Mexican Lasagna
Layers of soft flour tortillas, seasoned beef, black beans, corn, and gooey melted cheese come together in this fun Mexican-Italian fusion casserole. It has all the bold flavors of taco night with the cozy, layered comfort of lasagna. Ready in under an hour, it's a weeknight crowd-pleaser.
For 8 servings
- prep
Preheat the oven and prep the ingredients.
1.Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).2.Dice the onion, green bell pepper, and mince the garlic cloves.3.Finely chop the tomatoes and shred both cheeses if not pre-shredded. - saute · ~13 min
Cook the beef and vegetables.
1.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.2.Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (6-8 minutes).3.Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened (4-5 minutes).TIPDrain any excess fat from the skillet after browning the beef for a leaner casserole. - simmer · ~7 min
Build the Mexican meat sauce.
1.Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.2.Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Stir well to combine.3.Fold in the cooked black beans and corn kernels.4.Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.TIPThe mixture should be slightly saucy but not watery. Simmer a few minutes longer if it looks too thin. - assemble
Layer the Mexican Lasagna.
1.Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.2.Place 2 flour tortillas over the sauce, overlapping slightly to cover the surface.3.Spread one-third of the remaining meat sauce over the tortillas.4.Sprinkle one-quarter of the cheddar and mozzarella mix over the sauce.5.Repeat the layers two more times: tortillas, sauce, cheese.6.Finish with a final layer of 2 tortillas and top with the remaining cheese.TIPPress down gently on each tortilla layer to keep the casserole compact and ensure even layers. - bake · ~35 min
Bake until golden and bubbly.
1.Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.2.Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling at the edges.TIPRemove the foil carefully to avoid steam burns. Let it rest before slicing to keep the layers intact. - rest · ~10 min
Rest the lasagna before slicing.
Let the Mexican Lasagna sit on the counter for 10 minutes. This helps the layers set so it slices cleanly.
- garnish
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream.
1.Sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the top.2.Slice into 8 pieces and serve each piece with a dollop of sour cream.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking so the layers set and slices hold together.
- 2For a leaner casserole, drain the fat after browning the ground beef.
- 3Press down gently on each tortilla layer during assembly to keep the lasagna compact.
- 4Use a glass or metal baking dish for even heat distribution and better browning.
- 5If the sauce looks too watery, simmer it a few extra minutes to thicken.
- 6Shred cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded for better melt and less starch.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace ground beef with an extra cup of black beans or a plant-based crumble. You retain the hearty texture while making it fully meat-free.
low carbLow-carb
Swap the flour tortillas for large parboiled cabbage leaves or low-carb tortillas to reduce carbohydrates while keeping the layered casserole structure.
spicySpicy
Add 1 diced jalapeño to the sauté step and increase chili powder to 1 teaspoon for an extra kick of heat.
cheese swapCheese-swap
Substitute pepper jack for cheddar to add gentle heat and a creamier melt, or use vegan cheese for a dairy-free version.
Why this is on our healthy list.
High in Protein
Ground beef and black beans provide a substantial amount of protein, supporting muscle repair and satiety.
Rich in Dietary Fiber
Black beans and corn contribute fiber that aids digestion and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Good Source of Vitamin C
Bell peppers and tomatoes supply vitamin C, which supports immune health and enhances iron absorption.
Contains Iron
Beef and black beans are natural sources of heme and non-heme iron, important for oxygen transport in the body.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but they are more delicate and may crack. To prevent this, briefly warm them in a dry skillet or microwave before layering.
