Lasagne is one of those classic comfort foods that everyone loves, but sometimes it’s fun to mix things up. That’s why I created these Lasagne Cups mini versions of the classic, baked in muffin tins for easy serving and a fun presentation! Whether you’re serving them for dinner, meal prep, or a fun family night, these little cups pack all the savory flavors of traditional lasagne in a neat and adorable package.
Method
Cook the Beef
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey, or veggie meat if preferred) to the pan, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir occasionally to ensure it’s evenly browned and crumbled. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess fat to keep the mixture lean. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This will form the flavorful base for your sauce.
Prepare the Sauce
To the beef mixture, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything well, allowing the flavors to come together. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally, making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. The sauce should thicken slightly, becoming rich and aromatic.
Boil the Pasta
While the sauce is simmering, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the lasagne noodles and cook them according to the package instructions. Once they’re al dente, drain the noodles, reserving some of the pasta water to use later if needed for the sauce. After draining, cut the lasagne noodles in half to fit neatly into the muffin tin.
Assemble the Cups
Now it’s time to assemble your lasagne cups! Grease each muffin tin cup generously with olive oil to prevent sticking. Start by placing one half of a lasagne noodle at the bottom of each muffin cup. Then, add a spoonful of the beef and tomato sauce mixture, spreading it evenly over the noodle. Next, take a spoonful of ricotta cheese and place it on top of the sauce, followed by a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering process, starting with another half of lasagne noodle, followed by more sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Finish off each cup with a final layer of mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the muffin tin in the oven. Bake the lasagne cups for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown. The heat will ensure all the layers meld together, creating a deliciously cheesy and comforting treat.
Serve
After baking, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the lasagne cups cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them. A gentle twist or use of a spoon can help loosen them from the tin. Serve the cups warm as a fun and tasty individual portion. They make for a great dinner, or you can even serve them as part of a buffet-style meal!
Necessary Tools
- Muffin tin (12-cup)
- Large pot (for boiling pasta)
- Skillet or frying pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Cheese grater (for Parmesan)
Lasagne Cups Recipe A Fun Twist on a Classic Dish!
Cuisine: American, ItalianDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
300g ground beef or turkey (you can also use veggie meat)
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
12 lasagne noodles (boiled, cut into halves)
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Olive oil (for greasing the muffin tin)
Directions
- Cook the Beef
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant. - Prepare the Sauce
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 10 minutes on low heat until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally. - Boil the Pasta
While the sauce simmers, boil the lasagne noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and cut them into halves to fit into the muffin tin. - Assemble the Cups
Grease the muffin tin with olive oil. Start layering your lasagne cups. Place one half of a lasagne noodle in the bottom of each muffin cup. Add a spoonful of the meat sauce, followed by a spoonful of ricotta cheese. Then, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella on top. Repeat the layers, ending with mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. - Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. - Serve
Let the lasagne cups cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them from the muffin tin. Serve them warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Overfill the Muffin Cups
It’s tempting to add a lot of layers, but the muffin cups can overflow while baking. Stick to 2-3 layers of pasta and sauce to keep them neat. - Use a Muffin Tin Liner
If you’re worried about sticking, you can line the muffin tin with parchment paper or spray the tin generously with cooking spray to make it easier to remove the cups after baking. - Let the Cups Cool Slightly
Let them cool for a few minutes before trying to take them out of the tin. This will help them hold their shape better and avoid any mess!
Serving Suggestions
These lasagne cups are delicious on their own, but you can make them even better with a side of garlic bread and a fresh garden salad. If you’re craving extra veggies, a side of roasted veggies like zucchini or bell peppers pairs wonderfully!
Fun Fact
Did you know that lasagne is one of the oldest pasta dishes, dating back to ancient Greece? They even had their own version of the dish, called “Laganon,” which was a flat dough cut into strips and served with sauce!
Conclusion
These lasagne cups are a fun and easy way to enjoy a classic dish with a twist. Perfect for dinner, meal prep, or even parties, they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. With all the comforting flavors of traditional lasagne but in a cute, bite-sized form, this recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. So, get your ingredients ready and dive into this tasty little dish your family will love it!
