Super Simple Meat Dumpling Lasagna
Quick and Easy Meat Dumpling Lasagna Recipe
This is a simple lasagna recipe made using store-bought meat dumplings. It’s a fantastic way to create an impressive Italian dish with minimal effort. Featuring fresh spinach, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes, layered with creamy cream cheese and gooey mozzarella cheese, this lasagna offers a rich and satisfying flavor profile. Perfect for a quick yet special meal!
Main Ingredients- 7 Meat dumplings (frozen or ready-to-use)
- A handful of fresh spinach (leaves only)
- 1 medium eggplant
- 7 Cherry tomatoes
- 4 Tbsp store-bought tomato sauce
- 4 Tbsp cream cheese
- Mozzarella cheese (to taste, generously)
- 1 slice of cheese
Seasoning & Others- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- A little cooking oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- A little cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the meat dumplings. If using frozen dumplings, you can thaw them slightly or use them directly.
Step 2
Wash the eggplant thoroughly and slice it thinly, about 0.5 cm thick. Lightly oil a pan and place the eggplant slices in it. Grill both sides until golden brown. Season lightly with salt and pepper while cooking.
Step 3
Once grilled, place the eggplant slices on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let them cool slightly. This helps to reduce moisture in the lasagna.
Step 4
Wash the spinach and pat it dry, using only the leaves. Heat a little oil in another pan and stir-fry the spinach leaves. Season with salt and pepper. It’s important to only wilt the spinach slightly; overcooking will release too much water. Set the wilted spinach aside to cool.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to cook the dumplings. Lightly oil a pan and add the meat dumplings. Use a spatula or a potato masher to break down the dumplings as you stir-fry them. As they break apart, the filling will combine to form the base of your sauce.
Step 6
Add the store-bought tomato sauce to the mashed dumplings. Also, add the cherry tomatoes, halved, and cook until the sauce thickens and the tomatoes soften.
Step 7
Add the prepared spinach to the dumpling-tomato mixture and stir gently to combine. Cook for about another minute until the spinach is well incorporated into the sauce.
Step 8
In an oven-safe dish (microwave-safe is ideal), spread about 1/3 of the dumpling-tomato sauce mixture evenly on the bottom. This will be your first layer.
Step 9
Arrange the grilled eggplant slices neatly over the sauce layer. Overlap them slightly to cover the sauce.
Step 10
Dot spoonfuls of cream cheese over the eggplant. Next, add another 1/3 of the dumpling-tomato sauce mixture on top. Repeat this layering process: sauce, eggplant, cream cheese, then sauce again, followed by eggplant and cream cheese.
Step 11
Generously sprinkle a good amount of mozzarella cheese over the top layer. This will melt and cover the entire lasagna.
Step 12
Tear or cut the slice of cheese and place it on top of the mozzarella. This adds an extra layer of flavor.
Step 13
Microwave the assembled lasagna for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, or until the cheese is fully melted and the lasagna is heated through. (Adjust cooking time based on your microwave’s power.) Finally, garnish with fresh basil leaves, a sprinkle of grated cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and a dash of pepper. Your delicious meat dumpling lasagna is ready to enjoy!
