Mexican Lasagna

Name: Mexican Lasagna
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: tex_mex
Ingredients: 500 g ground beef (lean); 3 pcs garlic (cloves, minced); 1 pcs onion (medium, chopped); 1 pcs bell pepper (green, diced); 1 tsp cumin powder; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 1 pinch red chili powder; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.75 cup black beans (dry, soaked overnight and boiled until tender); 0.5 cup corn (fresh or frozen kernels); 2 pcs tomato (medium, finely chopped); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 0.25 cup water; 8 pcs flour tortilla (8-inch size); 1.5 cup cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded); 0.25 cup sour cream (for serving); 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped, for garnish); 2 tsp oil

RATING

4.6/5(92)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

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.

PREP

20m

COOK

30m

SERVES

1 PIECE

526 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 7 STEPS

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.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking so the layers set and slices hold together.
2
For a leaner casserole, drain the fat after browning the ground beef.
3
Press down gently on each tortilla layer during assembly to keep the lasagna compact.
4
Use a glass or metal baking dish for even heat distribution and better browning.
5
If the sauce looks too watery, simmer it a few extra minutes to thicken.
6
Shred cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded for better melt and less starch.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

vegetarian

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 carb

Low-carb

Swap the flour tortillas for large parboiled cabbage leaves or low-carb tortillas to reduce carbohydrates while keeping the layered casserole structure.

spicy