Key Takeaways:
- Caprese lasagna roll ups combine the fresh flavors of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and marinara with the comfort of baked lasagna.
- Rolling individual lasagna noodles creates evenly portioned servings that are easier to serve than traditional layered lasagna.
- Fresh mozzarella and basil provide the authentic Caprese flavor and melt beautifully during baking.
- Whole milk ricotta creates a richer, creamier filling than low-fat varieties.
- Cook the lasagna noodles until just al dente to prevent tearing while rolling.
- Pat fresh mozzarella and tomatoes dry before assembling to reduce excess moisture.
- Bake covered for most of the cooking time, then uncover during the final minutes for a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
- These roll ups can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Freeze assembled roll ups for up to three months for an easy make-ahead dinner.
- Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
Overview
Caprese lasagna roll ups are an easy, individual-serving twist on traditional lasagna that combines the classic flavors of a Caprese salad with Italian comfort food. Instead of layering pasta, each cooked lasagna noodle is spread with a creamy cheese filling, rolled around fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes, then baked in marinara sauce until bubbly. The result is a lighter vegetarian meal with fresh basil flavor, melted mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and a golden cheesy topping.
This recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, entertaining guests, or freezer meals because each roll-up is perfectly portioned and easy to serve. For the best texture, use whole milk ricotta, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil, and avoid overfilling the noodles so they stay tightly rolled while baking. Many home cooks also prepare the roll ups a day ahead or freeze them before baking for a convenient make-ahead meal.
Caprese Lasagna Roll-Ups: Tender lasagna noodles are filled with a savory blend of creamy cheese, juicy fresh tomatoes, grilled vegetables, and flavorful Italian sausage. For a satisfying vegetarian option, simply leave out the sausage. Each roll-up is nestled in rich marinara sauce, topped with a generous layer of melted cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden. Pair with a crisp garden salad and warm garlic bread for an elegant dinner that’s perfect for date nights, family gatherings, or any special occasion.
What makes these caprese lasagna roll-ups so delicious?
What makes these Caprese Lasagna Roll-Ups so irresistible? It all starts with the pasta. (click here for the recipe) Fresh homemade egg pasta creates a delicate, flavorful foundation that takes this recipe to the next level. Made with just eggs and flour, the dough is rolled extra thin, giving each roll-up a soft, tender texture that pairs perfectly with the fresh Caprese filling.
While making homemade pasta requires a little extra time, the rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture are well worth the effort. It transforms this dish into a restaurant-quality lasagna you’ll want to make again and again.
Short on time? No problem. Store-bought lasagna noodles work well too, making this recipe easy enough for busy weeknights while still delivering delicious results.
How Do I Make Caprese Lasagna Roll-ups?
Begin by preparing the homemade pasta noodles. Spread a layer of creamy ricotta cheese over each noodle, then top with thin slices of ripe plum tomatoes. Add grilled zucchini, savory Italian sausage, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture. Finish with a generous layer of freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
For the best flavor, add fresh basil, oregano, and thyme before rolling everything together. If fresh herbs aren’t available, a sprinkle of dried Italian seasoning works just as well.
To make these Caprese Lasagna Roll-Ups vegetarian, simply leave out the Italian sausage while keeping all the other delicious ingredients.
Spread a layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of your baking dish. Carefully roll each pasta sheet around the filling, keeping it as tight as possible to prevent the filling from spilling out. Arrange the lasagna roll-ups seam-side down in the dish. Spoon additional marinara sauce over the top, then sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the centers are thoroughly heated. The result is a flavorful, cheesy Caprese Lasagna Roll-Up casserole that’s perfect for any occasion.
Serve warm with crispy garlic bread and a fresh garden salad for a complete, satisfying meal. These Caprese Lasagna Roll-Ups are an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s ideal for family meals, potlucks, or sharing with someone special.
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Caprese Lasagna - Roll-ups
Equipment
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- pasta roller and cutter (optional but very helpful)
Ingredients
Homemade Pasta (purchase Lasagna pasta if you don't have time to make homemade)
- 2 cups flour unbleached all-purpose 8.5-ounces or Italian 00 (9-ounces)
- 3 eggs large
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp water only add if you use unbleached all-purpose flour
Roll-up
- 1½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cups marinara sauce 1 jar purchased or homemade
- 2 zucchini sliced ¼ inch thick and grilled
- 3 Italian Sausages (frozen) sliced into 15 slices each (see notes)
- ⅔ cup roasted red peppers coarsely chopped
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 4 fresh plum tomatoes sliced thin
- 12 1/2 sheets pasta
- ¼ cup fresh Italian herbs minced, basil, thyme, and oregano. If you don't have fresh herbs use dried Italian herbs instead. Sprinkle them on each roll-up.
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese grated and split 2/3 and 1/3.
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
Instructions
- To adjust the portions, click on the number of serving, and a slider will pop up. Adjusting the slider up or down will automatically calculate the amount needed for each ingredient.
Homemade Pasta (skip if you purchased Lasagna noodles)
- Mix all the pasta ingredients together in the bowl of the stand mixer. Knead the dough on medium-low until you have a smooth dough. About 2 minutes.
- Let the dough rest for 60 minutes. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and cover to keep from drying out. Then roll out each piece of dough using the pasta roller attachment until the desired thickness is achieved. I stop on number 6 of the pasta roller. Add flour as needed if the dough is a little sticky. You can also roll the dough by hand.
- Cut the rolled sheet down the middle to form 2 pieces. Each piece is 3 inches wide and 15 inches long.
- Cook the pasta in 4 quarts of boiling water until desired doneness (about 1 minute).
- Drain into a colander and run under cool water briefly to stop the cooking process, then pat dry.
Roll-ups
- Preheat the oven to 375°F If you are using Lasagna pasta - cook the pasta al-dente.
- Lay the twelve, 15-inch pieces of pasta out on your work surface.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of marinara to the bottom of a 9 X 9-inch baking pan.
- Mix the egg and Italian seasoning with the ricotta cheese. Spread 2 tbsp of the ricotta cheese mixture on each 15-inch piece of pasta.
- Divide and then layer the grilled zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, and sliced plum tomatoes equally among the pieces of pasta.
- Top with 2/3 of the grated mozzarella cheese.
- Roll each piece of layered pasta up and place it in the baking dish.
- Top with the rest of the marinara, grated mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. The non-stick spray will prevent the melted cheese from sticking to the foil.
- Bake for 1 hour.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ:
Can I use store-bought pasta instead of homemade pasta?
How do I make this dish vegetarian?
What can I use if I don’t have fresh herbs?
How do I prevent the filling from spilling when rolling the pasta?
What side dishes pair well with Caprese Lasagna Roll-ups?
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Final Thoughts
These Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups are the perfect combination of classic Italian comfort food and fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Creamy cheese, juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and tender lasagna noodles come together in individual portions that are both beautiful to serve and satisfying to eat. The roll-up style also makes meal prep, serving, and storing leftovers much easier than traditional layered lasagna.
Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner, preparing meals ahead for the week, or looking for a meatless dish that’s full of flavor, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Pair it with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Once you try these Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups, you’ll have a fresh and delicious twist on classic lasagna that everyone will request again and again.
