Enjoy all the flavor of Lasagna with these individual roll ups.

I love pasta. Spaghetti, Fettuccine Alfredo, Baked Ziti, Ravioli, you name it, if it involves noodles and some kind of sauce, count me in.

I'm also a big fan of lasagna. The problem with lasagna is that you have to brown the ground beef or Italian sausage, boil the noodles, then layer it all together with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, then bake it for like half an hour or longer. Then you run into the problem of noodle edges getting over cooked and crispy which is like bronchitis, ain't nobody got time for that.

These easy lasagna roll ups give you all the flavor you love about lasagna in about half the time, and possibly the best part — no crispy edges!

Here's what you need:

  • 1 package of spaghetti seasoning
  • 1 - 6 ounce can of tomato paste
  • 2-1/4 cups of water
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or butter
  • 2 cups cottage or ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 box lasagna noodles (Do NOT buy the "No Boil" kind)

Boil water in a large pot and cook your lasagna noodles according to the package directions. While this is going on, make your spaghetti sauce by mixing the seasoning, tomato paste, water, and oil or butter in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil then turn the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. If you don't feel like messing with this step, buy a jar of sauce and warm it up in a pot.

*Side note: I prefer the "homemade" sauce over the jarred or canned. It's a little thicker and the tomato paste gives it a richer tomato flavor in my opinion, but to each their own.

Now you need to make the filling for your roll ups. To do this, mix the cottage or ricotta cheese, the mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, garlic salt, and basil in a large bowl.

Once your noodles are done, drain them and lay them out individually on a counter top or whatever work surface you choose (table, cutting board, etc.). Spread a 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture down the entire length of each noodle and roll from one end to the other. Place your roll ups seem side down in a microwave safe baking dish (we use an eight inch by eight inch glass dish at our house) and microwave for six to seven minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt. Remove the dish from the microwave and pour the sauce on top. Return the dish to the microwave and cook for one more minute.

Serve with garlic bread, steamed veggies, or a side salad.

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