Creamy Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups with White Sauce and Parmesan
Learn how to make creamy chicken lasagna roll-ups with white sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. An easy baked pasta recipe.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Bake time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Pasta / Dinner
Cuisine: Italian / International
Creamy Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups with White Sauce and Parmesan
There are recipes that fill the entire kitchen with that comforting aroma of homemade food, and these creamy chicken lasagna roll-ups are exactly like that.
Instead of using traditional cannelloni tubes, this recipe uses lasagna sheets filled with creamy chicken, rolled individually and placed in a baking dish with a smooth white sauce.
Each roll-up is filled with tender shredded chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan. After being covered with white sauce and more cheese, the roll-ups go into the oven until the pasta is tender and the surface is lightly golden.
I like this recipe because it looks beautiful when it reaches the table, but the preparation is actually very simple.
It is perfect for a family dinner, a Sunday lunch, or whenever you want a creamy baked pasta dish without preparing something complicated.
And if you already have cooked chicken in the refrigerator, the recipe becomes even easier.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
- 500 g cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 200 g cream cheese or soft cream cheese
- 100 g shredded mozzarella
- 50 g grated Parmesan
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
For the White Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 500 ml milk
- 100 g cream cheese or soft cream cheese
- 50 g grated Parmesan
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- A small pinch of nutmeg
For Assembly
- 12 lasagna sheets
- 100 g shredded mozzarella
- 50 g grated Parmesan
- Butter or olive oil for greasing the baking dish
- Fresh rosemary for finishing, optional
How to Prepare the Creamy Chicken Filling
Start by preparing the chicken.
If you are using raw chicken breast, cook it until tender and completely cooked through. Let it cool slightly and then shred it.
If you already have leftover roasted or cooked chicken from another meal, you can use it. This is one of the things I like most about this recipe because it turns leftover chicken into a completely different dish.
I like to leave the chicken in small pieces instead of shredding it too finely. This gives the filling a better texture.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the chopped onion.
Sauté until soft and translucent.
Add the garlic and stir for a few seconds.
Add the shredded chicken.
Season with paprika, oregano, salt and black pepper.
Mix well and cook for a few minutes so the chicken absorbs the seasonings.
Turn off the heat.
Add the cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan.
Stir until you have a creamy and uniform filling.
Finish with the chopped parsley.
The filling should be creamy but not runny.
A Useful Kitchen Tip
Let the filling cool for a few minutes before assembling the lasagna roll-ups.
When the filling is very hot, the cheese becomes too soft and can make rolling difficult. A slightly cooled filling is much easier to spread over the lasagna sheets.
Prepare the White Sauce
While the chicken filling cools, prepare the sauce.
Melt the butter in a saucepan.
Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute.
The flour should cook gently without becoming too dark.
Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly with a whisk.
Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the cream cheese and stir until well combined with the sauce.
Add the Parmesan.
Season with salt, black pepper and a small pinch of nutmeg.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
The Ideal Consistency
For these chicken lasagna roll-ups, the white sauce should be creamy but still easy to spread.
You do not want an extremely thick sauce.
If your sauce becomes too thick, simply add a little more milk and stir until smooth.
Prepare the Lasagna Sheets
This is the part that makes the recipe different from traditional cannelloni.
Instead of using pasta tubes, we will use lasagna sheets and roll them around the chicken filling.
Cook the lasagna sheets according to the package instructions.
Once cooked, drain them carefully.
Place the sheets open on a clean surface or baking sheet.
Avoid overlapping them while they are still hot, as they may stick together.
Kitchen Tip
If you are worried about the sheets sticking together, you can lightly brush them with a small amount of olive oil.
This makes them easier to handle when it is time to add the filling.
How to Assemble the Lasagna Roll-Ups
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
Grease a baking dish with a little butter or olive oil.
Spread a thin layer of white sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
This first layer helps keep the pasta moist while it bakes.
Now take one lasagna sheet.
Spread a portion of the creamy chicken filling evenly over the surface.
Do not add a layer of filling that is too thick.
You want enough filling so that every bite has plenty of chicken and cheese, but the sheet still needs to be easy to roll.
Starting from one end, carefully roll up the lasagna sheet.
Place the roll-up in the baking dish with the seam side down.
Repeat the process with the remaining sheets and filling.
Arrange the roll-ups side by side.
Add the White Sauce
Once all the roll-ups are arranged in the baking dish, pour the remaining white sauce over them.
Spread gently so the sauce covers the tops of the roll-ups.
This keeps the pasta moist while cooking and provides the creamy texture we want.
This is one of the details that makes these creamy lasagna roll-ups different from simply baking lasagna sheets with filling.
Add the Cheese
Spread the mozzarella over the entire surface.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan on top.
The combination of the two cheeses creates a creamy layer underneath and a lightly golden topping on top.
If you enjoy a touch of fresh herbs, you can add a little rosemary after baking.
Bake the Lasagna Roll-Ups
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake at 190°C for approximately 20 minutes.
Then carefully remove the aluminum foil.
Return the baking dish to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the surface is lightly golden.
Watch the edges during the last few minutes of baking.
The goal is to have melted cheese and tender pasta without allowing the dish to become dry.
When ready, remove from the oven.
Let the roll-ups rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
This short resting time makes it easier to remove the roll-ups from the baking dish and helps keep the filling inside each one.
My Experience Making This Recipe
What I really like about these lasagna roll-ups is the way they combine the comfort of homemade lasagna with a slightly different presentation.
Instead of cutting a large lasagna into squares, you have individual roll-ups filled with creamy chicken.
They look beautiful on the plate, especially when the white sauce and melted cheese are still hot.
The filling is also very easy to adapt.
Sometimes I like to add spinach to the chicken mixture. On other occasions, I use leftover roasted chicken from another meal.
