Tempt My Tummy ~ Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes and Taco Lasagne

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.