If you do not like spinach, do not make these, or else use a different recipe for the filling. Spinach was definitely the dominant flavor in these, which is not my favorite. I’m posting the recipe anyway, since I know it’s a good one. It’s just my particular taste buds…which can vary drastically from yours!
I had fun making these and was sincerely excited about eating them because they smelled and looked SO good! They are so pretty! But, right away on that first bite I thought “Uh oh. Strong spinach taste. Shoot!”
I’ve always known I don’t really love the taste of cooked spinach, but I’ve had other meals I’ve thoroughly enjoyed such as the Florentine Turkey Meatloaf. Now I know that too much spinach is not my (nor Ben’s) cup of tea.
I found this recipe on Food alla Puttanesca. She left out the prosciutto and didn’t miss it, so I decided to also leave it out. I think that was a mistake as it maybe could have balanced out that spinach flavor for me a little more.
Did I mention I don’t like strong spinach flavor? 🙂
Next time I plan to use a different filling. Something with Italian sausage, onions, peppers and more sauce.
Giada’s Lasagna Rolls
Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg
Lasagna:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 ounces)
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Mix the ricotta, spinach, 1 cup Parmesan, prosciutto, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl
Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.
Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the bechamel sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish.
Lay out 4 lasagna noodles on a work surface, then spread about 3 tablespoons of ricotta mixture evenly over each noodle.
Starting at 1 end, roll each noodle like a jelly roll.
Lay the lasagna rolls seam side down, without touching, atop the bechamelsauce in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture.
Spoon 1 cup marinara over rolls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining marinara sauce in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat until hot, and serve alongside.
Source: Food alla Puttanesca, originally from the Food Network
Liz says
March 10, 2009 at 9:33 PMI made a version of these (also a Giada recipe) that were filled with shrimp. They were really good! Just another option since you aren’t a spinach lover!
Amanda says
March 10, 2009 at 10:06 PMThese look absolutely gorgeous.
Rina says
March 10, 2009 at 11:42 PMThese look great! I think I’d cut down on the spinach, as well. Not a big fan.
Melissa says
March 11, 2009 at 5:19 AMIt’s to bad you didn’t like the flavor, but they LOOK delicious!
brannyboilsover says
March 11, 2009 at 5:23 AMSorry you didn’t like the filling :-/ But it is good to learn the techniques for making the rolls and yours certainly look perfect.
mom says
March 11, 2009 at 5:53 AMOHHHHH…. I think I would love these. I’m printing this one off for sure 🙂
culinarycory says
March 11, 2009 at 7:24 AMI watched Giada make these on her show once. They looked amazing. I really like your camera angles. They really capture the layers well.
Jen says
March 11, 2009 at 8:22 AMI havent made lasagna rolls in a long time! I think I may need too! Yummy!!!
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
March 11, 2009 at 8:44 AMThese look great and there is no need to change one thing!! Looks so yummy!!!
Amy (Sing for your supper) says
March 11, 2009 at 10:33 AMThis is one of our favorites! You definitely should try it again with the prosciutto – it made the dish extra special in my opinion! Looks great!
ingrid says
March 11, 2009 at 10:47 AMI’ve seen similar recipes. It looks fun to make. The spinach won’t be an issue for me or the kiddos. I do know that I’ll need to cut back on the ricotta as they don’t care for it as much as other cheeses.
Thanks for sharing the recipe and your experience!
~ingrid
Ashley says
March 11, 2009 at 11:15 AMMmmmmmm… I’m so hungry now!
Kira says
March 11, 2009 at 12:15 PMAwww, sorry you didn’t like the spinach. I LOVE spinach, so obviously I like these a lot. I agree that the prosciutto would probably counteract that a bit.
mom says
March 11, 2009 at 2:35 PMHmmmm…. I left a comment here, but don’t see it….
kridabo says
March 11, 2009 at 8:02 PMFrozen spinach tastes a lot different from fresh spinach. I personally do not care for the taste or texture of frozen spinach in dishes and replace with fresh chopped spinach.
NAOmni says
March 11, 2009 at 9:35 PMThose look killer!
NAOmni
Alysia says
March 12, 2009 at 9:16 AMThey are quite photogenic.
Julie says
March 13, 2009 at 8:15 PMOoh..I’ve made those! I liked them (I’m okay with spinach). I found them more labor intensive than regular lasagna though. But very nice for a change of pace 🙂
Phil E. Drifter says
March 18, 2009 at 1:47 PMPhotoshopped. Look delicious though. I guess that makes them deliciousshopped.
mike says
March 18, 2009 at 2:36 PMI’d like to give Giada MY lasagna roll….
Em says
March 19, 2009 at 2:47 PMMMMMMMMMMMMMM they were so delicious! I was compliment thousands after making them… Props to you thank you!!! thank you !!! thank you!!!
Em says
March 19, 2009 at 2:50 PMsorry that should read complimented… oops! finger licking good!
brownmice says
April 21, 2009 at 1:13 AMlooks good. would the prosciutto have to browned before adding it to the rolls? thanks!
Pennies on a Platter says
April 21, 2009 at 4:16 PMHi brownmice,
No, the prosciutto does not need to be browned before adding to the rolls. 🙂
stiliano says
May 19, 2009 at 12:46 AMVery nice
thanks!!!
Alli says
October 15, 2011 at 3:19 PMMy fiance and I made these a few weeks ago! We both love pepperoni and he doesn’t think a meal is dinner without some sort of meat involved so I added pepperoni into the lasagna rolls. They turned out to be amazing! I suggest adding pepperoni next time 🙂
Nikki says
October 15, 2011 at 3:20 PMGreat idea, Allison!
Karyn says
March 22, 2016 at 1:41 PMComing from and Italian background my family love these
Christina says
June 19, 2016 at 11:57 AMI like to use spicy Italian sausage mixed with the ricotta and spinach. I use a lot of red sauce on the top before I bake and use extra cheese and it is a huge favorite with my family and friends
Nikki Gladd says
June 19, 2016 at 2:31 PMOoooh! I love all the “extra’s” 🙂 Thanks, Christina!