If you enjoy simple homemade recipes, it is worth saving this one because it can easily be adapted to the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
And when I am planning a complete meal, I like to keep the other dishes simple.
For a quick breakfast or brunch on another day, you can try Crispy Cottage Cheese Toast with Fried Egg and Chili Crisp. It is completely different from this pasta dish, but it is also an easy recipe where a few ingredients create plenty of flavor.
Tips for Perfect Lasagna Roll-Ups
Do Not Add Too Much Filling
It can be tempting to add plenty of filling, but too much makes it difficult to close the roll-ups.
A moderate layer is enough.
Let the Filling Cool Slightly
This makes the lasagna sheets easier to handle and prevents the cheese from becoming too soft.
Reserve Enough Sauce for the Top
The white sauce helps keep the pasta tender during cooking.
Cover During the First Part of Baking
The aluminum foil helps retain moisture.
Remove it near the end of baking so the cheese can melt and become lightly golden.
Let the Roll-Ups Rest
Wait a few minutes before serving.
This makes it much easier to remove the roll-ups without them falling apart.
What to Serve with Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups
Since these roll-ups are creamy and contain plenty of cheese, I prefer to serve them with simple side dishes.
Fresh Green Salad
A green salad with lettuce, tomatoes and a light lemon dressing adds freshness to the meal.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted zucchini, carrots, broccoli or cauliflower pair very well as a side dish.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the white sauce left on the plate.
If you enjoy easy pasta dishes, another option for another day is Garlic Pasta with Bacon – Easy, Quick and Full of Flavor. It is a much quicker pasta dish and works especially well when you do not want to prepare a baked dish.
Variations
Chicken and Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Add cooked and well-drained spinach to the chicken filling.
Spinach pairs very well with cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan.
Spinach and Ricotta Roll-Ups
For a meatless option, replace the chicken with ricotta and spinach.
Add Parmesan and mozzarella to make the filling even creamier.
Beef Lasagna Roll-Ups
Replace the chicken with seasoned ground beef.
Make sure the beef is fully cooked and not too wet before filling the pasta.
Three-Cheese Lasagna Roll-Ups
Use ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan for a simple vegetarian filling.
Tomato Sauce and White Sauce
For a different flavor, add a thin layer of tomato sauce underneath the white sauce.
The combination of tomato and creamy white sauce pairs very well with lasagna sheets.
Mushroom Lasagna Roll-Ups
Sautéed mushrooms can replace the chicken for another vegetarian variation.
Can I Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes.
This is one of the most convenient things about this recipe.
You can prepare the chicken filling, make the white sauce and assemble the roll-ups several hours before dinner.
Cover the baking dish and keep it in the refrigerator.
When you are ready to bake, remove the baking dish while the oven heats.
Since the dish will be cold, it may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
How to Store Leftovers
Let the leftovers cool slightly.
Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, heat individual portions until completely hot.
If the pasta seems a little dry, add a spoonful of white sauce or a small amount of milk before reheating.
Can I Freeze the Lasagna Roll-Ups?
Yes.
You can freeze the assembled roll-ups before baking or freeze individual portions after they are cooked.
If freezing before baking, cover the baking dish very well.
When you want to prepare them, thaw them in the refrigerator before placing them in the oven.
It is also possible to freeze individual cooked portions, which makes this recipe convenient for future meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cannelloni and lasagna roll-ups?
Traditional cannelloni uses tube-shaped pasta that is filled. Lasagna roll-ups use flat pasta sheets that are filled and rolled.
For this recipe, lasagna sheets work better with the dish shown.
Can I use fresh lasagna sheets?
Yes. Fresh lasagna sheets work very well and can make the rolling process easier.
Can I use leftover chicken?
Absolutely. Cooked or roasted chicken works very well.
Can I substitute the cream cheese?
Yes. Soft cream cheese, ricotta or another spreadable creamy cheese can be used, depending on the texture you want.
Why did my lasagna roll-ups fall apart?
The filling may have been too runny, the sheets may have been overcooked, or the roll-ups may have been handled before the resting time.
Letting the dish rest for a few minutes after baking helps.
Can I make this recipe without chicken?
Yes. Spinach with ricotta, mushrooms or a three-cheese filling are excellent alternatives.
A Simple Way to Make This Meal Special
You do not need a complicated meal to turn these creamy lasagna roll-ups into a special dinner.
Prepare the pasta, add a fresh salad and, if you like, some garlic bread.
That is enough.
The lasagna itself brings plenty of flavor and creaminess to the table.
And if you are looking for another fun chicken recipe for another meal, Chicken Taquitos with Pancake Batter – Easy, Crispy and Homemade are a great way to use chicken in a completely different preparation.
Tips for Storing and Preparing Ahead
If you know you will be busy at dinner time, prepare the roll-ups earlier in the day.
Keep the assembled baking dish covered in the refrigerator.
The sauce and filling can also be prepared separately a day ahead.
When you are ready to bake, assemble everything and place it in the oven.
This makes these easy chicken lasagna roll-ups especially useful for family gatherings, since much of the preparation can be done before the guests arrive.
These Creamy Chicken Lasagna Roll-Ups with White Sauce and Parmesan are a delicious way to turn simple lasagna sheets into something a little different.
The creamy chicken filling, tender pasta, white sauce and melted cheese work beautifully together in every roll-up.
It is the kind of homemade baked pasta that brings that comforting feeling without being difficult to prepare.
You can follow the recipe exactly as written or create your own version with spinach, ricotta, mushrooms, beef or other cheeses.
The important thing is to keep the filling creamy, use enough sauce and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving.
Save this recipe for your next family dinner, share it with someone who loves creamy pasta dishes, and try another homemade recipe from the blog at your next meal.
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