Lasagna cupcakes are a fun twist on a classic dish, offering individual servings that are perfect for parties or portion control. These savory treats feature layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and flavorful ground beef. They’re easy to make and incredibly delicious, making them a great addition to your recipe repertoire.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound (225g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
How to Make Lasagna Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the heat.
- Cut each cooked lasagna noodle in half crosswise.
- Place one half of a noodle into each muffin cup, pressing it down to form a base.
- Spoon a small amount of the meat sauce onto each noodle.
- In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spoon a small amount of the cheese mixture onto the meat sauce in each muffin cup.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each lasagna cupcake.
- Bake the lasagna cupcakes in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the lasagna cupcakes cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish each lasagna cupcake with a fresh basil leaf before serving.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Ground Beef: The ground beef adds a hearty flavor to the lasagna cupcakes and provides a good source of protein.
- Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce is the base for the meat sauce, adding a rich, savory flavor and a smooth texture.
- Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese adds a creamy texture to the lasagna cupcakes and complements the other flavors in the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is used both in the ricotta mixture and as a topping, adding a sharp, salty flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully on top of the lasagna cupcakes, adding a gooey, cheesy finish.
- Lasagna Noodles: Lasagna noodles are used to create the layers in the cupcakes, providing a sturdy base for the other ingredients.
