Monday, January 25, 2010

Tempt My Tummy ~ Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes and Taco Lasagne

Blessed with Grace

Another fun baking week here and I have one more healthy version (yes it's even a desert) and a super yummy main dish that was a hit with the boys. Both were very easy and we don't have much left over (that is also because I sent it over to the neighbors house, I so don't need any temptations). So Enjoy and yes a shameless plug for you to enter the book giveaway that this desert is in. Click here :) Cook Yourself Thin Faster Cookbook Giveaway

And if you new here then you'll be thinking why did she start with desert, because I'm crazy and love my treats. Rick always says we should open a restaurant that you have to eat desert first since you never seem to have room for it! So I'm starting the new trend ... DESERT FIRST :).

Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

In small bowl combined until well combined
½ c unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ c all-purpose flour
¼ tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
In Large bowl whisk together, then add the cocoa powder mix
½ c granulated sugar
3 tbs vegetable oil
1 Large egg white
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Once these two are combined add in
2 tbs chocolate chips
Bake for 20 minutes, cool completely

For Topping Beat Together, when ready to serve top each cupcake with:
½ c whipped low-fat cream cheese
1 tbs confectioners' sugar

350° Line 12 cups of mini muffin tin with paper liners (I only had regular size, so I doubled the recipe and made 12 ... yup makes perfect sense).

ohhh laalaa topping!
Taco Lasagna (As Cole said momma you made Garfield's Favorite)
2 c lasagna noodles, uncooked
3/4 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
2 3/4 c. taco sauce
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. chili powder
2 c. chopped lettuce
1 c. chopped tomato
3 c. (12 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook lasagna according to package directions for 10 minutes; drain. Separate lasagna and lay flat on wax paper or aluminum foil to keep pieces from sticking together as they cool.

Brown beef, onion and green pepper in 10 inch non-stick skillet; drain off excess fat. Stir in taco sauce, water, salt, pepper, basil and chili powder; simmer 5 minutes.

Pour 1/2 cup meat sauce on bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking pan; arrange 3 pieces of lasagna lengthwise over meat sauce. Pour 1 cup sauce over noodles; sprinkle 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 cup tomato and 1 cup cheese in layers over sauce. Repeat layer of lasagna, 1 cup meat sauce, 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 cup tomato, 1 cup cheese.

Bake 350 for 20 minutes.

ALEXIS NOTE: I switched ground beef with lean turkey and no one noticed :)

Enjoy, I would love to hear if you try any of these or any variation always looking for new things to bring to the fam!

I'm also linking up to Think Thank Momma's Cupcake Share a Spoon.
Think Tank Momma

29 comments:

  1. Both of these look wonderful! I have some gluten free lasagne noodles lurking in my cupboard, so I think this will go on next week's menu!

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  2. YUM!!! I want to make both of them. Can you believe that is nothing like my taco lasagna (mine uses tortillas instead of actual noodles). I can't wait to try it. Thanks :)

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  3. These recipes look so good! I have never made taco lasagne-I can hardly wait to make this. Thanks so much!

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  4. I must try those chocolate cheesecake cupcakes! They sound like a great baking project to do with my daughters.

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  5. Yum Yum Yum that looks so good, you have a lucky family that gets good food!

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  6. Yum! Those look so good! I'd love for you to join in the fun at Cupcake Tuesday!
    http://hoosierhomemade.com/cupcake-tuesday-raspberry-cordial-cupcakes/
    ~Liz

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  7. Poser I am so proud of you.. The other poser is around today.. Have a great day..

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  8. OH MY!!! when i saw this post title in my reader... i was all, i shouldn't even go read it and look at the pics.. but, i did!!

    and now! i'm staaaaaaaarving and this looks fabulous!!

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  9. Both those recipes are totally up my alley! I think I have almost everything for both of them too! I may forgo the leftovers tonight...LOL!

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  10. I love the name of your blog. My mom used to tell me that growing up. She packed a suitcase for me several times!

    The lasagna looks wonderful!

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  11. You are cooking your way through that book!
    mmmm, chocolate!

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  12. Those cupcakes look awesome. I really LOVE your photography too!

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  13. Oh yummy!! I cokked both of these off to try!! Thanks so much.

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  14. Love the name of your blog! Stopping by from TTMT to check out all the yummy goodies

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  15. Yummy! Who wants to run away when you can eat these?!

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  16. Thank you for these recipes. My family is going to really enjoy the Taco Lasgna. The cupcakes also look really good. I have always wanted to know how to make my own cream cheese icing.

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  17. Both recipes look delicious! I still can't believe the cupcakes came from that book...they look so good!! I can't wait to try them. Thanks for sharing!!

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  18. YUM!!! Both recipes look great! Thanks for linking to TMMT.

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  19. Oh this is too much girlie :) love it!

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  20. These both sound absolutely delish! I LOVE chocolate and Mexican (not necessarily in that order)! :D

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  21. You always find the BEST recipes.
    I must try these. Yum!

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  22. I would never have thought to make a taco lasagne, but I LOVE that idea. I'd maybe make it more of a casserole with spiral noodles, but I'm not quite sure why.

    As for the cream cheese, have you ever used neufchatel? It's more naturally low in fat and sooo yummy!

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  23. Of course you start with the desserts...I should KNOW better than to read these first thing in the morning.

    I'm hungry again.....

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  24. Oh yummy! Taco lasagna sounds perfect and the cupcakes look heavenly!

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  25. Oh yummy! Taco lasagna sounds perfect and the cupcakes look heavenly!

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  26. Oh my! Cheesecake is one of my absolute favorites. Add that to a cupcake? With chocolate? *sigh* I will have to make these too!

    Thanks for Sharing and linking up!

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Commments welcome, helps me know the people in the wall really do exsist!