Lasagna Cupcakes: Everything you love about traditional lasagna, baked into single serving cupcakes. A super fun way to eat a classic. Freezer-friendly. Kid-friendly. Easy.
Growing up, lasagna was ALWAYS my birthday meal of choice. I loved the layers of rich ricotta, gooey cheese, and pasta! And of course being that it was topped with my Mom’s marinara sauce–it just sealed the deal for me!
My children also adore lasagna. They gobble up my 5 minute prep Weeknight Lasagna and my son has asked for Ravioli Lasagna for several of his own birthday dinners. And now, I have created something they beg to have packed in their lunches: Lasagna Cupcakes.
A pizza dough crust is filled with a classic ricotta mixture, salty and spicy Italian sausage, marinara, and cheese. And then baked up into a hand-held, finger food version of a cupcake. It is fun. Tasty. Freezer-friendly. And perfectly portable. My kids have been begging to have these daily in their lunch boxes.
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So let’s break this down.
First, spread out a thin disk of pizza dough to line a greased muffin tin.
Second, fill with a mixture of ricotta, egg, and fresh herbs.
Top with a bit of your favorite Italian sausage, ground meat, or even veggies.
A little sauce.
A lot of cheese.
And bake to perfection. 
I like to serve these warm with a side of Marinara Sauce, but my kids said they would take them plain, cold, warm, hot…..basically however they can get them! Which makes packing lunches, so much easier for this mom!
To Freeze: Cool completely and then freeze on cookie sheet for 30 minutes. Place each muffin into a freezer safe container or bag and seal tightly. Freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator night before serving or heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Lasagna Cupcakes #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 1 Pizza Dough: or 1 pound your favorite dough
- ¾ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon honey
- 1¾ cups whole white wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 For the Ricotta Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 egg whisked
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 For the Toppings:
- 1/2 pound ground chicken Italian sausage or your favorite ground meat
- 1 cupmarinara sauce
- 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese grated
Instructions
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Make the dough:
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Combine the water and yeast and let sit for about 5 minutes in a large mixing bowl (or bowl of your stand mixer with dough hook attached.)
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Mix in the honey and oil. Add the flour and salt slowly and mix in as you go. With dough hook or large spatula mix together dough until well combined.
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Once mixed, knead for 5 minutes by hand on a lightly floured surface or with your dough hook on low-medium speed.
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Place dough in oiled bowl and cover and leave in warm spot for 20-30 minutes.
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While dough is rising, brown off your sausage, shred your cheese, and mix together the ricotta mixture.
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For the ricotta filling: Mix together the egg, herbs, and cheeses until just combined.
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To assemble the muffins:
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Grease 18 cup muffin pan.
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Flatten about 2 tablespoons into each muffin cup, coming up to the top of each cup.
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Fill each dough cup with about 1 1/2 tablespoons ricotta mixture.
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Top with a couple teaspoons of the cooked sausage, 1 tablespoon marinara sauce and cheese.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until ricotta mixture is set up and cheese is browned.
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Cool on cooling rack for 15 minutes and then carefully remove each Lasagna Cupcake from each liner. Allow to cool completely or serve warm.
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Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Now check out more great Finger Foods from the Sunday Supper Family.
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Digit Desserts
- Blueberry and Brie Tarts by Momma’s Meals
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Plus Bite-sized Pavlovas and More Finger Food Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Nichole says
These are so fun! I make lasagna rolls often, but I love the idea of “cupcakes” for my nephew, and that they freeze well.
Kristen Chidsey says
I bet your nephew would devour these Nichole!
Tammi @Momma's Meals says
I love this idea! I’m pretty sure my kids will eat anything if I make it in cupcake form!
Kristen Chidsey says
Yes–isn’t that kind of humorous?!
Tracy Guida says
These are life changing! I can’t wait to make these for my kids.
Kristen Chidsey says
Aw thanks Tracy!! I know your kids will love these!
Cindy Kerschner says
So fun!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Cindy
Eileen says
Lasagna in any form is a good thing.
Kristen Chidsey says
Isn’t that the truth 🙂
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
Who doesn’t love lasagna cups?! YUM!! Love how easy they are!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank you Jessica!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Such a cute idea!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks!
Maria says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank you Maria!!
Heather Kinnaird says
my daughter is extremely fussy when it comes to dinner ( and lunch for that matter) but she loves lasagna and asks for it weekly. I bet she would love these cute little cups
Kristen Chidsey says
I bet she would Heather!
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
What a fantastic idea. These would make the best packed lunch ever.
Kristen Chidsey says
My kids were so happy to have these in their lunches!!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Awesome lunch idea and super post! My kids will love these too. Love how easy!
Kristen Chidsey says
Easy is best!!
Marshie Boswell says
These are so adorable! Looks like a perfect snack for kiddos!
Kristen Chidsey says
They are certainly a hit with the kids!
Denise Wright says
What a great idea! At first I thought you were using noodles and thought that would be hard to eat as a cupcake. Duh! My son will love these….of course I will too. I also am a big lasagna fan. Great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Denise!
Caroline | carolinescooking says
These are so cute and a fun idea!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Caroline!!!
Liz says
I am always a fan of individual servings like these “cup cakes.” Easy to grab and reheat one for lunch or eat a whole lot more for dinner 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
You bet!
Rach's Recipes says
I loved how all the flavors of this dish came out so perfectly! I garnished it with some fresh basil and it was all gone in under 10 minutes at our family brunch! Fantastic recipe thank you!
Kristen Chidsey says
YEA!!! This makes me so happy! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Nutmeg Nanny says
What a fun twist on cupcakes! Love this savory addition 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank so much!
Catherine says
Dear Kristen, what a fun idea for family dinner! These look delightful and delicious. xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey says
It is a family winner for sure Catherine 🙂
Holly says
What a great Idea! These look really delicious!
Kristen Chidsey says
They are 🙂
Christie says
Honestly, you had me at lasagna. My parents used to call me Garfield because that’s all I ever wanted to eat. These looks perfect! Can’t wait to try them.
Kristen Chidsey says
LOL! I love that your nickname was Garfield!! And I love lasagna too!