Mini Lasagna Bites

Who doesn’t love lasagna? I mean, it’s basically the perfect comfort food – layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce that make everyone at the table happy. But sometimes you want those classic flavors without committing to a whole pan. That’s where these lasagna bites come in.

I started making these little guys for my family game nights, and now they’re the most requested snack in our house. They’re easier to put together than traditional lasagna, and you can eat them with one hand while holding your cards in the other. Plus, they’re perfect for those times when you’re craving Italian food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

The best part? You can make a batch ahead of time and warm them up whenever you need them. I usually prep a double batch on Sunday afternoons – some for now and some for later. Trust me, once you try these bite-sized versions of the classic, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them sooner.

What Kind of Lasagna Should I Use?

For this recipe, you’ll want to start with leftover spinach lasagna that’s been chilled overnight – this is key because cold lasagna holds its shape better when you’re cutting and breading it. Regular lasagna noodles work fine here, but the spinach variety adds a nice color and subtle flavor that makes these bites more interesting. If you’re making lasagna specifically for this recipe, try to avoid overstuffing the layers, as a more compact lasagna will be easier to work with. Just make sure your lasagna is completely cold and firm before cutting it into bite-sized pieces, otherwise, you might end up with a messy situation when it comes time to bread and fry them.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with this recipe? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Spinach lasagna: You can use regular lasagna noodles or even whole wheat lasagna. Just make sure they’re well-chilled before using, as this helps them hold their shape during frying.
• All-purpose flour: Whole wheat flour works fine here, or for a gluten-free option, try rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend. The coating might be slightly different but will still give you that nice crispy exterior.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs will work, though they won’t be quite as crispy. You can also crush cornflakes or rice cereal for a different kind of crunch.
• Canola oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works well – try vegetable oil, peanut oil, or even avocado oil. I wouldn’t recommend olive oil for frying as it can burn easily.
• Italian herbs: If you don’t have the specific herbs listed, an Italian seasoning blend works perfectly. Fresh herbs can also be used – just double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Parmesan cheese: Romano or Pecorino cheese make good substitutes. For a dairy-free version, nutritional yeast can add a similar savory flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making lasagna bites is working with room-temperature pasta – make sure your lasagna is thoroughly chilled (preferably overnight) as this makes it much easier to cut into clean, even squares without falling apart. When breading the bites, keep one hand for wet ingredients (eggs) and one for dry ingredients (flour, breadcrumbs) to avoid creating a sticky mess on your fingers that will lead to uneven coating. The oil temperature is crucial – if it’s not hot enough (around 350°F), your bites will become greasy and soggy, but if it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside gets warm. For the crispiest results, don’t overcrowd the pan when frying (work in batches if needed), and let the fried bites rest on paper towels for a minute or two to drain excess oil before serving with the warm marinara sauce.

What to Serve With Lasagna Bites?

These crispy lasagna bites are perfect for serving as an appetizer or party snack, but you can totally turn them into a meal with the right sides! A fresh arugula salad with lemon dressing makes a nice light accompaniment that cuts through the richness of the fried pasta. I like to serve extra warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and some people enjoy having a creamy alfredo sauce as an alternative option. For a complete Italian-inspired spread, add some garlic knots or breadsticks and a simple Caesar salad to round out the meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty lasagna bites stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember they’ll lose some of their crunchiness over time, but they’re still super yummy! Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Make Ahead: You can prep these little guys in advance! Cut and bread the lasagna pieces, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before frying. This is perfect when you’re planning a party or busy weeknight dinner.

Warm Up: To get back that crispy exterior, place the leftover bites on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes. The microwave works too, but they won’t be as crunchy. Heat up the marinara sauce separately in a small pot or microwave until warm.

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	40-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2500-2700
• Protein: 85-100 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-320 g

Ingredients

For the lasagna bites:

• ground black pepper to taste (freshly ground preferred for more flavor)
• 20 oz cooked spinach lasagna
• 2 eggs
• grated Parmesan cheese
• canola oil for frying
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp Italian herbs (for best flavor and aroma)
• kosher salt to taste
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (I use King Arthur all-purpose flour)

For the marinara dipping sauce:

• 1 handful fresh parsley or basil (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups marinara sauce (I prefer Rao’s Homemade Marinara)
• 1 clove garlic (freshly minced for best flavor)

Step 1: Prepare the Lasagna

Start by slicing the lasagna into 14-15 bite-sized pieces.

If you’re using package spinach lasagna, cook it according to the package instructions and then refrigerate it for 20 minutes to make it easier to cut into pieces.

Step 2: Set Up Breading Stations

In a Dutch oven or deep fryer, begin heating oil for frying.

While the oil heats, set up three breading stations using medium bowls or plates.

In the first bowl, add flour and season it with a generous 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.

In the second bowl, add beaten eggs and season similarly.

In the third bowl, add breadcrumbs and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Mix the breadcrumbs well to distribute the seasoning evenly.

Step 3: Bread the Lasagna Bites

Dredge each lasagna bite first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.

Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.

Finally, roll the lasagna bite in the seasoned breadcrumbs, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Repeat this process for all the lasagna bites.

Step 4: Fry Lasagna Bites

Once all the lasagna bites are coated, carefully fry them in the preheated oil until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites from the oil and drain them on a plate lined with paper towels.

Repeat the frying process for all the sliced lasagna bites.

Step 5: Prepare Marinara Dipping Sauce

While the lasagna bites are frying, heat a bit of olive oil in a small pan.

Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, ensuring it doesn’t burn.

Stir in marinara sauce and half of the chopped basil, and heat through.

Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl for dipping.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once all the lasagna bites are fried and drained, garnish them with fresh chopped basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Serve the bites family-style on a big platter with a bowl of marinara sauce in the center.

Alternatively, serve them movie-style in individual cups, with a few tablespoons of marinara sauce at the bottom of each cup.

Dig in and enjoy the crispy lasagna bites with a delicious dipping sauce!