Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun twist on classic Italian lasagna and Mexican lasagna. These Vegetarian Lasagna Roll Ups start with lasagna noodles and are filled with ricotta AND Mexican flavors like black beans, taco seasoning, and salsa. They are rolled up for an individually portioned dinner that is the perfect healthy meatless weekday meal.
I adore this little recipe for Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups. Now I hear you chiming in... "Hey Julie! Is it lasagna?? Is this Mexican food???"
My friends, it is both. And it is gooooood.
Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups
Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups are actually one of the first recipes I figured out when I started cooking on my own. I was just out of college, working in small market tv news and living in a small apartment by myself. I'd spend part of my weekend baking these lasagna roll ups and be SO proud. I'd eat them for most of the week and feel pretty darn good about myself. I loved that the recipe was filled with simple, easy, and economical flavors like ricotta cheese, black beans, and salsa.
The recipe has come a long way over the years and I dare say it's now downright perfect. These fun and tasty roll ups take a BIT of work to put together but I promise it's worth it.
Why You'll Love my Mexican Vegetarian Lasagna Roll Ups...
Italian and Mexican food have always been my two favorites so I loved this idea of melting the best of both cuisines into one tasty dish is PERFECT in my mind. If you aren't sold yet... just TRY IT and I promise you'll be on my Mexican Vegetarian Lasagna Roll Ups train too.
The best part about this recipe is the flavors are so simple and delicious. I add taco seasoning and canned green chilies to the ricotta cheese. Black beans add more substance and then the entire dish is topped with SALSA and CHEESE. Which is basically the answer to ANY problem.
Sure, you could stack all of these flavors up like a classic lasagna BUT rolling the noodle up makes for such a pretty presentation AND such conveniently portioned meals. The roll ups make this dish is great for meal prep and making ahead. Like a classic lasagna, the flavors continue to get better with time.
Ingredients In the Lasagna Roll Ups:
- Lasagna Noodles: Use your favorite brand of lasagna noodles and use my tip for cooking the noodles without them sticking below.
- Ricotta: Depending on your dietary preferences low fat or full fat ricotta can be used for this recipe! I use low fat.
- Black Beans: Canned black beans work great for these lasagna roll ups. Use the low sodium kind and rinse and drain them well.
- Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning blend or make your own with my very simple recipe.
- Green Chilies: The small cans of diced green chilis all a lot of flavors to the ricotta mixture!
- Salsa: Use your favorite salsa for this! I think a less chunky version works better but anything will work.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: A blend of Mexican Cheese works great for this dish. Sharp cheddar is also delicious. Once again you can pick full fat or reduced fat. Whichever fits your dietary goals.
A few fun additions to garnish the Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups plate are cilantro and lime!
How to Make Easy Lasagna Roll ups:
- Cook ten lasagna noodles until al dente tender. They can be just slightly undercooked as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Make the ricotta mixture by adding the taco seasoning, black beans, half of the Mexican cheese and green chilies to the cheese. Mix until well combined.
- To make the Mexican Vegetarian Lasagna Roll Ups you lay each noodle out flat put a scant ⅓ a cup of the cheese mixture on top of each noodle. Smooth is out and leave the end of the noodle free so there is room to start and end the rolling. (See photo below for step by step photos.)
- You then gently roll up the Mexican lasagna, making sure to not roll it so tight that the cheese oozes out the side. Repeat until all the noodles are rolled.
- In a baking dish add a ½ cup of your salsa in the bottom of the pan. Place your ten lasagna roll ups in the pan.
- Top with more salsa and cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake the Mexican lasagna rollups. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with cilantro and lime.
The end result is perfectly proportioned vegetarian Mexican lasagna goodness! Here's a step by step photo to follow:
Easy Lasagna Roll Ups
These easy Lasagna Roll Ups are such a fun combination of Mexican and Italian food inspiration.
The end result is a gorgeous tray of goodness! You can eat one or two depending on how hungry you are and if you are serving it with another side dish. See my suggestions for that below. 🙂
Can you make this ahead? What about reheating?
YES! This dish can be baked off and easily reheated in the oven. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for a simple dinner on the go or even meal prep.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Variations & Pro Tips
What to serve with Lasagna Roll Ups?
This is a great stand alone meal OR add some extra veggies by also making one of these:
- Sauteed Kale
- Cucumber, Pineapple and Avocado Salad
- Greek Yogurt Guacamole
- Simple Green Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing
How do I keep lasagna noodles from sticking together?
The hardest part of the recipe is boiling the lasagna noodles without them sticking. The trick to keep them from sticking to each other is using a shallow pan, fan out the noodles and add a little oil to the water.
Can I use oven ready lasagna noodles for roll ups?
You can! Just boil the No-boil noodles ahead of time for 5-7 minutes. It will work but I think the texture of classic lasagna noodles is better for roll ups.
