Deconstructed Lasagna Cupcakes
These Deconstructed Lasagna Cupcakes are a delightful twist on traditional lasagna, combining the rich flavors of classic Italian cuisine in a fun and portable cupcake form. Perfect for entertaining, they can be dressed up for a sophisticated dinner party or made simple for family-friendly meals. The versatility of fillings allows for endless creativity—while I love using seasoned hamburger meat, feel free to explore options like sautéed spinach, spicy sausage, or roasted vegetables. Customizable and easy to assemble, these cupcakes can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving. A sprinkle of fresh basil and a burst of cherry tomato on top add a touch of elegance to every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pasta sauce
favorite (to taste)
Ground beef (hamburger meat)
1 lb (cooked and drained)
Wonton wrappers
8 (squared to fit cupcake molds)
Mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (grated)
Parmesan cheese
3 ounces (grated)
Ricotta cheese
4 ounces (optional half reserved for frosting)
Cherry tomatoes
8 (for garnish)
Small basil leaves
8 (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a skillet, cook the hamburger meat over medium heat until browned, making sure to season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Drain excess fat and set aside.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses with the ricotta. Set aside half of the ricotta for optional frosting.
4
Prepare a cupcake pan by lining each mold with a square wonton wrapper, gently pressing them into the shape of cupcakes.
5
Start layering each cupcake by adding a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture at the bottom, followed by a layer of the cooked hamburger, and a drizzle of your favorite pasta sauce.
6
Continue layering until you reach the top of the cupcake mold, repeating the sequence (wonton, cheese, meat, sauce) until you've created about 6 layers, finishing with a layer of sauce on top.
7
Sprinkle the reserved mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top of each cupcake to create a delicious melted crust.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. For an elegant touch, pipe the reserved ricotta cheese on top and garnish with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
10
Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Deconstructed Lasagna Cupcakes?
They are a fun and portable twist on traditional lasagna that layers classic Italian flavors into a cupcake mold.
What oven temperature is needed for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How should the ground beef be prepared?
Cook the hamburger meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned, season it, and drain the excess fat.
What cheeses are included in the cheese mixture?
The mixture consists of grated mozzarella, grated parmesan, and ricotta cheese.
Can the ricotta cheese be used for decoration?
Yes, you can reserve half of the ricotta cheese to use as a frosting or garnish on top of the baked cupcakes.
What is used as the crust for these cupcakes?
Square wonton wrappers are used to line the cupcake molds and create the layers.
How do you fit the wonton wrappers into the pan?
Gently press the square wonton wrappers into the shape of the cupcake molds.
What is the first step in layering the cupcakes?
Start by adding a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture at the bottom of the wonton-lined mold.
What are the subsequent layers after the cheese?
Follow the cheese with a layer of cooked hamburger and a drizzle of pasta sauce.
How many layers should each cupcake have?
Repeat the sequence of wonton, cheese, meat, and sauce until you have created about 6 layers.
What should be the final layer before adding the topping cheese?
The layering sequence should finish with a layer of pasta sauce on top.
What is sprinkled on top of the cupcakes before baking?
Sprinkle reserved mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top to create a melted crust.
How long do the lasagna cupcakes need to bake?
Bake them for approximately 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do you know when the cupcakes are finished baking?
They are done when the cheese on top is bubbly and has turned a golden brown color.
Is there a cooling period required?
Yes, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
How can I garnish these for an elegant presentation?
You can pipe reserved ricotta on top and garnish with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
Can I serve these at different temperatures?
These cupcakes can be enjoyed either warm or at room temperature.
Are the fillings for these cupcakes customizable?
Yes, you can use sautéed spinach, spicy sausage, or roasted vegetables as alternative fillings.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, these cupcakes can be assembled in advance and baked right before you plan to serve them.
How much ground beef does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef.
What amount of mozzarella cheese is needed?
You will need 8 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese.
How much parmesan cheese should be used?
The recipe requires 3 ounces of grated parmesan cheese.
What is the total amount of ricotta cheese used?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of ricotta cheese.
How many wonton wrappers are needed?
You will need 8 square wonton wrappers for this recipe.
What type of tomatoes are used for garnish?
Eight cherry tomatoes are used for the final garnish.
How many basil leaves are suggested for garnish?
The recipe suggests using 8 small basil leaves.
Is this recipe suitable for dinner parties?
Yes, they are sophisticated enough for dinner parties but simple enough for family meals.
What type of pasta sauce should I use?
You can use any of your favorite pasta sauces to taste.
What equipment is needed to bake these?
You will need a skillet for the meat and a standard cupcake pan for assembly.
Should the wonton wrappers be cut?
The wrappers should be squared to properly fit the cupcake molds.