In my never ending quest to prepare lasagna every which way possible, I put together these individual lasagna rollups for dinner recently. Lasagna rollups are delicious with a variety of fillings but I’m especially fond of this chicken pesto version.
Over the course of my life, especially my married life, I’ve come to believe that pasta is a piece of the puzzle that creates happiness in our lives. Think I’m going a little overboard? I think not. My husband and I are frequently asked how we’ve managed to stayed married for 30 years (I was 12 when I got married) and not only just stay married, but stay happily married. Each time we smile, look at each other and say…
“It’s the three P’s. Pasta, Pie, and Patience.”
It started as a joke but I’ve come to believe that this simple formula is truly what breeds happiness. We both have the skill to enjoy the things in front of us. Simple things like a day off, a good movie, a trip to the beach….and pasta and pie. And, we’ve both learned to be endlessly patient with each other. That part is harder than the pasta and pie part but vitally important. So, there you go. If you are a new couple heading into married life, I wish you lots of pasta, pie, and patience along the way.
Shall we talk about lasagna rollups now?
They may look complicated but these rollups are actually fun and easy to make. It’s as simple as cooking lasagna noodles according to the package directions and then spreading a mixture of ricotta, egg, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper over each noodle. A little pesto goes over the top. For the assembly, I like to lay the cooked noodles out on a double layer of paper towels to blot up any excess water.
Add a little cooked, shredded chicken. Store bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly but you can cook and shred your own if you prefer.
Roll ’em up.
Lightly coat a 13′ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and place the rollups, seam side down, into the dish. For the sauce, I add about 1/4 cup half-and-half to 2 cups of jarred marinara sauce. It’s not enough to make it a true tomato cream sauce but the added dairy softens the marinara a little and it goes perfectly with the filling. Spoon this mixture evenly over the rollups. This recipe is made very easy with the use of ready-made pesto and marinara. No fuss, no muss.
Of course, we’ve got to add cheese. Shredded mozzarella and a little more Parmesan go over the top. Time for the oven.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or till bubbly and heated through.
Chicken Pesto Lasagna Rollups
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 15 ounce container part skim ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese, plus additional for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (store bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup half and half
Instructions
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Spread about 3 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture on a cooked, drained lasagna noodle then a little pesto, then some shredded chicken. Roll up and place in baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles and filling.
- Combine marinara and half and half. Spoon evenly over each rollup and the sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan, as desired.
- Baked, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly.
- Adapted from Baked by Rachel
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
A few more twists on classic lasagna.
Yum! I was going to offer some helpful critiques for the preparation process but one bite fresh out of the oven has rendered my mind blank! =P
Oh, that got me laughing out loud! Food has that very same effect on me, LL. If those suggestions ever come to mind, don’t hesitate to hop back on over and let me know. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for making me smile today 🙂
Would it be okay If I used chicken breasts (cooked, then shredded) and I know Pesto is part of the name, but if I left that out would it be okay?
Hi Luna. Part of the beauty of cooking at home is modifying recipes to suit your taste! You can absolutely substitute cooked, shredded chicken breasts. If you are going to omit the pesto, I’d recommend adding something in its place for flavor. Maybe a drizzle of marinara or alfredo? I hope it works out well for you 🙂
Can this be frozen before cooked?
I haven’t tried it but I can’t see why not. I’ve frozen many other pasta dishes with great success. You might want to take a look at my post for Homemade Frozen Lasagna if you are looking for fix and freeze pasta dishes.
Here is the link –> Homemade Frozen Lasagna
These lasagna roll ups look so good. I am going to try them right away. Love using chicken in recipes when I can.
Plan to make half with marinara and half with a white sauce of some kind, maybe alfredo. Have one grandson that doesn’t like red sauce. Thanks for the great idea.
It will be yummy with a white sauce 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy!
Stepson and wife are coming to visit Have not see them in tears, and this is perfect to serve them. Thank you for receipt.
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I hope you all enjoy the dish! Enjoy your time with your family 🙂
Wow, you were so young when you married! Makes me feel like I`ll be a such singleton at my age! Haha. I loved reading this post.
This dish does sound simple and fun to make. This is why I love your recipes!!
Hi, Lynna! You know I was kidding about being 12 when I got married, right? I was 13…ha!
You’ve done it again, Val! Made me laugh, that is. The 3 P’s, I’m sure my wife and I have a variation on that, the 3 S’s, maybe.
The dish is brilliant, can’t wait to try it.
Well, hello there sir. I’m dying to know what the 3 S’s are…I think? Dare I ask? 🙂
I totally agree…and patience, boy that is a big one here…and I don’t just mean me having to be patient. lol I can be a handful myself! 😉 Grumpy loves lasagna and I don’t! I don’t care for all the ground meat in it – but I can do chicken and love pesto so I think I must follow suit and give this one a try. I’ll let you know how it goes over here!
Thanks, Shelby! It’s good to find a compromise dish 🙂
What a simple, delicious and elegant meal! I love the idea of mixing up the lasagna filling with chicken and pesto – yum!!!
Pasta is my absolute favorite! This is a recipe we would love!
This is my kind of recipe! Delicious! I’m going to have to make this.
yepp. Pasta is the key to happiness. FOR SURE. Esp lasagna + chicken + pestooooo!!!