Creamy Shrimp and Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups: The Ultimate Seafood Comfort Food
Imagine a dinner that looks like it came from a five-star Italian trattoria but was made right in your own kitchen. These Creamy Shrimp and Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups are exactly that. This dish is a stunning visual masterpiece—elegant spirals of tender pasta filled with rich ricotta and earthy spinach, hugging a succulent, juicy shrimp in the center, all bathed in a luxurious creamy tomato rosé sauce.
Unlike a traditional lasagna, which can be messy to slice and serve, these lasagna roll-ups offer perfect portion control and a sophisticated presentation. The combination of sweet, tender shrimp with the savory cheese blend and the slight heat of red pepper flakes creates a flavor profile that is truly irresistible. Whether you are planning a romantic date night dinner or looking for a gourmet family meal, this recipe delivers high-end flavor with surprisingly simple preparation.
The Ingredients: The Symphony of Flavors
To create the perfect bite, every ingredient plays a crucial role. Here is what you need to build this seafood pasta masterpiece:
- Lasagna Noodles: The foundation of the dish. We use ruffled edges for texture and aesthetic appeal. They act as the vessel to hold our creamy filling.
- Jumbo Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined): The star of the show. Using jumbo shrimp ensures they remain plump and juicy even after baking. They provide a sweet, meaty contrast to the soft cheese.
- Ricotta Cheese: The base of the filling. It provides a fluffy, mild, and creamy texture that binds the other ingredients together.
- Frozen Spinach (Thawed & Squeezed Dry): Adds a pop of color, earthy flavor, and essential nutrients. It cuts through the richness of the cheese.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Used both inside the roll for that classic “cheese pull” and on top for a golden, bubbly crust.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty, and nutty depth that elevates the ricotta mixture.
- Egg: The binder. It prevents the cheese filling from leaking out of the rolls while baking.
- Creamy Tomato (Rosé) Sauce: You can use a high-quality jarred vodka sauce or mix your favorite marinara with heavy cream. This orange-hued sauce bridges the gap between the acidity of tomatoes and the richness of the cheese.
- Garlic & Herbs: Fresh garlic, basil, and parsley bring aromatic freshness.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of heat to wake up the palate and cut through the creaminess.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Shrimp Lasagna Roll-Ups
Follow these steps to achieve the perfect balance of texture and flavor.
- Prepare the Pasta and Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles until they are just al dente (usually 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions). Do not overcook them, or they will tear when you roll them. Drain and lay them flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking. - Create the Ricotta Spinach Filling
While the pasta cooks, prepare the filling. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and the dried spinach. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. - Prep the Shrimp
Pat your shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder. Chef’s Note: If your shrimp are very large, you can give them a quick 1-minute sear in a pan to ensure they are fully cooked after baking, but raw usually works fine for 25 minutes of baking. - Assemble the Rolls
This is the fun part!
- Lay a lasagna noodle flat.
- Spread a generous layer of the ricotta spinach mixture along the entire length of the noodle.
- Place 2-3 shrimp (depending on size) along the noodle, or place one large shrimp right at the end where you begin rolling so it ends up in the center (as seen in the image).
- Gently roll the noodle up. Do not roll too tightly, or the filling will squeeze out.
- Bake to Perfection
Spread about 1 cup of your creamy tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Place the rolls seam-side down into the dish, nesting them into the sauce. Ladle the remaining sauce over the rolls, ensuring the pasta edges are covered so they don’t dry out. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. - Garnish and Serve
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley, basil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for that chef-quality finish visible in the photo.
Why This Recipe is Loved
This dish is a crowd-favorite because it reinvents a classic. It takes the comfort of lasagna but swaps the heavy meat sauce for a lighter, sophisticated seafood and spinach combination. The texture interplay is incredible—soft pasta, creamy cheese, and the firm snap of the shrimp. Plus, the individual roll-up presentation makes plating easy and elegant, ensuring every guest gets the perfect ratio of sauce, pasta, and filling.
Pro Tips for Perfect Lasagna Roll-Ups
- Dry Your Spinach: This is the most critical tip. Spinach holds a lot of water. After thawing, squeeze it in a clean kitchen towel until it is bone dry. Excess water will make your filling runny and your sauce watery.
- Don’t Overstuff: It’s tempting to load up on cheese, but overstuffing makes the rolls difficult to handle and messy to eat.
- Sauce Coverage: Ensure the edges of the noodles are touched by the sauce before baking. Exposed noodles can become hard and crunchy in the oven.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble this dish up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge, then just pop it in the oven (add 10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking from cold).
Serving Suggestions
To turn this into a complete feast, pair your Shrimp Lasagna Roll-Ups with: - Garlic Bread: Essential for mopping up that delicious creamy rosé sauce.
- A Crisp Green Salad: Arugula with a lemon vinaigrette provides the perfect acidic counterpoint to the rich, cheesy pasta.
- White Wine: A glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with the shrimp and creamy sauce.
The Verdict
There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling a bubbling dish of Shrimp and Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups out of the oven. It is a dish that speaks of love, comfort, and culinary flair. By using fresh ingredients and following these simple steps, you can elevate your weeknight dinner into a restaurant-quality experience. Don’t settle for ordinary pasta tonight—try this recipe and watch it become an instant family favorite.
Would you like me to generate a shopping list organized by grocery store aisle to make preparing this meal even easier?