Prep time: 30 mins | Total time: 1 hr 20 mins | Servings: 16
These roll-ups are the perfect freezer meal! Delicious and a must quick dinner on busy weeknights. A wonderful and simple recipe, you would not want to change a thing!
Ingredients
Roll-Ups (to make ahead and freeze):
16 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 pound lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 1/2 c. tomato pasta sauce
2 containers (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
1 box (9 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
2 tsp dried basil leaves or Italian seasoning
1 Egg
Sauce and cheese (for baking roll-ups):
3 c. tomato pasta sauce
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
How to make Make-Ahead Meat-Lovers’ Lasagna Roll-Ups
Step 1: Following the package directions, cook the lasagna noodles in a 5-quart Dutch oven. Drain, rinse with hot water and drain again.
Step 2: In the meantime, cook the beef, sausage, and onion in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is brown, stirring often. Drain the excess grease when done before stirring in 1 1/2 cups of pasta sauce. Adjust the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, uncovered while stirring occasionally. When done, remove from the heat.
Step 3: Place the ricotta cheese, spinach, basil, and egg in a small bowl. Mix well. Then, over each cooked lasagna noodle, spread around 3 tbsp ricotta mixture to within an inch of one short end, followed with about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture. Firmly roll the lasagna up toward the unfilled end.
Step 4: Using foil, line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan. Place the rolls-ups to the lined pan seam-side-down, then loosely tent with foil. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until firm.
Step 5: In an airtight freezer container, transfer the frozen rolls. Label the container and store the frozen rolls in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Step 6: When baking the roll-ups, begin with greasing a (3-quart) two 13 x 9-inch glass baking dishes using cooking spray. Take the roll-ups from the freezer bag and place 8 rolls in each prepared baking dish. Tent with oil, thaw in the fridge for at least 8 hours (no longer than 24 hours).
Step 7: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Over and around the roll-ups, pour 1 1/2 cups of pasta sauce, then tightly cover each dish with foil. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Remove the covers and sprinkle each with a cup of mozzarella cheese. Return in the oven and continue to bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven when done and let the roll-ups stand for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
TIPS:
1. Feel free to bake as many roll-ups that you need, keeping in mind that each roll-up needs about 3 tbsp pasta sauce and about 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese.
2. If you want to save some time, you can just use 4 cups of thawed frozen Make-Ahead Seasoned Ground Beef and Sausage for the beef, sausage, and onion. In a skillet, place the thawed mixture along with the pasta sauce and proceed as written in the recipe.
3. Freeze the rest of the jarred pasta sauce. Place in a freezer container, label, and when ready to use, thaw with the roll-ups.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size: 1 Serving, Calories 320 | Calories from Fat 130 | Total Fat14g 22% | Saturated Fat 6g 31% | Trans Fat 0g | Cholesterol 60mg 20% | Sodium 350mg 15% | Potassium 420mg 12% | Total Carbohydrate 27g 9% | Dietary Fiber 2g 10% | Sugars 5g | Protein 21g | Vitamin A 25% | Vitamin C 0% | Calcium 30% | Iron 15%
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