These Spinach Lasagna Rolls with a garlicky cottage cheese filling for a fun twist and make a delicious weeknight meal option when you’re craving Italian food. Lots of melty mozzarella on top will give you a perfectly cheesy, saucy bite every time!
Why You’ll Love These Lasagna Rolls
If you love lasagna but want to try your hand at a new recipe, these baked lasagna rolls will make their way into your weekly meal rotation in no time.
- Freezer-friendly. Prep this easy dinner in advance and pop it into the oven on hectic weeknights.
- Italian-inspired. Spinach, basil, marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella pack every bite with lots of Italian flavor.
- Effortless. Once the noodles are cooked, whisk the filling, roll the lasagna sheets, and let the oven do the rest.
- Perfect for gatherings. Double the recipe and bake it all together so you don’t have to spend your evening in the kitchen.
Recipe Ingredients
Milky cottage cheese, garlic, and herby basil melt into a creamy filling that’s perfect with sweet marinara sauce. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.
- Lasagna sheets – Whole-wheat lasagna sheets are okay as well.
- Olive oil – Feel free to use vegetable, corn, or canola oil.
- Red onion – White and yellow onions are good substitutes.
- Garlic – You can also use garlic paste for this.
- Fresh spinach – Go for regular or baby spinach. If you use frozen, make sure it’s thawed and well drained.
- Cottage cheese – I used small-curd cottage cheese, but ricotta is wonderful too.
- Garlic powder – 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic is a great swap.
- Dried basil – Feel free to use fresh basil or parsley instead.
- Salt and pepper – I prefer kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper.
- Marinara sauce – Add your favorite!
- Mozzarella cheese – Any melty cheese like cheddar or Muenster works too.
How To Make Spinach Lasagna Rolls
You want the noodles to be cool to the touch so you don’t burn yourself while rolling them up. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.
- Prep the kitchen. Preheat the oven to 350F. Generously grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set it aside. Pour 1 cup marinara sauce into a 13×9″ baking dish, spread it out, and set it aside.
- Sautée the veggies. Add the oil and onions to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook them for 2-3 minutes, or until soft and translucent. It’s okay if they brown a little but don’t let them burn. Mix in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the spinach and stir until completely wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and set it aside.
- Boil the noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Remove the noodles from the pot and set them on the greased baking sheet. Don’t overlap them to prevent sticking. Let them cool.
- Make the filling. Combine the sautéed veggies, cottage cheese, garlic powder, basil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Assemble the rolls. Spread out 1-2 tablespoons of filling over each lasagna noodle. Roll them up. Place them in the baking dish with marinara sauce. Top with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Bake them. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
From gluten-free to protein-packed or making the cheese filling spicy, there’s a variation of these effortless lasagna rolls for everyone.
- Make them spicy. Mix 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the filling for a kick of heat.
- Swap the sauce. Skip the marinara and use Alfredo sauce, sun-dried tomato sauce, or vodka sauce for an easy variation.
- Line it. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and reduce clean-up. Avoid foil because it’s more likely for the lasagna rolls to stick if the sauce dries up.
- Stay in the center. Never bake on the bottom oven rack, even if you’re in a rush. You’ll only burn the bottom of the lasagna rolls before the center and top have had a chance to heat up. Always bake in the center oven rack for best results because the heat distribution’s more even there.
- Make a cheese blend. Shred all the different bits of leftover cheese you have in the fridge for a custom cheese blend you can use instead of mozzarella. Melty kinds like provolone, Gouda, Monterey Jack, etc are best.
- Go gluten-free. Swap the lasagna sheets for a gluten-free version so people with GF diets can enjoy this recipe too.
- Add protein. Mix 1-1 1/2 cups shredded chicken or ground beef into the filling for a heartier, protein-packed dinner.
Can I Make These In Advance?
Absolutely! Assemble the recipe as usual up to 2 days in advance but don’t bake it. Cover with foil and refrigerate. Pop it into the oven right before dinner.
Proper Storage
Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight when on the counter for cooling or reheating.
- Fridge: Place them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For large portions, cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Discard immediately if they taste sour or bitter.
