This viral dumpling lasagna is all over social media, and it’s pure genius. All the flavor of your favorite Asian dumplings, with none of the time-consuming wrapping. Even better, they take minutes to toss together and steam in no time.
Viral Dumpling Lasagna with Asian Dipping Sauce
I had to jump on the Dumpling Lasagna trend and try it for myself, and if you’re a dumpling fiend like I am, you’re going to love this recipe. I’ve used my favorite dumpling mixture, but adapt your own if you have one.
About Viral Dumpling Lasagna:
The dumpling lasagna is so called because it’s made in layers like lasagna. Pre-packaged dumpling wrappers stand in for the noodles, and a juicy dumpling filling is layered between.
Water or broth is added, and the final mixture is steamed to perfection. The result is almost magical. In around 30 minutes start to finish, you’ll have juicy ramekins with all the flavor and texture of hand-wrapped dumplings – with a fraction of the effort.
About 2 tablespoons works for the layers; the scoop easily spreads it out.
Making Viral Dumpling Lasagna:
The technique is simple. Mix up the filling. Make it with ground pork, ground chicken, or turkey. It’s all good, but pork is generally more flavorful, and since it tends to be a little fattier, it makes for a more luxurious dumpling lasagna.
Mix the ground meat of your choice with the spices and flavorings. Stir until the liquid is absorbed and the ground meat is sticky and tacky. (Tradition indicates to stir in one direction.) Then add the vegetables: finely shredded cabbage, carrots, and thinly sliced green onion.
If you don’t want to shred your own cabbage and carrots, keep it simple and pick up a bagged coleslaw mix. The pieces in the coleslaw will be a bit large. Measure out 1 1/2 cups and break it down until it measures a cup. Either:
- Run a knife through it, back and forth, or
- Give it a spin in a food processor or chopper.
Add the carrot/cabbage mixture, along with the thinly sliced green onion, to the meat mixture and stir in until it becomes cohesive. If you have time, cover and refrigerate for as little as 20 minutes to blend the flavors, optional.
Layer the dumpling wrappers (use the round potsticker wrappers if available, but the square wonton wrappers will work) and the dumpling filling in small, 3 1/2 to 4″ ramekins. A two-tablespoon scoop works well and fits nicely in the ramekin to spread the mixture. Add broth or water and steam for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Notes on Dumpling Wrappers:
There is usually a much wider variety (fresh and frozen) of dumpling wrappers at an Asian market. At the grocery store, dumpling wrappers are usually in the produce department, often near the tofu, or frozen, sometimes near the frozen Asian items.
The stores in my area only sell wonton wrappers. When I’ve had leftover dumpling lasagna made with the square wrappers, the corners dry out – I recommend tucking the top corners down the side of the ramekin before steaming to avoid this. (You can see in the photo, below, that I didn’t discover this until I had leftovers!)
Viral Dumpling Lasagna just out of the steamer.
No Ramekins?
If you don’t have small ramekins (get creative and use any small heat-resistant containers about the right size), or make dumpling lasagna in one small casserole.
A small, rectangular casserole that will fit two rows of three wonton wrappers is ideal. Standard wonton wrappers are slightly larger than 3 1/2 by 3 1/2, so an ideal size is about 7″ x 10 1/2″, but work with anything close.
Use three layers of wonton wrappers and two layers of the dumpling mixture. (The layered mixture in the casserole will be thinner than the individual ramekins.) Pour about 3/4 cup of broth or water over the top and down the sides.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. When ready to cook, place the smaller casserole into a larger one. Pour boiling water to a depth of halfway up the smaller casserole. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake at 400 degrees F. for 30 to 40 minutes. (Check at 30 and add more time if needed.)
Note: You can increase the dumpling mixture by about a third and use four layers of dumpling wrappers to make it a little thicker.
Steaming:
The ramekins can be steamed in a bamboo steamer if you have one and it has room enough, or can be steamed in a Dutch oven or stockpot with a lid.
If you have a rack to place the ramekins on, it will keep them from shaking and rattling. If not, a cloth (like a dishrag) can be put on the bottom of the pot first.
A second row of ramekins can be placed on top of the first row, offset, if the pot isn’t wide enough, and if the pot is deep enough. Just make sure a lid fits over the pot. Aluminum foil can cover the pot if a pinch.
Making the Viral Dumpling Lasagna Ahead:
- The dumpling mixture can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated. Restir before using.
- I don’t recommend either layering or fully making the casseroles ahead.