I hope you will give my Vegetarian Mexican Lasanga Roll Ups a try! This is one healthy meatless dinner that hearty enough for everyone to love.
More Vegetarian Lasanga Recipes to Try:
- Vegetarian Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
- Classic No Pre-Boil Four Cheese Lasagna
- No Noodle Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna
- No Pre-Boil Portobello Mushroom Lasagna
- Baked Spaghetti Squash Casserole
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Rollups
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups salsa, divided
- 10 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente
- 15 oz low fat ricotta cheese
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 4 4 oz can green chiles
- 1 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 1 tablespoon Mexican or taco seasoning
- salt & pepper, to taste
- extras: lime & cilantro
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Put ½ cup of salsa in the bottom of the pan.
- Mix the ricotta, black beans, half of the Mexican cheese, green chilies, Mexican seasoning in a bowl. Generously salt and pepper to taste.
- Lay out the noodles flat and spread a little less than ⅓ cup of the cheese mixture in the center of each noodle, leaving room on the ends for the roll to seal.
- Carefully roll up each lasagna noodle.
- Put the vegetarian lasagna roll ups in the pan over the salsa. Top with the remaining salsa and the cheese. Cover with foil.
- Bake for 35 minutes total. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes of baking to brown the cheese.
- Serve with cilantro and a lime wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later!
Tisha says
Perfect for those who can't decide between pasta or mexican food!!
Irene RESA says
Should be delicious. I saved to my favourites to try.
Leslie says
This is a match made in heaven for me!! A Mexican lasagna is such a genius idea!!
Amber Myers says
These do look delicious. I will have to try them for sure. We always love lasagna.
Deborah Brooks says
Love the combo of Italian and Mexican flavors. it's all of my favorites rolled up into one. Can't wait to make this week
Tina muir says
I have aaallllwaaayyyss wanted to make these, and nearly did yesterday, but went for my lasagna instead. Now you make me wish I didnt. Julie, these sound wonderful! YUM YUM YUM! Thanks for linking up!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Tina! Congrats again on your race!
Anne says
That sounds good - and fun!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Anne!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Thanks for linking this one up too! Yummy!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Deborah!
Jess @hellotofit says
Mmm! Something about roll-ups just looks so yummy and...cute? hehe. Happy Friday!!
JulieWunder says
I know! cute food just tastes better! They say we eat with our eyes, right!?
Farrah says
Yay, welcome back! I never would've thought of this, but it looks super super good! <3 I need to get lasagna noodles!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Farrah! I love me some lasagna noodles!
Blane Sherer says
Welcome Back Julie !
Being away allows you to better appreciate being home.
That must be a common experience for you given how much you travel.
JulieWunder says
So true! There is no place like home!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Alex just died.
JulieWunder says
I aim to please!
Gingi says
What an interesting concept! I love the foodie things you post... and now I need to go shopping, lol! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
JulieWunder says
Thanks Gingi! I really enjoy putt together the food posts.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
You know I am all over this one! Black beans are my favorite
JulieWunder says
Me too. I always stock a bunch of cans.
Andrea says
I love the Food Network. My mom can't cook so I had to learn it all from TV. These roll-ups look amazing!
JulieWunder says
My Mom made meatloaf in the microwave, so I feel your pain. I had to teach myself a lot.
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
I mostly watch cooking competition shows (chopped and grocery games) but I still think they can be inspiring 🙂 I love the idea of mixing Mexican and Italian!
JulieWunder says
I watch the competitions shows as well. Clearly I'm obsessed with food!
Annmarie says
I can honestly say that I have never had Mexican Lasagna but now I want it! Looks so good!
JulieWunder says
It is realllllly goooood 🙂
Libby Haire says
Whee, Julie, this looks yummy. Will have to give it a try soon. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Libby! Great to see you again today. Come back soon! 🙂
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I've made something similar with shells...stuffed them with taco meat, cream cheese and salsa...so good. Healthy? Not so much but it's ok every once in a while!
JulieWunder says
Sounds perfect every once in a while!
Jenny says
What a great idea! And you're rolls are amazingly perfect...I think mine might end up being a little bit more 'rustic' looking...just a hunch. Alton Brown! He's totally my go-to guy.
Jenny says
*your.
JulieWunder says
haha! There is something to be said for a "rustic" dish! They are pretty easy though- I promise!
jill conyers says
Yum! You had me at meatless haha!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jill!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Mmm these look really good! I wouldn't think of mexican lasagna at all. However, Mexican works with anything so of course it would work!I actually never watch cooking shows on tv! ha
JulieWunder says
It sounds weird, but it is so good. This is another one that the hubs ate ALL the leftovers without that *we are eating this for a third time?* look 🙂
I started watching cooking shows more when I started trying to up my cooking game here.