Description
Cheesy Bolognese Roll-Ups are a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring tender lasagna noodles filled with rich ground beef Bolognese sauce and creamy ricotta mixture, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a hearty family dinner that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 lasagna noodles (cooked and drained)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook beef and aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef browns and the onion softens, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Prepare Bolognese sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors and thicken slightly.
- Mix cheese filling: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until well blended to create a creamy filling.
- Assemble roll-ups: Lay cooked lasagna noodles flat on a clean surface. Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over each noodle. Top each with a spoonful of the prepared Bolognese sauce, then tightly roll each noodle up and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Add sauce and cheese topping: Spoon any remaining Bolognese sauce over the arranged roll-ups in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve the roll-ups hot, paired nicely with a green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for ground beef to suit dietary preferences.
- Prepare the roll-ups ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours before baking, ideal for meal prepping.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or warm garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 roll-ups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
