Vegetarian Lasagna Cupcakes

Vegetarian Lasagna Cupcakes are a fun and creative miniature variation of the classic lasagna, suitable as an appetizer or an original finger food. Here’s a recipe to prepare these little delights.

Ingredients

• 250 g of fresh lasagna sheets
• 200 g of ricotta cheese
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium carrot
• 100 g of fresh spinach
• 1 small onion
• 250 ml of tomato sauce
• 100 g of grated cheese (such as mozzarella or Parmesan)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Oil for greasing the muffin pan

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F) and lightly grease a muffin tin with some oil.
2. Cut the lasagna sheets into approximately 10 cm squares that fit the muffin tin cavities.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna squares for 2-3 minutes, until they become malleable. Drain them and lay on a clean cloth.
4. In the meantime, finely chop the onion and sauté in a frying pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add the grated carrot and zucchini until they soften. Incorporate the chopped spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
5. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with half of the grated cheese, then add the cooked vegetables. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
6. Take the lasagna squares and mold them into the shape of the muffin tin cavities, creating a sort of basket.
7. Fill each “basket” with a tablespoon of tomato sauce, then with the mixture of ricotta and vegetables, and finally sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the cheese on the surface is golden and the lasagna are cooked.
9. Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tin to prevent breaking.

These little lasagna cupcakes are delicious and perfect for a dinner with friends or as a special appetizer. The mini portion size makes everything even more appealing and manageable. Remember that you can vary the vegetables according to the season and personal taste!

Fun Fact

This dish is a modern and playful reinterpretation of the classic lasagna, highlighting how Italian cuisine is versatile and capable of reinventing itself.