Easy, Baked Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne Roll ups

Table of Contents

What Is Ricotta Cheese?

Ricotta, a creamy and versatile cheese, is a delightful addition to your baby's culinary journey.

Made from the whey protein left over from cheese production, ricotta is a wonderful source of calcium and protein for growing little ones. Its smooth texture and mild flavour make it is a great way to introduce solids to your baby.

Whether mixed into purees, spread on toast, or added to pasta dishes like this classic dish, a ricotta mixture adds a rich creaminess to baby's meals.

As a parent, you can take comfort in knowing that a ricotta cheese mixture is low in salt and free from artificial additives. With its gentle taste and nutrient-packed profile, ricotta is sure to be a hit with your little gourmet.

The Tomato Sauce Is Quick To Make!

Making a quick tomato sauce with tomato puree is a lifesaver when time is of the essence, and let’s face it, it always is!

Start by heating olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic powder and herbs. Stir the ingredients together and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse together.

This speedy tomato sauce is not only a convenient option, but it also guarantees a burst of tangy and rich flavours to elevate any pasta dish or pizza creation.

Is Pasta A Good Food Choice For My Baby?

Pasta dishes are a fantastic option for baby-led weaning due to their versatility and texture. As babies transition from purees to solid foods, pasta provides an excellent opportunity for self-feeding.

The soft yet firm texture of cooked pasta allows babies to easily grasp and practice their motor skills while exploring new flavours and shapes.

Moreover, pasta dishes can be customised according to a baby's preferences and nutritional needs.

From colourful vegetable-filled pastas to protein-packed options, such as lentil or chickpea pasta, see my Avocado pink pasta recipe for a lentil based recipe, it is a fun twist to regular pasta sauce!

This versatile food can be enriched with various ingredients, introducing babies to a wide range of nutrients.

With pasta dishes, babies can explore different tastes, textures, and shapes, making it an ideal choice for baby-led weaning.

The Benefits of Pasta For BLW

Spinach is a fantastic choice for introducing solid foods to your little one through baby led weaning.

Packed with essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamin C, spinach is a powerhouse green that promotes healthy growth and development.

Its delicate yet slightly earthy flavour makes it a versatile option for introducing different tastes to your baby's palate.

Whether steamed, sautéed, or blended into purees, spinach is a great source of fibre that aids digestion and supports a healthy immune system.

Baby led weaning with spinach not only encourages self-feeding but also introduces your child to a variety of textures and encourages them to explore new flavours from an early age.

So, add a handful of spinach to your baby's food such as this one and watch them develop a love for this vibrant and nutritious green leafy vegetable.

Why You Should Make This Recipe As A Busy Parent?

If you are in search of a delicious and satisfying vegetarian dish that is a crowd pleaser for the whole family, look no further than my baked spinach and ricotta lasagne roll up recipe.

With its mouth-watering combination of flavours and textures, this dish is sure to please even the most discerning taste buds, it is such an easy recipe, perfect for those busy weeknights.

I have your weeknight dinners covered! Packed with wholesome ingredients such as spinach, aromatic herbs, and a blend of cheeses, these roll-ups offer a nutritious and protein-rich meal option.

Not only are they a treat for the palate, but they also have a visually appealing presentation that will impress your baby/family.

The biggest reason that makes this recipe even more enticing is its versatility; you can customise the filling to your liking, adding your baby’s favourite veggies or experimenting with different seasonings.

Lastly, baked rather than fried, these roll-ups are a healthier alternative, making it an ideal choice for baby.

So, if you want to indulge in a delectable vegetarian delight that ticks all the boxes of taste, nutrition, and presentation, my baked vegetarian roll up recipe has got you covered.

Ingredient information

Tomato purée (tomato paste) - I always keep this in the fridge for when I need it! I use in so many last minute recipes!

Mixed herbs - An absolute staple in my cupboard as I use all the time in so many recipes! You could use Italian seasoning too, or in addition to the dried herbs fresh basil! The more the merrier.

Garlic powder - I like to always have garlic powder in my cupboard, it’s great if you don’t have any fresh to hand but you want to have the same taste!

Lasagne sheets - Lasagne sheets are another great staple to have as they can be used for so many recipes!

Ricotta cheese - I don’t use this cheese enough! Perfect with pasta! Get creative and you’ll see how great it is! You could also use cottage cheese too instead of ricotta.

Spinach - Frozen spinach is the way I go with spinach most of the time as the fresh spinach just doesn’t last long enough!

Mozzarella cheese - Pre packaged mozzarella is delicious to have on hand in the fridge!

Serving suggestion

This would be great served with some green vegetables such as broccoli or peas, you could even mash or puree these vegetables together to make a green mash.

Or the pasta bake roll ups can be served as they are as a complete meal as individual servings, its completely up to you! If you are serving as an individual roll, you can serve them whole from 6 months old.

Why not try a strawberry dessert or blackberry cheesecake for dessert.

Storage instructions

The Ricotta roll ups can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container.

If you wanted to freeze the lasagne, you will need to make sure that the lasagne has cooled down to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before transferring to either a freezer bag or airtight container.

Ensure that the bag/airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container.

To defrost the lasagne, leave it in the fridge overnight and make sure that it is fully defrosted, before re heating.

To reheat, place the defrosted lasagne in a preheated oven 180C or 350F and reheat for 15 minutes.

Once the lasagne has been defrosted you will not be able to reheat or re freeze.

Equipment used to help with this recipe

Muffin tray - A non-stick muffin pan that will easily clean any spills from the muffin cases. You will need one of these to easily hold the muffin cases.

Silicone cups - I love reusable kitchen stuff! These silicone muffin cases are dishwasher and freezer safe and can be used in the oven up to 230 degrees C! Ideal for individual baby portions.

Saucepans -So many pan sets out there but I particularly like to use pans with a non-stick surface for ease of cleaning and ones that are suitable for different types of hob surface.

Recipe | Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne Roll Ups

Ingredients

Makes 6 rolls

Tomato Sauce

• 4 tablespoons tomato purée

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoon mixed herbs or oregano

• 100ml hot water

  Lasagne Roll Ups and Ricotta Filling

• 2 lasagne sheets, soaked in hot water with a little olive oil

• 6 teaspoons ricotta cheese

• 1 teaspoon mixed herbs

• 50g cooked spinach

• 100g grated mozzarella

• Drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 180 C or 350F, and prepare your muffin tin with 6 silicone cups, on a baking sheet.

• Start by adding all your tomato sauce ingredients into a saucepan and stir on a medium high heat. Heat through for a few minutes and set aside.

• Soak the dried lasagne sheets in a large bowl or medium bowl with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent them sticking together for approx 10 minutes until they are soft.

• Take one sheet and place on a clean work surface, and spoon 3 teaspoons of the ricotta cheese mixture and spread evenly in the centre of the pasta.

• Sprinkle over the mixed herbs and spinach and roll the lasagne sheet from one side to the other.

• Repeat with the other lasagne sheet, and cut each roll into 3, so you will have 6 rolls.

• Place 2 teaspoons of the tomato sauce into each silicone cup followed by an individual roll in each cup.

• Sprinkle each roll with mozzarella (and black pepper if you like) and pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown!

Hope you and your family enjoy!

Recipe notes

You could absolutely make this recipe vegan if you wanted to. You would just need to switch out the ricotta for a vegan ricotta for the cheese filling, and the mozzarella for a vegan alternative .

You could also use the recipe to make a small lasagne for 2 if you decide you didn’t want to roll and cut the lasagne sheets!

This recipe is great for portion control, as the individual portions can be stored in the fridge or freezer for a meal for when you need it.

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