How do you spice up bland lasagna?

You can add fresh or dried herbs, red pepper flakes, or black pepper to flavor fresh ricotta . Eggs are also a common addition to the ricotta portion as they add richness and help with the structure of the dish once baked. Now that you have generously seasoned each part of a lasagna, it's time to layer it up.

What goes first in lasagna noodle or sauce?

Don't start layering noodles until you have some sauce underneath , whether it's meat sauce or marinara. The sauce acts like a barrier between the noodles and the pan, so that the noodles don't stick to the bottom of the pan as they bake.

How to spice up lasagne?

Lasagne with peppers and courgettes Chopped peppers and diced courgettes, cooked down slowly into a rich, tomatoey meat sauce , will give this robust dish an even more Italian flavour. Why not throw in some oregano or dried Italian seasoning at the same time for an intense herby flavour?

How to add more flavor to lasagna?

11 Ways To Add More Flavor To Your Homemade Lasagna Diversify your sausage. Artisteer/Getty Images. ... Sswap out that sausage for seafood. ... Reconsider the veggies you're using. ... Don't use the same exact cheese. ... Try ricotta cheese. ... Use no-boil noodles. ... Test out white lasagna. ... Consider cinnamon your secret ingredient. More items... Feb 26, 2023

Do you bake lasagna covered or uncovered?

In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, this homemade lasagna should be perfectly baked in about 50 minutes ( 30-40 minutes covered, 5-10 minutes uncovered ).

How many layers should a lasagna have?

Betony Kitchen says you could make lasagna with as little as two layers for a quick lasagna that doesn't take long to bake. Many, however, would consider this skimping. Most recipes you'll find for lasagna call for a minimum of three layers, which seems to be the universal standard.

Do you add pasta sauce before or after?

First, in authentic Italian cuisine, the sauce is always tossed with the pasta before it ever hits the plate . Just before the sauce is done cooking, the hot pasta is added to the saucepan. Generally speaking, we recommend cooking the pasta in the sauce together for about 1-2 minutes.

How do you make bland pasta taste better?

Herbs and Spices: Add a variety of herbs and spices to enhance flavor . Common choices include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Fresh herbs can bring a burst of freshness to the sauce. Tomato Paste: Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato.

How do you spruce up lasagna?

Cilantro, oregano, dried parsley and red pepper flakes can all add a delicious flavor! 3. Swap the pasta layers for veggies! Eggplant and zucchini make for a fun twist, but still offer enough sturdiness and texture to hold it together.

Why does my lasagne taste bland?

The secret to getting flavour into lasagne is in the meat sauce . I mix beef and lamb mince and make tomato sauce by liquidising tinned tomatoes (cherry are best) .. adding them to finely chopped fried onions, salt, pepper and herbs. Don't skimp on the seasoning.

How do you spice up boring pasta?

"I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried ," Montillo said. "Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces."

Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe – Lasagna noodles are rolled around a filling of chicken, beans, and bell pepper and topped with a cheesy, aromatic sauce. These lasagna roll-ups are a delicious twist of an Italian favorite with the zesty essence of Southwestern flavors!

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Why We Love This Southwest Lasagna Recipe

I know just how difficult it can be to come up with new and delicious dinner ideas that your family is guaranteed to love. This cheesy Southwest lasagna is a bold, Tex-Mex take on classic lasagna that the whole family will love!

This festive combination is bold and comforting. The filling is made of chicken, beans, bell peppers, green onions, cheese, and taco seasoning, while the sauce is a mixture of cream cheese and red enchilada sauce for a bold yet creamy flavor!

Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls are easy to make, especially if you use leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken! Throw in whatever beans and veggies you have on hand, and cover it with some more cheese and you will have a seriously amazing dinner in no time.

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Ingredients You Need

Dried Lasagna Noodles – One box will fit a 9×13 baking tray
Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce – This gives it a southwest flavor
Cream Cheese – To make the sauce thick and creamy
Chopped Cooked Chicken – This is great for using up leftover chicken, also try rotisserie chicken!
Black Beans – Make sure that they are drained well
Chopped Bell Pepper – I like to use two different colored peppers
Garlic Cloves – Finely minced
Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese – This will be divided between the filling and the topping, feel free to use mozzarella cheese if that is what you have on hand
Chopped Scallions – Adds in a nice zesty crunch and some coloring
Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Packet – Brings in the Tex Mex flavoring

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How To Make Southwest Lasagna Roll Ups

Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls are simple to make in just a few easy steps!

