Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella
Rolled fresh pasta filled with rich Bolognese ragù and creamy ricotta, baked to golden perfection with melted mozzarella on top. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 80 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 sheets, about 8x10 inches each fresh pasta sheets
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 small, finely diced carrot
- 1, finely diced celery stalk
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp, freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups, for baking tomato sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped small yellow onion, 1 finely diced small carrot, and 1 finely diced celery stalk; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 lb ground beef and 1/2 lb ground pork, breaking up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine and cook until mostly evaporated, 3 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 30 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 7: In a bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1 large egg.
- Step 8: Lay one fresh pasta sheet on a clean surface. Spread a thin layer of the bolognese sauce over it (about 1/4 cup), then dollop and evenly spread 2 tbsp of the ricotta mixture on top.
- Step 9: Roll the pasta sheet tightly into a log. Repeat with remaining sheets and filling.
- Step 10: Spread 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the rotoli seam side down in the dish.
- Step 11: Spoon remaining bolognese sauce over the rotoli, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella on top.
- Step 12: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Step 13: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (30 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Bolognese Rotolo with Ricotta and Mozzarella?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.