The Cupcake Series: Cheesy Turkey Chimichanga Cupcakes

Posted byLori Posted onFebruary 9, 2011 Comments26

Who needs sugar (or a man) when you can have a beef-meat-cake. Yes, a meat-cake.

I like being creative. I enjoy a challenge. And I love all the crazy things that can be created with food. After reading an article about the new craze of savory cupcakes, I knew there was no way possible I could pass this one up.

I mean, come on, a meal loaded with flavor, packed into an adorable little cupcake form? Who could resist that? Not, I.

And why, oh why, would you want to resist this? Innovation in small packages. And there are plenty more where this came from. As I have declared a cupcake war! Well, actually a cupcake series. The Cupcake Series. Expect a crazy new cupcake recipe once a week.

I present to you, the first of many in the new Cupcake Series:

Cheesy Turkey Chimichanga Cupcakes

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1 large garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 can green chili pepper
  • 1 cup water + 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
  • 1 tbsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 can tomato paste
  • 1 package egg roll wrappers, or rice wrapper (you’ll need the whole package since you’ll be making more “cupcakes” later!)

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, stirring until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chili peppers for 1 minute. Add the ground turkey to the pan (and water if needed), along with cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper, stirring and cooking until turkey is cooked through. Stir in tomato paste. Set mixture aside while preparing the cupcake tins.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3.To prep cupcake tins, lightly spray with cooking spray. Lay about 8 egg roll or rice wrappers on a cutting board. If using square wrappers, slice into thirds. If using round wrappers, leave as is. Carefully lay the wrappers into the greased cupcake tins, layering if needed, until the bottom and sides of each individual tins are covered with the wrapper.

4. Spoon 2-3 heaping tablespoons turkey mixture into each cupcake tin, packing down the turkey. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of “Cheesy Sauce” (recipe below) on top of the turkey mixture. Top with more turkey, filling the rest tin until full.

5. Bake the “cupcakes” at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve along side tomato salsa or avocado mango salsa.

Nutritional profile: For only one cupcake, 77 calories, 2 grams of fat, 5 carbs, and 7 grams of protein. Now that is one healthy cupcake! For the “Cheesy Sauce” add more protein!

“Cheesy” Sauce:

adapted from Angela‘s vegan mac ‘n cheese

  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp miso paste
  • 2 tbsps tahini
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • water, just enough to mix (I used about 1/4 cup)
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup sauerkraut or kimchee (optional but tasty!)

*Dairy option, just add real cheese instead of the “Cheesy” Sauce.

**Vegan option, sub turkey with tofu, lentils, rice, beans, or tempeh.

Instructions:

Measure and mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. No need to add salt, the sauerkraut and miso should take care of the salty part nicely. Taste, adjust, and try not to eat straight out of the bowl.

Baked to perfection.

It’s loaded with protein, way less fat than you’d expect, it’s gluten free, dairy free (option), and the boyfriend rating gave it a 9.5 out of 10 (only because it’s not loaded with bacon…).

I could never leave you hanging…

Avocado Mango Salsa

  • 1 large avocado, sliced into chunks
  • 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, diced with seeds
  • 1/4 cup red or white onion, diced thinly
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste

Mix all. Done.

The center is gooey, cheesy, creamy, spectacular. Trust me. I don’t lie.

Here’s the real cheese option. I didn’t try these ones but again, they too got a 9.5 Boyfriend rating out of 10.

Pretty in pink. The must have sauerkraut. I couldn’t resist an extra side.

Enjoy.

What would your cupcake include?

What is the most creative meal you’ve come up with?

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26 People reacted on this

  1. Does anyone know of a Paleo alternative to rice / egg roll wrappers? I’d love to try these but I’m trying to stay as Paleo as possible (no rice, et al). Thanks!

    1. I wish I could find a sub for this… I’ve tried to think of something that works in replace of the egg roll wrappers, but I haven’t found anything that works as well… maybe make the filling and then wrap in cabbage leaves? Let me know if you do find something that works well!

