Lasagna Cups Recipe

4.88 from 62 votes

By Katie

July 10, 2024

334 comments

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These adorable and delicious Lasagna Cups are perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners. Made with ground beef, veggies, and cheesy goodness, they’re a fun twist on a classic! If you’re looking for a good classic lasagna recipe, check this one out. It’s a reader favorite!

A white oval plate features six lasagna cups filled with cheese and tomato sauce, arranged in a circular pattern.

Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Cups Recipe

I have to tell you guys, I had a lot of fun with this recipe! Who doesn’t love a pasta cup filled with a delicious meat sauce and ooey gooey cheese? I think I could say that EVERYONE falls under this category. Oh mama are these good.

If you like lasagna, then you will love these Lasagna Rollups. Basically, this is just the super cute version of plain ol’ lasagna baked in muffin cups instead. All the same stuff you would typically see in the making of a regular lasagna recipe, just with a little more prep work and less baking time. More or less, this is a method you can adopt while still using the lasagna recipe that everyone is used to. Feel free to add in or omit anything you’d like. Make this your own. That’s the beauty of cooking!

Ingredients for making lasagna laid out, including lasagna sheets, minced meat, eggs, various cheeses, seasonings, and vegetables in bowls and cups on a light-colored surface.

Ingredients Needed For Lasagna Cups

This may be a long list but oh it is worth it! Gather up these ingredients to make Lasagna Cups:

Lasagna Pasta Sheets – this recipe won’t work with the pre-cooked or no-boil options. You’re just going to have to cook these babies al dente.

For the Red Sauce

Olive Oil, Onion + Garlic cloves – these three are the base of any great recipe. So much simple flavor.
Ground Beef – I used lean ground beef, but you could also sub this out for ground turkey if you’re trying to eat healthier.
Red Bell Pepper + Zucchini – two veggies that I sneak into this meal (don’t tell my kids!). You could also try sneaking in mushrooms or riced cauliflower.
Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce + Diced Tomatoes – tomatoes galore! This is a red sauce after all. And if you don’t like chunks of tomatoes try using petite diced tomatoes instead.
Basil, Oregano + Bay Leaf – three seasonings that take this to the next level.
Sugar – this cuts the acidity from the tomatoes. Don’t be tempted to skip this. Don’t worry this doesn’t end up sweet.
Salt + Pepper – and don’t forget to season as you go!

For the Cheese Filling

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread, Milk + Italian Seasoning – these three are the perfect substitute for the ‘Philadelphia Italian Herb & Cheese Cooking Cream’ I originally used for this recipe that is now discontinued!
Parmesan, Mozzarella + Ricotta Cheese – three kinds of cheese for the max about of ooey-gooey meltiness.
Black Pepper – season to taste.
Egg – this is used as a binder for the rest of the ingredients.

Variations

Different Meat: Substitute ground turkey or Sweet Italian sausage for ground beef.
Vegetarian: Use mushrooms instead of meat.
Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Different Cheeses: Swap mozzarella with sharp cheddar or use cottage cheese.

How to Make Lasagna Cups

These easy Lasagna Cups are a perfect appetizer addition or main dish to your family dinner or fun party food for any gathering. They’re an easy way to enjoy lasagna without the fuss, and the whole family will love them! For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step by step details for making these mini lasagna cups.

Step 1: Make the Marinara Sauce

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté ground beef, onions, peppers, zucchini and garlic until vegetables are tender and meat is fully cooked, about 12 minutes.

A pan filled with raw ground meat, chopped zucchini, diced red bell pepper, minced garlic, and diced onions.

A skillet on a stovetop with minced meat, diced zucchini, red bell peppers, and onions being stirred with a wooden spatula, surrounded by cooking utensils.

Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, salt and black pepper and bring to a simmer.

A frying pan on a grey towel contains diced vegetables, minced meat, and tomato sauce, being stirred with a wooden spatula. A wooden cutting board with a bay leaf and a spoon rest below.

A pan filled with a chunky tomato-based sauce being stirred with a wooden spatula.

Add bay leaf, reduce heat to low and cook at least 30 minutes, uncovered. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste! This sauce will be very thick.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling

Stir all ingredients (cream cheese, egg, milk, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella, ricotta and black pepper) together. Set aside. Save the other half of the mozzarella for later.

A hand is pouring breadcrumbs and seasonings into a mixing bowl with other ingredients.

A bowl of shredded cheese is being topped with a dollop of ricotta cheese using a green spatula.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook lasagna sheets 2 minutes less than package directions and drain. Place lasagna on greased baking sheet until you are ready for assembly.

Lasagna noodles partially submerged in water in a pot, preparing to be boiled.

Three uncooked lasagna noodles are being placed in a baking dish with tongs, ready for meal preparation.

Step 4: Assemble

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 12 muffin tins with squares of parchment paper. If they don’t stay in on their own, that’s ok–the pasta will help with that. You could also make larger lasagna cups by using a jumbo muffin tin.

Hands placing a paper liner into a muffin tray next to a wooden cutting board.

Hands lining a muffin tin with parchment paper.

Line the edges of the muffin tins with 1 pasta sheet per cup. (Pasta sheet will overlap about 2 inches.) Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce into the bottom of each cup.

Hands are arranging lasagna noodles rolled into cylindrical shapes in parchment-lined muffin tin compartments on a table.

A person is spooning tomato sauce into yellow lasagna noodle cups lined with parchment paper in a muffin tray.

Next, cut 9 pasta sheets into quarters and press one of these pieces of pasta into the bottom, on top of the sauce. Top pasta sheet with a generous tablespoon of sauce and then a generous tablespoon of cheese filling. Repeat this pasta-sauce-cheese layering one more time being sure to press out any air bubbles.

Hands cutting lasagna noodles on a wooden board with a knife. Rolled pasta sheets in muffin tin visible in the background, ready to shape into delicious lasagna cups.

A hand cutting lasagna noodles on a wooden board next to a tray of rolled lasagna cups.

Step 5: Bake

Top these lasagna cups off with a third piece of pasta, more sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with a gentle aluminum foil tent (to prevent edges from getting too crispy). Bake for 25-30 minutes or until everything is hot and bubbly. You may want to remove the tin foil tent for the last 5 minutes to ensure you melt the cheese on top. Serve hot!

A hand arranges lasagna roll-ups in a muffin tray, each lined with parchment paper and filled with cheese mixture, creating delightful lasagna cups.

A hand topping individual lasagna roll-ups with shredded cheese in a muffin tin, creating delicious lasagna cups filled with rich tomato sauce.

A close-up of lasagna cups filled with cheese and tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, and arranged in paper liners.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

Store leftovers cooled to room temperature in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, heat in the oven until warmed through.

To Freeze: Assemble and freeze in an airtight, freezer safe container before baking. Thaw and bake as directed.

To Make Ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.

What to Serve With Lasagna Cups

Make your meal a full Italian feast with some of my most loved and favorite salad and side dish recipes!

More Lasagna Recipes to Try!

These Lasagna Cups will be a huge hit and make for the ultimate comfort food, combining the rich flavors of traditional lasagna with the fun, convenient mini form. The printable recipe card is down below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.