What a brilliant and fun idea! Wonton Wrapper Lasagna Bites are the perfect party appetizer—easy to make, individually portioned, and packed with all the classic lasagna flavors. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Here’s a detailed recipe to make them.
Wonton Wrapper Lasagna Bites
These mini lasagnas are layered in a muffin tin for a perfect, crispy cup shape.
Yields: 12 bites
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
· 1/2 lb Italian sausage or ground beef (or a mix)
· 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
· 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 large egg yolk
· 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
· 1/2 tsp garlic powder
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 3/4 cup your favorite marinara or Bolognese sauce
For Assembly:
· 12 square wonton wrappers
· Non-stick cooking spray or olive oil
· 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
· Extra Parmesan and parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or olive oil.
- Cook the Meat: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage (or ground beef), breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat.
- Make the Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg yolk, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Add the 3/4 cup of marinara sauce to the cooked meat in the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through. Set aside.
- Form the Wonton Cups: Gently press one wonton wrapper into each cup of the prepared muffin tin, letting the corners point upwards. This creates the perfect vessel for the layers.
- Layer the Lasagna Bites:
· First Layer: Add about 1 tablespoon of the meat sauce to the bottom of each wonton cup.
· Second Layer: Add a generous teaspoon of the ricotta mixture on top of the meat.
· Third Layer: Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta. - Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wonton edges are golden brown and crisp, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing them with an offset spatula or a small knife. This allows them to set and makes them easier to handle.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley. Serve warm!
🌟 Flavor Variations & Pro-Tips:
· Vegetarian Delight: Skip the meat and use a mixture of finely chopped sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini for the base layer.
· Spinach & Ricotta: Mix 1/4 cup of thawed and thoroughly squeezed frozen spinach into the ricotta mixture.
· Spice it Up: Use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
· Don’t Overfill: The biggest mistake is overfilling the cups, which can cause them to bubble over and become difficult to remove. Stick to the recommended amounts.
· Prevent Sogginess: Make sure your meat sauce isn’t too watery. If using jarred sauce, you can simmer it for a few minutes to thicken it up.
· Make-Ahead: You can assemble the bites a few hours ahead of time, cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
· Reheating: Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or toaster oven to keep them crispy. The microwave will make them soft.
These Wonton Wrapper Lasagna Bites are the ultimate easy, cheesy, and impressive appetizer. Enjoy