Rolled Lasagna Christmas Wreath

Lasagna is a family favorite. I make lasagna every holiday and family get togethers. The ingredients are traditional, with some healthy alternatives. The difference with this recipe is the presentation. Instead of layering the pasta, I roll it up. It tastes the same as layered, but rolled is a prettier presentation (and less messy).

You can make the rolled lasagna in a 13×9 inch baking dish, or a 12 inch round cake pan.

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Ingredients

• 1 box of uncooked lasagna noodle (18 count) (less for smaller pans)
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• (optional) 1 bl. ground beef (*healthy alternative – ground turkey)
• 1 (or 2) 24 oz. tomato sauce
• 2-3 tablespoons Italian seasoning or fresh herbs minced
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped, divided
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (*healthy alternative – fat free)
• 12 oz. whole milk Ricotta cheese (*healthy alternative – low fat)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 large egg

Wreath and Bow Ingredients

• Fresh Rosemary
• Handful of cherry tomatoes

Equipment

• 12 inch round cake pan (or 13×9 inch baking dish)
• Pot
• Mixing bowl
• Roll of plastic wrap
• Cooking spray
• Tin foil
• Cutting board and knife
• Small container for dipping sauce

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Prep time 30 mins
Bake time 60 mins
Rest time 15 mins

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350^o
• Heat a pot and add oil
• Add the chopped onion and sprinkle with salt, cook a few minutes on low
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds
• Add meat (if using) to the pot and mix with the onion and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned.
• Add the tomato sauce and herbs, and simmer on low
• When the sauce is ready, cool it
• Boil the lasagna noodles (use the package directions)
• When the noodles are cooked, drain and rinse
• On your counter, lay down 1 piece of parchment paper (large enough for a few noodles) and spray it slightly with cooking spray
• Place a layer of a few noodles on the paper, leaving room between noodles) and spray with cooking spray
• Place another piece of parchment paper on top of noodles
• Repeat with another layer of noodles, then paper
• In a bowl, mix together the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, and most of the parsley. Set aside.

Assemble for the Lasagna Wreath

• Spread a circle of sauce in a round (12 inch) cake pan, set aside
• Place a dollop of the cheese mixture on each of the top layer off noodle’s, and spread
• Place a dollop of sauce on the cheese and spread
• Roll each noodle away from you, and place the filled rolled noodle, seam side down, in the pan on top of the sauce in a circle
• Repeat until finished with 16 rolls leaving 2 noodles (removing the parchment paper when that layer is done)
• Cut the last 2 noodles long ways 2/3 width
• Place the noodles, over lapping, inside the circle (helps keep the cheese in the rolled noodles in place)
• Place a long piece (folded) of tin foil inside the circle (to keep the shape)
• Pour most of the sauce on top of the noodles, reserve some for dipping
• Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and parsley to top
• Cover with tin foil (tent the foil so it doesn’t touch the cheese)
• AT THIS POINT you can put it in the fridge to cook later, or continue below
• Bake covered for 45 minutes
• Remove foil and bake another 15 mins (or broil 5 minutes)
• Take it out if the oven and cool for about 15 minutes, remove all the tin foil
• While cooking, heat the dipping sauce
• Place the dipping sauce in the center

Assemble green Wreath and Bow

• Wreath
• Remove a few leaves from the bottom of the rosemary stems to make a skewer
• Slide a cherry tomato from the bottom up on the rosemary stem
• Add a ring of plain rosemary, inside the center, then add the skewered rosemary over them
• BOW
• Remove a few leaves from 2 rosemary stems to make skewers
• Slide 1 into the side of a cherry tomato, then slide the other on the opposite side
• Place the bow on the top of the noodles wreath
• Serve warm

Notes

For the rosemary wreath, find 1 rosemary stem with a sturdy stem and set aside to use last. If other stems are a bit weak, you can use the sturdy stem to make the hole, remove, and place the weaker stem in the hole. Use the sturdy one last

For the filling, for those that do not like ricotta cheese, these rolled up lasagnas can be made with out it. I do have a few family members who don’t like too much cheese, and they call this “Maureen’s Special Lasagna”. I always make one with and one without, so everyone is happy.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Please let me know if you make this.