Start by cooking lasagna noodles to al dente. Drain them well and lay them out on a clean tea towel.
Puree the red enchilada sauce with cream cheese. The enchilada sauce blends perfectly with the cream cheese, giving it a perky taste.
Mix black beans, cooked chicken, peppers, scallions, cheese, and Old El Paso Taco Seasoning together. Roll the mixture into the lasagna noodles.
Then pour the sauce over the top and bake!

As the Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls bake, the cheese sauce works its way into the rolls to make them extra rich and saucy! Because of the cheese and prepared enchilada sauce in this recipe, there is no need to add any extra salt.

Pro Tip: If the cheese is starting to get too toasty on the top, cover the baking dish with foil!

Get the Complete Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

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Serving Suggestions

Easy lasagna roll ups can be served on their own or with a variety of side dishes!

Serve this cozy dish with Classic Garlic Bread, Mexican Street Corn Salad, Brazilian Chopped Salad, or Crunchy Beet and Carrot Slaw.

You can also serve these lasagna enchiladas with refried beans with homemade queso and salsa!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this be made the day before and put in the fridge?

Absolutely! You can prep these cheesy Southwestern lasagna rolls ups all the way up to baking, then cover and refrigerate for several days. Straight from the refrigerator, the baking time will be closer to 40-45 minutes.

How long can leftovers last in the fridge?

When they are stored in an airtight container, these rolls can last 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

Do the leftovers freeze well?

Yes, this is a great freezer recipe. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Place it in the fridge the night before you want to serve it, then bake it in the oven to reheat.

Is this dish spicy?

The spice in this dish comes from the red enchilada sauce and the taco seasoning, neither of which is that spicy. If you like a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the filling!

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Can I use a different protein?

Yes! Try adding shredded pork or ground beef to this recipe for a similar texture. You can also add pre-cooked ground beef or ground turkey but this will add a bit of moisture so the lasagna will be saucier!

Can I add extra vegetables?

Sure! Consider mixing in chopped zucchini, kale, or spinach.

Can you boil oven-ready lasagna noodles for roll ups?

Yes, in order to get the oven-ready noodles soft enough to roll up, you can boil them until al dente!

Can I make these lasagna roll ups vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can simply omit the chicken and add extra beans for vegetarian southwest lasagna rolls, or add in some diced tofu for some extra protein!

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Other Great Dinner Recipes

5-Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Chili Recipe
Keto Lasagna Roll-Ups Recipe (Made With Zucchini!)
Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake Recipe
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel (Casserole Recipe)
Best Vegetarian Pot Pie Recipe
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Best Hamburger Patty Recipe

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Ole El Paso. All opinions are my own.

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Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls Recipe – Lasagna noodles are rolled around a filling of chicken, beans and bell pepper and topped with a cheesy, aromatic sauce. These lasagna roll ups are a delicious twist of an Italian favorite with the zesty essence of Southwestern flavors!

Servings: 12 rolls

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

1 pound dried lasagna noodles (1 box)
19 ounces Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce (1 can)
8 ounces cream cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken (great for using up leftovers)
15 ounces black beans, drained (1 can)
1 cup chopped bell pepper, (heaping) I used two colors
2 cloves garlic minced
2 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/2 cups chopped scallions
1 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Packet

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coata 9 x 13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set a large pot of salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked to al dente, lay them out on a clean tea towel.
Meanwhile, place the Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce in the blender and add the cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Pour half of the cheese sauce into the baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken, black beans, bell peppers, garlic, 2 cups shredded cheese, scallions, and taco seasoning. Spread the mixture evenly over 12 lasagna noodles. Roll eachnoodle, tucking bits back into the rolls if they fall out. Place the rolls in the baking dish. Once all the rolls are in the dish, pour the remaining sauce over the top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro if desired.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days!

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll, Calories: 389kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 632mg, Potassium: 320mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1165IU, Vitamin C: 17.9mg, Calcium: 196mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Author: Sommer Collier

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