Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe

Published by Ilyas, Date :

April 8, 2025

Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna Roll-Ups are a delightful and unique twist on traditional lasagna, featuring individual rolls of pasta stuffed with creamy chicken, a blend of cheeses, and vibrant pesto. All of this is enveloped in a smooth white sauce and baked to golden perfection. The dish offers a rich, flavorful comfort meal with the convenience of individual portions, making it perfect for family dinners or impressing guests on special occasions. With the combination of gooey cheese, tender chicken, and aromatic pesto, it’s a dish that will surely become a favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna Roll-Ups are everything you love about lasagna but with an elegant and easy-to-serve twist. These roll-ups are bursting with flavor from the rich, creamy sauce, melted cheeses, and fresh pesto. They are simple to assemble compared to traditional lasagna, yet still deliver all the hearty and comforting qualities you expect from this classic dish. The roll-ups bake beautifully in one pan, making clean-up a breeze. With customizable options like adding spinach or using a shortcut with store-bought Alfredo sauce, this dish is perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. If you love creamy pasta dishes with a bit of herbaceous flair, these roll-ups will be a hit at your dinner table.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Lasagna noodles
Cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works wonderfully)
Ricotta cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese
Pesto (store-bought or homemade)
Cream cheese or heavy cream
Garlic (minced)
Milk
Butter
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats up, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain them and lay them flat on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Chicken Pesto Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan, and pesto. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly until evenly combined.
Make the Cream Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté it for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, stir in the cream cheese or heavy cream until completely melted. Gradually whisk in the milk to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Roll-Ups: Spread a thin layer of the cream sauce over the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Take each lasagna noodle and spoon an even amount of the chicken pesto filling along its length. Carefully roll up the noodle, ensuring the seam is on the bottom to prevent it from unrolling during baking. Place each rolled-up noodle in the baking dish, making sure they are packed closely together.
Top with Sauce and Cheese: Once all the lasagna rolls are in the dish, pour the remaining cream sauce over the top of the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the roll-ups.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy: Allow the roll-ups to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, if desired.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe yields 6 servings (about 2 roll-ups per person).
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Variations

Spinach Addition: For a nutritional boost, add some chopped spinach into the chicken pesto filling. It adds a lovely color and flavor.
Alfredo Base: If you’re short on time, you can use a jar of Alfredo sauce instead of making the cream sauce from scratch.
Low-Carb Version: To make the dish more diet-friendly, you can replace the lasagna noodles with thin slices of zucchini or eggplant.
Spicy Kick: For those who like a bit of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into the filling to give it a spicy edge.
Cheesy Upgrade: For an extra rich cheese flavor, consider adding provolone or fontina cheese into the mix for a more complex flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: To reheat, place the roll-ups in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes until heated through, or you can microwave them in 1-minute intervals until warm.
Freeze: To freeze, assemble the roll-ups in a foil tray, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, bake from frozen, covered, for 45-50 minutes, uncovering for the last 10 minutes to allow the top to brown.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the roll-ups up to 24 hours before baking. Just refrigerate them and bake when you’re ready to serve.
What type of pesto should I use?
While basil pesto is the traditional choice, you can get creative with sun-dried tomato pesto or spinach pesto for unique flavors.
Can I use no-boil noodles?
No-boil noodles typically don’t roll as well as traditional lasagna noodles. Stick with regular noodles for the best results.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, these roll-ups freeze well. You can either freeze them before baking or after they’re baked. Be sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.
What should I serve with these lasagna roll-ups?
A crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables are great accompaniments to balance out the richness of this dish.
Can I use cream instead of milk?
Yes! You can replace the milk with heavy cream for a richer, more indulgent sauce. Just reduce the amount slightly to maintain the right consistency.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the chicken and replace it with roasted vegetables, sautéed mushrooms, or even a mix of both for a hearty vegetarian version.
How do I prevent the roll-ups from falling apart?
Don’t overfill the noodles, and make sure to lay them flat on a baking sheet right after boiling to keep them from sticking together.
What cheeses melt best in this recipe?
Mozzarella is perfect for meltiness, while Parmesan provides a rich flavor. Ricotta adds creaminess, creating a balanced texture when combined.
Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?
Yes, you can swap cottage cheese for ricotta. Just blend it for a smoother texture, and use it in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute.

Conclusion

These Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna Roll-Ups are a delightful twist on traditional lasagna, offering all the cheesy, garlicky comfort in an easy-to-serve, individual format. Whether you’re looking to impress guests, prepare an easy weeknight meal, or make a dish ahead of time for a busy day, this recipe is a versatile and delicious option. The combination of creamy chicken, mozzarella, and pesto in tender lasagna noodles is sure to make this a favorite in your recipe rotation. Enjoy the creamy goodness and the herbaceous kick of pesto with every bite!

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