The perfect appetizers require minimal effort by the hostess and taste so good your guests will think you spent the whole day in the kitchen cooking. These recipes do exactly that. They are super tasty, sorta fancy and seriously easy! I used wonton wrappers to create wonton cups, and then filled them up with some of my favorite ingredients, such as Creamy Mac & Cheese, Zesty Taco Fillings, Savory Pizza Toppings and Sweet Whipped Cream with Fresh Fruit!
Mini Taco Cups
I love mexican flavored foods. The veggie crumbles in this recipe taste just like real ground beef!
Ingredients:
24 wonton wrappers (defrosted)
1 12oz. package of Mexican Style Veggie Crumbles (I used Lightlife Smart Ground)
1 16 oz. jar of salsa
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
Guacamole for serving (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper in each cupcake holder, pressing down so it sticks. Bake wrappers in oven on 325° for 10 minutes (the edges should be slightly browned).
While the wrappers bake, heat up a frying pan with cooking spray and cook the veggie crumbles over medium heat. Break up the crumbles and cook for about 5 minutes until heated through (be careful to stir so it doesn’t stick to the pan!)
Once the wonton wrappers have baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven but keep them in the pan. Layer each wonton cup with 1 tablespoon veggie crumble, 1 tsp. salsa, and 1 tsp. of shredded cheddar cheese. Once complete, place the pan back in the oven on 325° and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is nice and bubbly. Serve with remaining salsa, cheese and guacamole on the side.
Pizza Cups
What’s not to love about mini pizza cups? I used olives and mushrooms, since those are my husbands favorite, however you can swap them for whatever veggies you like most.
Ingredients:
24 wonton wrappers (defrosted)
1 cup of crushed tomatoes or pizza sauce
1 cup of chopped mushrooms
1 cup of sliced green olives
1 cup of shredded pizza cheese (combo of mozzarella and cheddar)
Directions:
Grease a 24 muffin cup pan with cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup. Gently press down and up the sides so it’s molded to the muffin cup. Bake in oven on 325° for 10 minutes until edges are slightly browned and crispy. Then, remove from oven and let cool off.
Place 1/2 tablespoon of sauce or crushed tomatoes in each cup. Then place the mushrooms and olives in each cup. Top with shredded cheese. Bake in oven on 325° for an additional 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Mac & Cheese Cups
I have to confess that I ate most of these tasty cups myself. The crispy wonton wrapper gives an addictive crunch to the creamy mac and cheese.
Ingredients:
24 wonton wrappers (defrosted)
2 cups of mac and cheese (recipe listed below)
1/4 cup of bread crumbs
1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper in each cupcake holder, pressing down so it sticks to the bottom and up the sides. Bake wrappers in oven on 325° for 10 minutes (the edges should be slightly browned).
Once the wonton wrappers have baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven but keep them in the pan.
Fill each wonton cup with 1 tablespoon mac and cheese. Top with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Once complete, place the pan back in the oven on 325° and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until tops are slightly crispy.
Creamy Mac & Cheese
This dish is a fav of both adults and children for it’s creamy goodness. If you want to make it a healthier meal for the fams, throw in broccoli or cauliflower after mixing the cheese in, right before baking it with the crumb topping.
Ingredients:
1 box of medium sized shells, cooked and drained
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 cups of whole milk
1 tsp ground mustard salt and pepper to taste
2 cups grated cheese, mix of cheddar and mozzarella
1/2 cup of fine panko crumbs
1/2 cup of Parmesan grated cheese