Serve With:
- Viral Dumpling Lasagna is often served with Chili Crisp (or Chili in Oil) mixed with Soy Sauce, spooned over.
- I love my Asian Dipping Sauce over the top. The flavor enhances, rather than overpowers, the dumplings.
- Either way, top with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you wish.
Favorite Asian Dipping Sauce
Leftover Viral Dumpling Lasagna:
While best right after steaming, store leftovers in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for three to four days.
Reheat in the microwave. Before heating, cut an X on top of the dumplings, cutting through to the bottom. Add 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of water or broth. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave 90 seconds. (Much of the liquid will be absorbed.)
Other Recipes You Might Like:
- Pork and Scallion Potstickers – this is one of my favorite potsticker recipes and the basis of the flavors in this dumpling lasagna.
Pork and Scallion Potstickers
- Fried Pork Wonton – Another classic recipe, jumping with flavor. If not into frying, these can be simmered in soup.
Fried Pork Wontons
Saving Money on Groceries:
What you pay for groceries depends on not just WHERE you shop, but WHEN. Be strategic and stock up at rock-bottom prices.
- The best sales are before holidays; check out Win at the Grocers. Think beyond the occasion & use the opportunity to stock up at a low for the coming weeks to months.
- If available, take advantage of discount stores like Aldi or Lidl. The pricing at Buyer’s clubs is not always the lowest, but can trump in quality. Be selective when shopping there.
The best way to save money on this or any recipe is to have a well-stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer full of sale-priced items.
Ground Pork:
- Often difficult to find (check the fresh meat aisle and the frozen foods) and pricey when it’s available.
- If you can’t get it, don’t want to pay so much, or want the freshest ground pork, buy shoulder, chunk it up, first removing hard fat and silverskin, and pulse it in your food processor. Pulsing is easiest when the pork is very cold. Portion the rest of the shoulder out (they’re usually large) for other recipes.
- You’re always going to save money if you buy pork shoulder on a deep sale, break it down (see my post on Large Pork Roasts), and have usable sizes in your freezer.
Dumpling Wrappers:
- Depending on your area, you may not have much choice or availability.
- If you’re near an Asian market, you’ll find several varieties, refrigerated and/or frozen.
Viral Dumpling Lasagna – the noodles are beautifully cooked, the pork filling holds together. These are amazing!
Viral Dumpling Lasagna
Dumpling Lasagna – a bit of a cheat with all the flavor of your favorite dumplings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground pork, chicken, or turkey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 1/2 cups coleslaw or similar mix *
- 1/2 cup finely sliced young scallions (about 4)
- 1 package of potsticker or wonton wrappers (18 needed)
- 3/4 to 1 cup + 2 tablespoons water or broth, divided
- Garnishes: Asian Dipping Sauce and/or Chili Crisp or Chiles in Oil mixed with Soy Sauce, sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Note:
- If buying a coleslaw mix, for the best flavor, look for one with a variety of ingredients, red and purple cabbage, and shredded carrots. Mixes with other sturdy greens work well, too.
- Finely shred cabbage and carrots, to total a cup instead of the coleslaw mix.
- Water or broth: 3/4 cup is about 2 tablespoons of liquid per ramekin. 1 cup + 2 tablespoons is about 3 tablespoons per ramekin.
Instructions
Add ground pork (or other ground meat) to a small bowl. Add in the soy, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and white pepper. Work the mixture together and stir in one direction until sticky and tacky.
Add in the vegetables and work them into the meat mixture until the mixture is cohesive. Set aside in the refrigerator (optional) for about 20 minutes if time allows. May be made ahead and refrigerated for two days.
Layer, in six ramekins, about 3 1/2 to 4 inches across, the dumpling wrappers and dumpling mixture: first a layer of wrappers, next spread about 2 tablespoons of the dumpling mixture. Follow with two more layers of each, a total of three wrappers and two layers of dumpling mixture per ramekin. Press down lightly to ensure there are no large air pockets.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water or broth over each of the ramekins. (If firmer dumplings are more your style, use 2 tablespoons. For soupier dumplings start with 3 tablespoons; see if you like it, and modify to your taste next time.)
Add a rack to the pot or a cloth on the bottom of a pot. Fill with about 1 1/2″ water. Bring to a boil and quickly add the ramekins. Stack if necessary, making sure to offset the ramekins. Cover tightly and steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the pot and serve immediately or as soon as they are able to be safely handled. Garnish as desired.
Note: my dumpling lasagna has always been finished in the ramekins shown in 15 minutes; many recipes call for 20. Do what is most comfortable to you.
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