Description
Olive Garden’s Lasagna Fritta is a crispy, golden fried appetizer featuring rolled lasagna noodles stuffed with a rich blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses seasoned with Italian herbs. Each roll is breaded and fried to perfection, served warm over marinara sauce with an optional Alfredo drizzle, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, making it an irresistible Italian-American treat perfect for parties or a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Rolls
- 8 lasagna noodles (cooked and laid flat)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Breading and Frying
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten, for breading)
- 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Serving
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (warmed)
- 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce (optional for drizzling)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, one egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Lasagna Rolls: Lay cooked lasagna noodles flat. Spread about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cheese filling onto each noodle, then roll each noodle tightly. Slice each roll in half crosswise to create two shorter pieces, and place them in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Set Up Breading Station: Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and Italian-style breadcrumbs in a third bowl. This setup will ensure an even and crisp breading on each piece.
- Bread the Lasagna Fritta: Take each chilled lasagna piece, coat it first with flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Make sure each piece is evenly covered.
- Fry Until Golden and Crispy: Heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded lasagna fritta pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve Warm: Place the fried lasagna fritta pieces over warmed marinara sauce. Drizzle with Alfredo sauce if desired, garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese for an appealing finish. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, cook the lasagna fritta in an air fryer at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, and spray with oil before cooking.
- You can prepare and freeze the rolled lasagna pieces ahead of time and fry them directly from frozen when ready to serve.
- Make sure oil temperature is maintained at 350°F to ensure crispy texture without absorbing excess oil.
- Customize the filling spices to your preference by adding garlic powder or crushed red pepper for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
