Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups

Featured in Satisfying Main Courses.

Lasagna noodles are filled with chicken, black beans, bell peppers, scallions, and zesty taco seasoning, then rolled and nestled in a creamy blended enchilada sauce with melted shredded cheese. This dish offers a hearty and flavorful twist on classic lasagna with bold Southwestern flair. It bakes up with a bubbly, cheesy topping and finishes with fresh scallions or cilantro. Perfect for a crowd, these roll ups can be made ahead, stored, or frozen for convenience, while delivering satisfying flavor in every bite.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Fri, 23 May 2025 14:46:32 GMT
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A plate of food with tomatoes and peppers. | gracefulflavors.com

Cheesy Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups are my answer when I want all the comfort of classic lasagna but crave a Tex-Mex twist. These roll ups pack cooked chicken, bell peppers, black beans, and gooey cheese into tender noodles, all smothered in a creamy enchilada sauce. It is a dish that brings everyone to the table fast and disappears even faster.

My family lights up when they spot these on the dinner table. The first time I made this, I used up some leftover grilled chicken and now it is my go-to when I need a crowd-pleaser that feels a little special.

Ingredients

  • Dried lasagna noodles: provide a sturdy base that rolls beautifully and soaks up the sauce. Look for noodles with a smooth texture for the best results
  • Red enchilada sauce: brings zesty warmth and helps meld all the flavors. A good quality sauce goes a long way here
  • Cream cheese: gives the sauce its creamy body and mild tang. I like using full-fat for extra richness
  • Cooked chicken: adds satisfying protein. Leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken works great
  • Black beans: are hearty and offer extra fiber. Rinse well for less sodium
  • Chopped bell peppers: deliver sweet crunch and color. Use a mix of red and yellow for extra visual pop
  • Garlic: brings underlying savory depth. Fresh cloves make all the difference
  • Shredded Mexican blend cheese: melts best. Look for bags that list cheddar and Monterey Jack as the first ingredients
  • Scallions: give bright flavor and a little fresh bite
  • Taco seasoning packet: makes putting things together a breeze. I look for blends without too much salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Boil the Noodles:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions. This keeps the pasta tender but sturdy enough to roll
Prep the Sauce:
In a blender, combine enchilada sauce with the cream cheese. Blend until smooth and silky so the sauce coats every noodle completely
Sauce the Baking Dish:
Pour half of the blended sauce into the bottom of your greased baking dish. This prevents sticking and infuses bottoms of the roll ups with flavor
Make the Filling:
In a big bowl, mix together chopped cooked chicken, drained black beans, diced bell peppers, minced garlic, two cups of shredded cheese, sliced scallions, and all the taco seasoning. Combine until everything is evenly coated
Fill and Roll the Lasagna:
Lay out each noodle on a clean tea towel. Spoon a generous line of filling along each noodle’s length and gently roll up from one end to the other. Tuck stray filling back in as you go so nothing is wasted
Arrange and Top:
Place each filled roll seam side down in the sauced dish. Pour the remaining enchilada-cream cheese sauce over the top to blanket the roll ups
Bake and Finish:
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the sauce bubbles and everything is hot through. Scatter the last of the shredded cheese over the top and bake for another few minutes to melt. Garnish with more scallions or fresh cilantro for color
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A plate of food with a white plate. | gracefulflavors.com

I always look forward to adding the bell peppers. Their sweetness pops among the cheese and sauce and reminds me of summer taco nights with family. Rolling up noodles together with my kids is a kitchen memory I treasure

Storage Tips

Store cooled roll ups in an airtight container in the fridge and they will stay fresh and flavorful for three to five days. For longer storage freeze roll ups individually or in a covered dish and they will keep for up to three months. Before reheating always let frozen roll ups thaw overnight in the fridge to keep the texture just right

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap the chicken for cooked turkey or even ground beef if that’s what you have on hand. If you are looking for a meatless version try roasted sweet potato chunks or extra beans instead of chicken. For cheese lovers add a bit of pepper jack for even more kick. Gluten free noodles can also work here if you watch them carefully to avoid overcooking

Serving Suggestions

Serve these lasagna roll ups with a simple green salad tossed in lime vinaigrette or with crunchy tortilla chips on the side. They also pair beautifully with sautéed corn or a bright salsa if you want to double down on the Southwest flavors. I have brought these to potlucks and cut them in half so everyone can grab a taste

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A white plate with a slice of food on it. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural and Historical Context

This recipe is an American-born mashup that honors both Italian and Southwestern traditions. The style of rolling lasagna harkens back to classic manicotti but swapping marinara for enchilada sauce creates something entirely new. Meals like this show how food traditions blend and evolve in home kitchens across the country

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use leftover chicken for the filling?

Yes, cooked leftover chicken works well. Chop or shred it to evenly distribute in the filling mixture.

→ Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?

Absolutely. You can assemble the roll ups ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow extra baking time from cold.

→ Which cheeses work best for the topping?

A Mexican blend melts smoothly, but Monterey Jack or cheddar are flavorful alternatives for a golden, cheesy finish.

→ Can these roll ups be frozen?

Yes, assemble and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake when ready to serve.

→ Are there vegetarian alternatives for the filling?

Swap chicken for additional beans, sautéed mushrooms, or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian-friendly option.

→ How spicy is this dish?

The flavor is mild and savory. For extra heat, add diced jalapeño or use a spicier enchilada sauce.

Southwest Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna roll ups with chicken, beans, veggies, and a creamy enchilada sauce for bold Tex-Mex flavor.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Yield: 12 Servings (12 roll ups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta

01 450 g dried lasagna noodles

→ Sauce

02 540 g red enchilada sauce
03 225 g cream cheese

→ Filling

04 225 g cooked chicken, chopped
05 425 g canned black beans, drained
06 150 g bell pepper, chopped (mixed colors)
07 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 200 g shredded Mexican blend cheese
09 50 g scallions, chopped
10 28 g taco seasoning

→ Topping

11 75 g shredded Mexican blend cheese
12 Chopped scallions or fresh cilantro (optional garnish)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 175°C. Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm baking dish with nonstick spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 02

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and lay noodles flat on a clean tea towel to prevent sticking.

Step 03

In a blender, combine enchilada sauce and cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Spread half the sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 04

In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped chicken, black beans, bell pepper, minced garlic, 200 g shredded cheese, scallions, and taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly.

Step 05

Distribute the filling equally among the 12 cooked lasagna noodles. Roll each noodle up, securing filling as needed, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Step 06

Pour remaining cream cheese enchilada sauce over the roll ups. Cover with foil and bake for 30–35 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 75 g cheese, and bake uncovered for 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Step 07

Garnish with chopped scallions or fresh cilantro as desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
  2. For freezer storage, wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven.
  3. For advance preparation, assemble and refrigerate unbaked roll ups for up to two days. Increase baking time by 5-10 minutes if chilled.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot
  • 33 x 23 cm baking dish
  • Blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tea towel
  • Aluminium foil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, cream cheese)
  • Contains gluten (lasagna noodles)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 389
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 18 g