simple to follow. The recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to bake.

Serve these cheesy meat sauce lasagna roll ups on a chilly evening, at a family dinner, or when you want a make-ahead meal for guests. They are also handy for potlucks because each roll is easy to serve. Pair them with a fresh salad or vegetables, and dinner is ready.

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Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Meat Sauce Lasagna Roll Ups

• Classic comfort, in a fun shape: Each roll has pasta, creamy cheese filling, and savory meat sauce in every bite.
• Easy to prepare ahead: Assemble the dish up to two days in advance, or freeze it for a future dinner.
• Simple, familiar ingredients: Ricotta, mozzarella, beef, sausage, and marinara make a crowd-pleasing combination.
• Great for sharing: Twelve roll ups make it easy to serve a family meal or bring a dish to a gathering.
• Easy to customize: Choose hot or mild Italian sausage, adjust the optional hot sauce, or try one of the swaps below.

Ground Beef and Sausage Tips

For a balanced, savory sauce, use half a pound each of ground beef and ground Italian sausage. Mild sausage keeps the flavor family-friendly, while hot sausage adds more spice. If possible, choose ground meat with enough fat to stay flavorful, then drain the excess grease after browning so the sauce does not feel oily. Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks, and wait until it is no longer pink before adding the garlic. That timing helps the garlic stay fragrant rather than burn.

Options for Substitutions

• Ground turkey for beef: Replace the ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter-tasting sauce. Since turkey can be lean, watch it as it cooks and avoid letting it dry out.
• All beef or all sausage: Use one pound of ground beef or Italian sausage instead of splitting the meat. The finished sauce will have a slightly different flavor and richness.
• Vegetable broth for chicken broth: Use vegetable broth if that is what you have on hand. It will still help loosen the browned bits in the pan.
• Fresh herbs for dried herbs: Use fresh oregano, basil, and parsley in place of dried herbs. Add them to taste, remembering that dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Cottage cheese for ricotta: For a different filling texture, use cottage cheese in place of ricotta. If it looks watery, drain it first.
• Gluten-free noodles: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles if needed. Cook them according to the package, and handle them gently because some varieties break more easily.

Watch Out for These Mistakes

Do not cook the noodles until they are fully soft. They will bake again in the casserole, so cook them just to al dente according to the package. Then rinse them under cold water and lay them flat, which helps stop the cooking and keeps them from sticking together.

Next, avoid putting too much filling on each noodle. Spread about 2½ tablespoons of cheese filling and roughly ¼ cup of meat sauce over each one. Too much filling can make the roll ups hard to close and cause the filling to spill out while you roll.

Also, do not forget to save enough sauce for the top. The recipe uses about three cups of meat sauce inside the roll ups, and the rest goes over them before baking. That top layer helps keep the noodles moist as they cook.

Finally, cover the casserole with foil sprayed with nonstick spray, with the sprayed side facing down. This helps prevent the mozzarella from sticking to the foil. If you broil the top for extra color, watch it closely because cheese can brown quickly under a hot broiler.

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What to Serve With Cheesy Meat Sauce Lasagna Roll Ups?

Because these roll ups are rich and hearty, pair them with fresh or simply cooked sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a cool, refreshing contrast, while roasted broccoli or green beans bring color and a little crunch. You could also serve garlic bread for soaking up extra marinara, or a simple bowl of steamed vegetables for an easy weeknight meal. For a balanced plate, choose one vegetable side and keep the bread optional.

Storage Instructions

Store: Let leftover lasagna roll ups cool, then cover the dish tightly or move portions to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw it fully in the refrigerator before baking. Let the chilled dish rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before it goes into the oven.

Reheat: For the oven, cover the leftovers and warm them at 350°F with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water, broth, or marinara for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. On the stovetop, warm individual portions in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of sauce or water. For the microwave, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, add a small spoonful of water or marinara, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals until hot throughout.

Recipe Info

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• Servings: 12
• Estimated Calories: 403 kcal per serving

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: About 380 to 430 per serving
• Protein: About 22 to 28 grams per serving
• Fat: About 18 to 24 grams per serving
• Carbohydrates: About 30 to 38 grams per serving

These are approximate ranges. Actual nutrition can vary based on the brands of marinara, cheese, sausage, and noodles you use, as well as the fat content of the meat.

Ingredients

For the cheese filling:

• 15 oz ricotta
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan, freshly grated
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ¼ tsp pepper

For the meat sauce:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• ½ lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
• 3 garlic cloves
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 32 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

For assembly:

• 12 lasagna noodles, plus extras in case of breakage
• 1½ cups mozzarella, for topping

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Filling and Prepare the Pan

In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, basil, parsley, and pepper. Mix until combined, then set the filling aside. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375°F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2: Soften the Onion and Brown the Meat

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until softened. Then raise the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until it is no longer pink. Add the garlic for the final minute, then drain off the excess grease.

Step 3: Finish the Meat Sauce

Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the remaining marinara, Worcestershire sauce if using, and hot sauce if using. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer while you prepare the noodles. This brief simmer helps the flavors come together.

Step 4: Cook and Fill the Noodles

Cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, following the package directions. Drain and rinse them with cold water, then lay them flat on parchment or wax paper. Spread about 2½ tablespoons of the cheese filling over each noodle, followed by about ¼ cup of meat sauce. Use roughly 3 cups of sauce for the filling, and save the rest to top the rolls.

Step 5: Roll and Assemble

Roll each filled noodle snugly, then place it seam side down in the prepared casserole dish. Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the roll ups and sprinkle the 1½ cups of mozzarella over the top. Cover the dish with foil sprayed with nonstick spray, placing the sprayed side down so the cheese is less likely to stick.

Step 6: Bake and Serve

Bake covered at 375°F for 35 minutes, until hot and bubbly. For a browner cheese topping, uncover the casserole and broil at 450°F, watching closely so the cheese does not burn. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm.

For a make-ahead meal, assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw a frozen casserole fully, then let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. If baking it cold from the refrigerator, add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time. For leftovers, refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

These cheesy meat sauce lasagna roll ups bring together tender noodles, a seasoned ricotta filling, and a hearty beef-and-sausage marinara sauce. They are easy to serve, simple to prepare ahead, and just right for a family dinner or gathering. Try them for your next comfort-food night, then share how they turned out or tell us which sides you served. If you enjoy cozy pasta dinners, explore more baked pasta recipes for another easy meal idea.