Description: This easy Mexican Lasagna recipe is a delicious and crowd-pleasing twist on traditional lasagna, featuring layers of flavorful ground beef, black beans, salsa, and plenty of cheese, all nestled between soft flour tortillas. It’s a simple and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ounce packet of taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 4 ounce can of mild chopped green chilis
- 15 ounce can seasoned black beans, excess liquid drained but NOT rinsed
- 17.5 ounce package (10 count) of flour tortillas (8-inch soft taco sized)
- 16 ounce jar of mild chunky salsa
- 8 ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces block of Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Optional Garnish: Sour cream, Roma tomatoes (seeds removed and diced)
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This ensures the lasagna doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the lean ground beef, diced yellow onion, salt, and black pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until it is browned and no pink remains. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Draining the fat will prevent the lasagna from becoming greasy.
Step 4: Add the taco seasoning, water, green chilis, and seasoned black beans to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Stir well to ensure the beef is evenly coated with the taco seasoning.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium and let the meat mixture simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until most of the moisture has evaporated. This step helps to thicken the mixture and intensify the flavors.
Step 6: Arrange 2 flour tortillas in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping in the center to cover the entire bottom surface.
Step 7: Spread ⅓ of the meat mixture evenly over the flour tortillas.
Step 8: Top the meat mixture with ½ cup of salsa, spreading it evenly.
Step 9: Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the salsa.
Step 10: Place 4 flour tortillas (layered 2 on top of each other) as the next layer in the baking dish, creating a more substantial middle layer.
Step 11: Repeat layers: Spread another ⅓ of the meat mixture, followed by ½ cup salsa, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Step 12: Add the last layer of 4 flour tortillas (layered 2 on top of each other).
Step 13: Top with the final ⅓ of the meat mixture, ½ cup salsa, and the remaining shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Ensure all the cheese is evenly distributed for a golden and bubbly topping.
Step 14: Bake the Mexican lasagna in the center rack of the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Step 15: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool on the counter for 15 minutes before garnishing with chopped cilantro. This allows the lasagna to set slightly, making it easier to cut and serve.
Step 16: Optionally garnish individual servings with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of diced Roma tomatoes for added flavor and presentation.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
This Mexican Lasagna is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for several reasons:
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to your preferences. Swap out ground beef for shredded chicken, add different beans or vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of savory ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, hearty black beans, tangy salsa, and gooey melted cheese creates a symphony of flavors that everyone will love.
- Comfort Food: This lasagna offers a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.
- Great for Leftovers: Leftovers taste amazing and are perfect for lunch the next day. The flavors meld together even more overnight.
COOKING Rating:
- Ease of Preparation: 5/5 (Very Easy)
- Taste: 5/5 (Excellent)
- Kid-Friendly: 5/5 (Highly Recommended)
- Overall: 5/5
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
- Offer a variety of toppings, such as guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and hot sauce, so guests can customize their servings.
- Serve with a crisp green salad to balance the richness of the lasagna.
- Pair with your favorite Mexican beer or a refreshing margarita.
- Serve warm, straight from the oven, for the best flavor and texture.
Tips:
- Tortilla Placement: Doubling up the tortillas in the middle and top layers adds structure and prevents them from becoming too soggy.
- Tortilla Size: You can use smaller tortillas if that’s what you have on hand, but you’ll need to use more per layer.
- Tortilla Alternative: Corn tortillas can be used instead of flour tortillas for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Bean Selection: Cuban-style seasoned black beans add a great flavor, but any seasoned black beans will work. Drain but do not rinse to retain the seasoning. If using unseasoned beans, drain and rinse them.
- Freezing: For easy freezing, bake the lasagna in a disposable aluminum pan.
- Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese for a unique flavor. Pepper jack cheese can add a kick of spice.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the ground beef with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn for a vegetarian version.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
- Salsa: Use your favorite type of salsa, whether it’s mild, medium, or hot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 593 kcal
- Protein: 37 g
- Sodium: 1856 mg
Nutritional Information (Detailed):
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Calories: 593 kcal – This provides a good indication of the energy content per serving.
- Carbohydrates: 53 g – The primary source of energy, mainly from the tortillas, beans, and vegetables. Pay attention to this if you’re monitoring carbohydrate intake.
- Protein: 37 g – A significant amount of protein, primarily from the ground beef and beans, essential for muscle building and repair.
- Fat: 26 g – Includes both healthy and less healthy fats.
- Saturated Fat: 14 g – Consider using leaner ground beef and low-fat cheese to reduce saturated fat content.
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g – These are healthy fats.
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g – Also considered healthy fats.
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g – Keep this as low as possible.
- Cholesterol: 89 mg – Moderately high; using leaner beef can help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Sodium: 1856 mg – Relatively high; use low-sodium taco seasoning and rinse canned beans (if using unseasoned) to lower sodium.
- Potassium: 701 mg – An important electrolyte.
- Fiber: 9 g – A good source of fiber, beneficial for digestion and overall health.
- Sugar: 6 g – Naturally occurring sugars from the salsa and other ingredients.
- Vitamin A: 1132 IU – Important for vision and immune function.
- Vitamin C: 9 mg – An antioxidant that supports immune health.
- Calcium: 549 mg – Essential for bone health, primarily from the cheese.
- Iron: 6 mg – Important for oxygen transport in the blood.
Conclusion:
This Mexican Lasagna recipe is a fantastic, adaptable, and flavorful dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. Its simplicity makes it accessible for cooks of all skill levels, and its customizable nature allows you to tailor it to your specific tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for a party, this Mexican Lasagna is a winning choice. Enjoy the delightful blend of flavors and the satisfying layers of goodness!
Questions and Answers:
- Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
- Yes, you can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This is a great option for meal prepping or when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
- Is it possible to make this vegetarian?
- Absolutely! You can easily make this lasagna vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and corn. You can also add black beans or lentils for added protein.
- Can I use different types of cheese?
- Of course! Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to create your own unique flavor combination. Pepper jack cheese will add a spicy kick, while a Mexican cheese blend will enhance the authentic flavor.
- How do I prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy?
- To prevent the tortillas from becoming too soggy, be sure to drain any excess fat from the cooked ground beef mixture. Also, layering two tortillas for the middle and top layers helps to create a sturdier barrier against the moisture.
- Can I freeze the leftover lasagna?
- Yes, you can freeze the leftover lasagna for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the oven or microwave.
