Dumpling Lasagna
This dumpling lasagna is a cozy, cheesy comfort food made with frozen dumplings instead of traditional pasta. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella create a hearty, satisfying dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights but delicious enough for guests.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried parsley optional
Main Layer
- 1 bag frozen dumplings 20–24 oz (chicken, pork, or vegetable)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup sautéed mushrooms
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, and parsley. Mix until smooth.
Layer the Dumpling Lasagna
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add a single layer of frozen dumplings.
- Spread some ricotta mixture over the dumplings.
- Add more sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
Bake
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Do not thaw dumplings before baking.
- Use enough sauce to keep dumplings moist during cooking.
- Covering with foil prevents the cheese from burning.
- Letting the dish rest helps the layers set properly.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 28gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 780mg
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