- Freezer: This works for assembled but un-cooked lasagna rolls. Wrap the baking dish with plastic wrap twice. Transfer it to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.
- To reheat it: Microwave it in 20-second increments until warm. You can also use the oven at 300F for 25-30 minutes.
More Vegetarian Recipes To Try
- Caprese Pizza with Balsamic Reduction
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
- Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad
- Spinach Mushroom Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Spinach Lasagna Rolls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 lasagna rolls 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This cheesy lasagna rolls recipe with tomatoey marinara, cottage cheese, and garlicky spinach is an easy baked dinner you’ll love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 sheets of lasagna
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh roughly chopped spinach
- 1 1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- salt & pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F..
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat, add olive oil and onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes, until translucent.
- Next, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds, immediately add spinach. Wilt down for 3-4 minutes—season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles till al dente {written on box}. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray so the noodles do not stick. Remove noodles and place on baking sheet until cool enough to touch.
- In a small bowl, add spinach mixture, cottage cheese, garlic powder, dried basil, and salt & pepper to taste. Mix until combined.
- In a 13×9 inch pan add 1 cup of marinara sauce to the bottom.
- Start to assemble lasagna rolls. Place lasagna noodle on a flat surface. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the filling mixture to the noodles and spread out even.
- Roll from one end to the other and place rolls in pan.
- Finish off with 1 cup of marinara sauce on top of finished noodles.
- Place 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese on each lasagna roll.
- Cover with foil.
- Bake for 40 minutes and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 415 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
17 comments on “Spinach Lasagna Rolls”
This sounds a lovely dish, looking amazing in pictures, my family will love this. rolls are something my kids love the most in mid evening snack.
I went through this exact same scenario with my 2 yr. old when he decided to climb furniture after I took him off of the coffee table 10 plus times, fell backwards and broke arm in the same areas. My husband was supposedly at a “business meeting” with friends that ended up being an excuse to get drunk, so when I called him I was cursed out and called the worst mother ever, etc. I drove 40 miles with my toddler and autistic child to the children’s hospital alone, after waiting an hour at urgent care to be told that’s where we had to go. Then, interviewed by staff to make sure it wasn’t a child abuse case, I was bawling the whole time. We got out at midnight and got lost in a rough area. My autistic son came to the rescue and helped me find the freeway home. spouse still thinks this is a “hilarious memory”, when my kids and I only remember it as a very difficult, scary night. so glad your son made it out okay.
OH my goodness! I can’t even imagine! When you’re kid gets hurt and you can’t help them fix it .. it’s the most helpless feeling ever! UGhhh… sooo horrible! I’m sorry girl, glad you guys made it through that rough night and came out on the other side, those are the worst. They leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted!!!
So scary!! Glad that he is going to be ok, but so scary for everyone!!
These lasagna rolls looks so comforting and a great way to deal with rough stuff going on!
Agreed! It was crazy to look at his arm like that, I definitely had a little panic but had to get myself together so he wasn’t scared and we got to the hospital.
And you are right… comforting lasagna rolls are a great way to destress.. that and a glass of wine. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about the little ones arm! I can only imagine how terrifying that must have felt. I’m so happy they were able to get him in right away. When he got home I’m betting a giant plate of this lasagna would help cheer him up right away!
Oh my goodness it was the worst moment ever, but he is a champ and has figured out to play like he use to with one arm.
These little rolls are a thing of beauty! I want it for dinner tonight!
hehehe.. thanks girl! 🙂
I love lasagna in every possible form. I’ve never tried it rolled up with spinach. It looks and sounds amazing!
Oh you will love it Lisa! 🙂
I see dinner for tonight…yum
Bon Appetit!
I am sorry to hear about your scary experience! Glad he is okay, and his arm will be healed in no time! No parent wants to go through that 🙁 On a positive note your lasagna rolls look soooo good, and perfect for my vegetarian lifestyle!
Thanks Kacey, you are so right! His arm is already doing better! 🙂
Pumped you liked the lasagna rolls!
Oh my gosh, having a hurt child is such a scary thing!!! Prayers to you and your little boy for a speedy recovery! On another note, those lasagna rolls look amazing 🙂
Thank you so much Amanda!