Savory Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups

If you ask me, pizza lasagna roll ups are the perfect mash-up of two Italian favorites.

These fun little bundles combine everything you love about pizza and lasagna into one easy-to-serve dish. Melted cheese and zesty marinara sauce wrap around pasta rolls stuffed with your favorite pizza toppings.

I like to make these on busy weeknights when I want something that feels special but doesn’t take hours to prepare. The kids get excited when they see the rolls bubbling away in the oven, and everyone can pick their favorite pizza fillings.

It’s a cozy, filling meal that brings the whole family to the table, perfect for those nights when you want some comfort food with a twist.

What Kind of Ricotta Should I Use?

For the creamiest and most flavorful roll ups, whole milk ricotta is definitely the way to go. While you might be tempted to grab low-fat ricotta to save some calories, it often has a grainier texture that won’t give you that smooth, luxurious filling we’re after. If you notice any liquid on top of your ricotta when you open the container, just drain it off with a fine-mesh strainer before using. A helpful tip is to give your ricotta a quick stir before measuring – this breaks up any clumps and makes it easier to spread in your roll ups. If you’re feeling fancy, you could even use fresh ricotta from an Italian deli, though the standard supermarket variety will work just fine for this recipe.

Options for Substitutions

This fun pizza-meets-lasagna recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match what you have in your kitchen:

• Oven-ready lasagna noodles: Regular lasagna noodles work just fine – just cook them according to package directions first. In a pinch, you could even use large pasta sheets, though you might need to adjust the rolling technique.
• Ricotta cheese: If you’re out of ricotta, you can use cottage cheese (drain and blend it first for a smoother texture) or a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream (use equal parts of each).
• Mozzarella cheese: Pre-shredded or fresh mozzarella both work great. You could also try provolone or a pizza cheese blend if that’s what you have on hand.
• Parmesan cheese: Romano or Asiago cheese make good stand-ins for parmesan. Just avoid the shelf-stable grated stuff in this recipe – it won’t melt properly.
• Pizza sauce: Regular marinara sauce works just as well. You can even use a mixture of tomato sauce and Italian herbs if you’re in a bind.
• Pepperoni: Feel free to swap pepperoni with any pizza toppings you like – Italian sausage, ham, or keep it vegetarian with mushrooms and bell peppers. Just make sure to pre-cook any raw meats.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making pizza lasagna roll ups is handling the noodles incorrectly – make sure to lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel after cooking and pat them dry to prevent them from sticking together or tearing when you try to roll them. Another common mistake is overfilling the rolls, which can lead to messy spillage during baking – stick to about 2-3 tablespoons of filling per noodle and spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges. To prevent your rolls from unraveling while baking, place them seam-side down in the baking dish and don’t skip pressing them gently into the sauce. For the best cheese pull and texture, avoid using pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting – instead, take the extra few minutes to grate your cheese fresh, and you’ll be rewarded with that perfect stretchy, melty result.

What to Serve With Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups?

These pizza lasagna roll ups are pretty filling on their own, but they pair perfectly with some classic Italian-style sides! A simple green salad with Italian dressing helps balance out the richness of the cheese and pepperoni, while some garlic bread is great for soaking up any extra sauce. If you’re feeding a crowd, try serving them alongside some roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms – they’ll remind you of pizza toppings and add some nice color to your plate. For a complete pizza parlor experience at home, you could even start the meal with some Caesar salad or a bowl of minestrone soup.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These pizza lasagna roll ups are perfect for meal prep! Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to make a batch on Sunday and enjoy them throughout the week – they’re just as good the next day!

Freeze: You can freeze these roll ups either before or after baking. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then pop them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use them, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat: To warm up your roll ups, cover them with foil and pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, though the texture might not be quite as nice as oven reheating.

Preparation Time	15-30 minutes
Cooking Time	25-30 minutes
Total Time	40-60 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 1800-2000
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 100-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• 10 oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 organic cage-free egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning blend
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 jars of pizza sauce (14 ounces each)
• Sliced pepperoni, for topping (to your liking)
• Crushed red pepper flakes, for topping

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Pour ½ cup of pizza sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to create a base layer.

Feel free to add more sauce if you prefer a saucier dish.

Step 2: Cook and Prepare Lasagna Noodles

Cook lasagna noodles until they are al dente, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

Once cooked, lay them out in a single layer on a clean towel to prevent them from sticking together.

Ensure they are flat to make it easier to spread on the filling and roll them up later.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, an egg, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir until well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna Rolls

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cheese filling on top of each lasagna noodle.

Add a tablespoon of pizza sauce on each noodle as well.

Carefully roll up each noodle and place it in the prepared baking dish.

Repeat for all remaining noodles.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Bake

Pour the remaining pizza sauce over the rolled noodles, adding as much as you desire.

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top, followed by the pepperoni slices.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dish is melty and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once out of the oven, sprinkle the lasagna rolls with extra parmesan if desired.

Add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for heat and serve hot!

This dish can be prepared ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and baked up to 24 hours later.

It also reheats beautifully for leftovers.