  2. I made these for dinner tonight and they were off the charts delicious!! Thank you so much for this recipe. They were really easy and I loved eating savory meat cupcakes for dinner! I’m totally going to try different meat cupcakes with the rest of the wonton wrappers I bought.

  3. You just stole my heart with this savory cupcake series!!! Now which one should I make first… 🙂 Thanks for the recipes!

  4. Very creative and original, these look great! Savory cupcakes could be awesome, like stuffed peppers. The sauce and salsa also look fab and great pics! My cupcake would probably include chocolate, fruit and protein powder. 🙂 The most creative thing is tough, a tie between a curry banana stir fry and raw cheesey mac with radish noodles.

  5. you are on a roll! My bookmark folder is growing….these look so good. I am on a huge tex-mex kick lately. I’ve eaten basic beef chili every day for 3 days straight. I also had an amazing black bean burger at my interview dinner. With this chipotle corn salsa, that would have been FANFREAKINGTASTIC with mango!

  6. It’s true. I so don’t need a man if I have cupcakes in my life. Especially guilt free cupcakes. Especially amazingly delicious guilt free cupcakes. Like these.

  7. Sounds so colorful (synesthesia?) and yummy. Do you wet down the rice paper before putting in the cups or just put it in there dry? I love the idea of the single serving like that–hadn’t heard of it before, but had heard of mini-quiches baked in muffin cups. And my husband’s daughter’s partner (who is a macho guy who hates cooking and occasionally has to do it for work) recently came up with mini chicken pot pies that he called ‘bonsai chicken pot pies’ lol…

    Love your new new header!

  8. Now THAT is one crazy meat filled cupcake. I dig it! I’d eat it! The entire meal just looks like perfection. SO loving the sounds of that avocado salad.

  9. Sheer Brilliance I tell ya! Personal-sized foods always amuse me… I am such a sucker for gimmicks! 😉

  10. OH YUM! looks so so so good! i love all of the different flavors!
    I have to say my turkey meatloaf rocks! i mix it with salsa and some veggies and mustard and it is so tender and delicious!

  11. oh my goodness! i am making these soon! I bet i could use the filling to make enchiladas or tacos too. 🙂 ohhhh I hope I can come visit you in the summer! I can’t wait to cook and eat with you! 😀

  12. Ok, ok, I must take first priority to have you make me these meals. Or…I might move in with you and I know you would hate that. Honestly, can’t I shame you into cooking for your mother? or just a little guilt for a lot of food???

  13. I think I should have you come move in with me and cook for me! lol every single one of your recipes looks amazing!!!

  14. I have rice paper sheets! I have meat! And cheese! I CAN MAKE THESE!! Savory cupcakes are bomb. My most creative one was probably my chicken-cheese-zuchinni cupcake. That was quite good…but yours look better.

  15. Yum! I was a little skeptical at first about a savory cupcake, but you just completely changed my mind. Those look absolutely delicious. And that avocado salsa sounds amazing as well.

  16. A: LOVE your new header!
    B: Am now allowing my husband to read your blog for fear he may move in with you and Sascha because you are making meat cupcakes…

  17. lori! you are on a cooking roll!! seriously your posts just ooze creativity, vibrancy, and warmth. i can tell you are just having the time of your life right now! so awesome =)

  18. gluten and dairy free. i could do that 🙂
    i’m not real creative when it comes to meals….but i love being creative in baking.
    the most creative thing i’ve ever made was a chocolate bark with bacon bits, filled with chocolate ganache, and topped with more chocolate/bacon bark.
    it.was.awesome.

  19. I wasnt sure how I felt about these until I saw th pictures. Instant mouth watering! The entire meal looks absolutely delicious! Please come to my house and cook for me k? K thanks 🙂

  20. oh my gosh woman! love it! if you ever open a cafe i would eat there everyday. seriously.

    did i tell you yet i like the new header? if not, i like the new header 🙂

  21. OMG I have got to make these, they look delicious! I love “Mexican” food 🙂
    I would love a cupcake with meatloaf on the bottom and spaghetti swirled on the top. There is a meatloaf bakery in Chicago that makes all sorts of these, swirled with mashed potatoes or spaghetti on top, so many cool creations!

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