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Easy & Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna – A Healthy Twist on Comfort Food
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Easy & Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna – A Healthy Twist on Comfort Food
A plate of lasagna with cheese and herbs.
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A plate of lasagna with cheese and herbs. | lilicooks.com
Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups
If you love lasagna but want a fun twist on the classic, these Italian Meatball Lasagna Roll-Ups are exactly what you need to shake up your dinner routine. Packed with flavorful homemade Italian meatballs, creamy ricotta, and savory marinara sauce, these roll-ups are topped with gooey melted mozzarella and baked to golden perfection. These individual portions bring all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna into a convenient roll-up form that’s easier to serve and portion control while delivering that same satisfying comfort food experience everyone craves.
Why You’ll Love This
Individual portions make serving effortless – No messy cutting or uneven slices, each roll-up is perfectly portioned for easy plating
All the classic lasagna flavors in exciting new format – Familiar taste combinations presented in a way that feels fresh and special
Family-friendly dinner that pleases all ages – Kids love the individual portions while adults appreciate the sophisticated flavors
Perfect for meal prep and make-ahead planning – Assemble hours or even days ahead for stress-free weeknight dinners
Impressive presentation for entertaining guests – Looks like you spent hours creating something special when it’s actually quite simple
The first time I made these for my family, even my pickiest eater was excited about trying “pasta spirals” instead of regular lasagna. Now they’re requested at least twice a month, and I love how each person gets their own perfect portion with exactly the right ratio of pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce in every single bite.
Essential Italian Ingredients
Lasagna noodles: Cook until perfectly al dente so they maintain structure during rolling and baking without becoming mushy
Ground beef or Italian sausage: Choose quality meat with good fat content for flavorful, juicy meatballs that don’t dry out
Italian breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs while adding seasoned flavor and proper texture throughout
Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated: Adds sharp, nutty flavor to the meatballs and enhances the overall Italian authenticity
Large egg, beaten: Essential binding agent that holds the meatball mixture together during cooking
Fresh garlic cloves, minced: Provides aromatic foundation that permeates the meatballs with authentic Italian flavor
Italian seasoning blend: Convenient herb mixture that adds complex flavor without measuring multiple individual spices
Sea salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors without overwhelming them
Extra virgin olive oil: For browning meatballs and adding rich flavor that complements the Italian theme
Whole milk ricotta cheese: Creates creamy layer that balances the meat and adds authentic lasagna texture
Quality marinara sauce: Choose a good brand or make homemade for the best flavor foundation
Whole milk mozzarella, shredded: Creates that essential cheese pull and golden top that makes this dish irresistible
Complete Assembly Process
Preparing Perfect Pasta Foundation
Preheat your oven to 375°F and cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until perfectly al dente, ensuring they maintain enough structure for rolling without breaking. Drain thoroughly and lay flat on a clean kitchen towel to prevent sticking while you prepare the other components. Properly cooked noodles are crucial for successful rolling that won’t tear during assembly.
Creating Flavorful Italian Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, mixing gently until just combined without overworking the meat. Form the mixture into small, uniform meatballs about one inch in diameter for consistent cooking and easy placement on the pasta. Properly sized meatballs ensure even cooking and perfect proportions in each roll-up.
Achieving Perfect Meatball Browning
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then carefully add meatballs without overcrowding the pan. Brown on all sides until golden and cooked through completely, turning gently to maintain their round shape throughout the cooking process. This browning step develops essential flavor and ensures food safety while creating appealing texture contrast.
Assembling Individual Roll-Ups
Spread each cooked lasagna noodle flat on your work surface and apply a thin, even layer of ricotta cheese across the entire surface. Place two to three meatballs in a line along one edge of each noodle, then carefully roll up from the meatball end, keeping the filling contained while creating tight, neat spirals. Handle gently to prevent tearing the delicate pasta.
Creating Sauce Foundation
Pour one cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly to create a flavorful base that prevents sticking. Arrange the completed roll-ups seam-side down in the sauce, spacing them evenly for proper heat circulation during baking. The sauce base keeps the bottom pasta moist while adding flavor.
Adding Final Cheese Layer
Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over all the roll-ups, ensuring each one gets covered completely for consistent flavor and moisture. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the entire dish, making sure every roll-up gets covered for that perfect golden, bubbly finish that makes this dish so appealing.
Baking To Golden Perfection
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for twenty-five minutes to heat through completely, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional ten minutes until the cheese becomes golden and bubbly. The two-stage baking ensures the pasta cooks through while achieving that coveted golden cheese topping.
