Dumpling Lasagna (Printable Version)
Juicy dumplings layered with marinara and gooey cheese create this viral fusion bake. A hearty twist on Italian comfort food that's perfect for sharing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dumplings
01 - 24 frozen or fresh pork, chicken, or vegetable dumplings (gyoza or potstickers)
→ Sauce
02 - 2 cups marinara or tomato basil pasta sauce
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
08 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Cheese Mixture
09 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
→ To Assemble
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
03 - Stir in marinara sauce, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
04 - In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, basil or parsley, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan until combined.
05 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce. Arrange 12 dumplings over the sauce.
06 - Dollop half the ricotta mixture over dumplings, then sprinkle with one-third of remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
07 - Repeat layers: sauce, remaining dumplings, remaining ricotta mixture, another third of the cheeses.
08 - Top with remaining sauce and all the remaining cheeses.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10 - Uncover and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbling.
11 - Let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Crispy dumpling edges stay satisfyingly crunchy even underneath all that cheese
- It comes together faster than traditional lasagna but feels just as comforting
02 -
- Letting the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking is not optional, or the layers will slide apart when you try to serve it
- Dumplings should be frozen when you layer them, not thawed, so they do not become soggy
03 -
- Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan between layers for salty pops of flavor throughout
- Broil for the last two minutes if you want an extra crispy cheese crust