Pepperoni Roll Ups

These pepperoni pizza lasagna roll ups have been my go-to dinner trick for ages. I came up with them when my kiddos went through a pizza-only eating stage but I needed to switch up our meals. Turns out, mixing pizza flavors with rolled-up lasagna creates something amazing. They look fancy with their spiral layers, but they're actually way easier to put together than regular lasagna and tons more fun to eat.

Just weeks ago, I whipped these up when my niece and nephew stayed over, and my sister messaged me the very next day saying her little ones were begging for 'those swirly pizza things' at home. My nephew, who normally picks apart everything on his plate, wolfed down two without a single fuss.

Essential Ingredients

• Lasagna noodles: Go for wide ones as they roll better. Don't overcook them or you'll end up with tears during rolling.
• Ricotta mixture: This smooth base gets jazzed up with Italian seasonings for that real pizzeria taste. Don't skip the garlic and onion powders!
• Pepperoni slices: The standard size works better than mini ones here. They make those pretty red spirals in each roll.
• Marinara sauce: Grab your top pick from the store to keep things easy, or make your own if you're feeling fancy. Thicker sauces work really well for this dish.
• Mozzarella cheese: Grate it yourself for better melting. Those long, stretchy cheese pulls make everyone smile.

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Rolling Techniques

Noodle know-how:

Keep those noodles al dente! They should bend without breaking but still have some firmness. I usually cook them one minute less than what the box says.

Cheese spreading tricks:

Grab an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth that ricotta mix evenly, leaving a tiny edge at one end. This gives you a nice seal when you roll them up.

Pepperoni pointers:

Line up your pepperoni in a single row with slight overlap. Cramming too many makes rolling a nightmare. Remember, you don't need tons to get great flavor!

Rolling method:

Begin from one short end and roll it up tight like you would a cinnamon roll. Put them seam-side down in your dish so they stay closed during baking.

Sauce tips:

Be generous with your sauce! Some on the bottom stops sticking, and plenty on top keeps everything juicy while it bakes.

Cheese covering:

Load up that mozzarella on top for amazing taste and to help everything stick together as it melts. Think of it as tasty glue!

I stumbled on this idea completely by chance when I planned to make regular lasagna but ran out of time. Instead of doing all those layers, I just rolled up the stuff and hoped it wouldn't be awful. My family went absolutely wild for them, especially my husband who loved that each bite had the right amount of pasta and filling. Now they ask for these at least once a month.

Pairing Suggestions

These rolls go perfectly with a basic Caesar salad and some garlic bread for that complete Italian dinner feel at home. Want something lighter? Try them with some roasted broccoli or a crisp green salad. They also work great as party food - just cut each roll in half for easy-to-grab bites.

Creative Variations

Swap the pepperoni for spicy Italian sausage if you want more heat. Toss in some cooked mushrooms, peppers, or olives in the filling for a loaded supreme version. If you're all about meat, add a layer of browned ground beef alongside the pepperoni. Don't eat meat? Skip the pepperoni and pile on the sautéed veggies instead.

Keeping Leftovers

These rolls actually taste even better the day after when all the flavors have mixed together nicely. Keep any extras covered in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to prep ahead, put everything together but don't bake it - wrap it up tight and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, then bake as normal but add about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time.

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I've brought these pepperoni pizza lasagna roll ups to countless family dinners, community potlucks, and as meals for friends with new babies. There's something special about familiar pizza flavors wrapped up in this fun new package that wins over everyone from fussy kids to grown-up food critics. They hit that sweet spot between everyday comfort food and something a bit special - familiar enough for picky eaters but different enough that you don't feel like you're serving the same old dinner again.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these in advance?

Of course! Put everything together, cover it up, and chill for up to a day. If baking from cold, give it an extra 5-10 minutes in the oven.

→ What's the best way to freeze them?

Store baked roll ups in a sealed freezer container for up to 3 months. For reheating, thaw overnight and warm for 20 minutes, or cook frozen at 350°F for 2 hours.

→ Can I use instant lasagna sheets?

Regular noodles work better here. Instant ones crack when rolled and need sauce completely covering them to cook right.

→ What can I swap for pepperoni for a veggie option?

Use sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers, or try meat-free pepperoni for a vegetarian twist.

→ Why is the ricotta mix too runny?

Some brands of ricotta just come extra wet. Strain it for 30 minutes through a fine sieve to firm it up before seasoning.