Whether it be a greasy burger, delicious pizza, your favorite pasta dish, or the best Chinese takeout in your neighborhood, we all have that comfort food that we can’t wait to dive into. But what if there was a way to combine some of these cuisines and traditional flavors together to make something even better?
Creators all over TikTok have been posting how to make this new food creation, dumpling lasagna. They are taking the technique of lasagna — layering pasta, cheese, and sauce — and replacing the ingredients with dumpling wrappers, veggies, and meat to create this new dinner.
What is dumpling lasagna?
This recipe was first posted by food content creator Aila, @cookingwithaila, who shares a variety of Chinese recipes straight from her childhood. Dumplings are one of the most sought after parts of this cuisine, but stuffing the ingredients into the dumpling wrappers to create that memorable flavor can be difficult for beginners.
Aila took it upon herself to take the traditional and drool-worthy flavors of a classic dumpling and turn it into something new. With no wrapping or pinching required, you can get the taste of a soup dumpling with a few easy steps.
How do you make dumpling lasagna?
Take a heat-safe dish and start by layering your meat mixture (traditionally it includes ground pork, chives, and seasonings of your choice) on the bottom. Top it with a dumpling wrapper that is soaked in water for the best texture. Continue this process until you fill the dish, and steam it.. If you don’t have a steamer, fill up a pot so it reaches the halfway point of the pan with the lasagna. Once this water reaches a boil, place the lasagna in the water and cover tightly, allowing the steam to cook the meat and wrapper. Cook for roughly 15 minutes or until it is cooked all the way through.
Topping this with your favorite sauces such as chili oil, soy sauce, or black vinegar creates the easy, filling, and comforting taste of dumpling simply.
Can I customize my flavors and techniques?
Since the original recipe has been posted, countless other creators have taken it upon themselves to post their version of a dumpling lasagna. People have found ways to shift the recipe to make it easier for their cooking abilities and flavor preferences.
While it is traditional in dumplings to have pork as the base in the filling, TikTok creator @bosh.tv created a recipe that is completely vegetarian, using tofu and mushrooms as the filling. This recipe looks equally as delicious and shows the variety of fillings you can choose for your lasagna.
Steaming a big pan might not be feasible for some kitchens, especially if you’re making this for many people. Creator @majasrecipes shared her version of this trend using wonton wrappers in a baking dish that can be baked in the oven while still getting the classic taste of your favorite dumplings.