This Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe is my official solution to the classic lasagna dilemma: how to get all of that cheesy, saucy, comforting flavor without the messy layering and even messier serving.
I have always loved lasagna. It’s a true culinary hug. But I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed making it. The process felt like a major construction project, with layers of noodles, sauce, and cheese. And serving it? It was always a disaster. No matter how carefully I cut the slices, they would collapse into a sloppy (though delicious) pile on the plate. It was a weekend-only, special-occasion meal that I rarely had the patience for.
The idea for roll-ups was a complete game-changer. I realized I could have all the same incredible ingredients—the savory Italian sausage, the creamy spinach-ricotta filling, the rich marinara—but in a perfectly portioned, elegant, and unbelievably easy format. Instead of layering, you just spread, roll, and arrange. It’s genius! This Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe was born from that revelation, and it has become one of the most requested dinners in my home.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Be Obsessed with This Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with lasagna all over again. These Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups are a true standout for so many reasons.
- Perfectly Portioned and Easy to Serve: Say goodbye to the sloppy lasagna slice! Each roll-up is a neat, tidy, and perfect single serving. They look beautiful on the plate and are incredibly easy to serve.
- Easier and Faster Than Traditional Lasagna: The “spread and roll” method is so much simpler and less fussy than layering a whole casserole dish. It takes the intimidation factor out of making lasagna.
- Freezer-Friendly Dream: These roll-ups are perfect for meal prep. You can assemble them and freeze them before baking for a delicious, homemade meal on a busy night.
The Health Benefits
While this is pure comfort food, making Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups at home gives you some fantastic nutritional benefits. The spinach is packed with vitamins and iron, while the ricotta cheese and sausage provide a great source of protein and calcium to keep you feeling full and satisfied. By controlling the ingredients yourself, you can opt for leaner sausage or part-skim cheeses to create a wholesome meal that still feels incredibly indulgent.
Perfect Occasions for These Lasagna Roll-Ups
- A Stress-Free Weeknight Dinner: Because they are so much easier to assemble than a full lasagna, they are perfect for a special weeknight family meal.
- An Impressive Dish for Guests: These roll-ups look so elegant and tidy, making them a perfect main course for a dinner party. Your guests will be so impressed!
- When You Need to Bring a Meal: This is the perfect dish to bring to a new parent or a friend in need. It’s comforting, delicious, and easy for them to just pop in the oven.
This recipe is your key to enjoying all the flavor of a classic lasagna with none of the fuss. Get ready to roll!
Chef’s Notes: Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Sauté garlic into the sauce – A minced clove added during simmer builds deeper flavor.
- Pair with fresh salad – A lemony green salad balances the richness of cheese and sausage.
- Flash-freeze leftovers – Lay rolls on a tray to freeze individually, then store airtight up to 1 month.
- Mix spinach with kale – Combining greens adds texture and nutrient variety to the filling.
- Use part-skim cheeses – Helps lighten the dish while keeping it creamy and satisfying.
- Top with fresh basil post-bake – Adds herbal lift and visual contrast to golden roll-ups.
- Broil for browned finish – Final blast under the broiler creates crispy cheese edges.
- Reserve sauce for bottom layer – Keeps noodles moist and prevents drying during bake.
- Let rest before serving – Resting helps the rolls set and prevents molten filling spillout.
- Double for batch prep – Easily scale up and freeze extras for quick weeknight dinners.
Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
4
servings15
minutes30
minutes920
kcal5
minutes50
minutesGet ready to roll into flavor with these mouthwatering lasagna roll-ups! Packed with savory sausage, vibrant spinach, and three melty cheeses, this dish is an easy weeknight winner. In true celebrity-chef style, we’ve swapped specialty shells for classic lasagna noodles—no hunting in the pasta aisle required. Whether you’re hosting friends or meal-prepping for the week, these cheesy bundles bring comfort and flair to your table. Let’s turn simple ingredients into a show-stopping Italian feast!
Ingredients
- Proteins
0.5 lb mild or hot turkey sausage swap with pork sausage if preferred
- Cheeses Fillings
7.5 oz part-skim ricotta or cottage cheese use 8 oz cottage cheese as a lighter substitute
4 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella
0.5 cup finely grated Parmesan
- Pasta
6 sheets lasagna sheets (regular or gluten-free)
- Sauce
1.5 cups marinara or jarred tomato basil sauce
- Produce Seasonings
5 oz thawed and well-drained spinach
0.125 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
- Optional Seasoning
black pepper pinch, optional
- Alternative Ingredients
Turkey sausage replaces Italian sausage for lower fat content.
Cottage cheese in place of ricotta for a milder creamier texture.
Gluten-free lasagna sheets instead of wheat-based pasta for gluten sensitivity.
Homemade tomato sauce instead of jarred marinara for fresher flavor.
Nutritional yeast + tofu blend for dairy-free “ricotta.”
Spinach kale mix instead of pure spinach for extra nutrients.
Directions
- Brown Sausage Simmer Sauce – In a medium cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, crumble in the sausage and cook until no pink remains, about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce and let it bubble gently for 3 minutes. This step builds flavor by toasting the sausage fat and melding it with the tomato.
- Mix Cheesy Filling – In a roomy mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta (or cottage cheese), mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, drained spinach, and salt. Stir until smooth, about 2 minutes. The spinach integrates better when cheeses are at room temperature.
- Assemble Roll-Ups – Preheat your oven to 425 °F. Lay six lasagna sheets flat on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Spoon roughly 3 Tbsp of filling near one edge of each noodle and roll tightly. Place rolls seam-side down in a casserole dish coated with a thin layer of sauce. (Optional: sprinkle chopped basil inside each roll for freshness)
- Top Bake Covered – Pour remaining sauce over the rolls, ensuring strands stay moist, then scatter the last ¼ cup Parmesan on top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes until heated through and bubbling around edges.
- Broil for Golden Finish and Serve – Uncover, switch oven to broil on high, and place dish under the heat for 3–4 minutes until golden brown spots appear on the cheese. Keep a close eye to prevent burning. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Then Serve.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- casserole dish
- Mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- colander
Notes
- For extra depth, stir a minced clove of garlic into the sauce during simmer.
- Serve alongside a crisp green salad drizzled with lemon-olive oil vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
- Leftovers freeze beautifully—flash-freeze rolls on a tray, then transfer to airtight containers for up to one month.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes for heat or swap half the spinach for finely chopped kale for a heartier green.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 0g
- Calories: 920kcal
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sodium: 2034mg
- Potassium: 1190mg
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 42g
- Vitamin A: 1270IU
- Vitamin C: 15.2mg
- Calcium: 298mg
- Iron: 6.6mg
FAQs: Sausage Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Can I make sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover the dish tightly and refrigerate. When ready, bake as directed. Making sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups ahead of time is a great way to reduce stress before dinner or guests arrive.
Can sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups be frozen?
Absolutely. Sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups freeze beautifully before baking. Assemble the roll-ups, place them in a freezer-safe dish, and cover tightly. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding extra time as needed. Freezing sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups makes them perfect for meal prep or gifting.
What kind of sausage works best for sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups?
You can use Italian sausage—either sweet or spicy—for your sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups. Pork sausage gives the most traditional flavor, but you can also use chicken or turkey sausage. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fully cooked before rolling into the sausage spinach lasagna roll-ups.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes. If you don’t have lasagna sheets, wide pasta like manicotti or cooked pasta shells can work with similar filling and baking time.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Use plant-based sausage or swap with mushrooms sautéed in olive oil for a savory meat-free alternative.
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