Mexican Lasagna Recipe with Beef

If you have never tried Mexican lasagna before, now is your chance! This recipe puts a delicious spin on the classic layered pasta Italian dish by combining all of the best components of Mexican food. Stacked with layers of tortillas, cheese, ground beef (or turkey), beans, and your toppings of choice, this Mexican casserole is guaranteed to be a winner in every household!

Mexican food is on rotation in my house every week. I often try to make something new and different, but my kids are always begging for this dish, and truthfully, I don’t mind because I love it just as much!

Tips for the best Mexican lasagna:

• This dish is so easy to make in advance! It is as simple as assembling the layers, covering the dish with foil, and storing it in the refrigerator until the next day when you are ready to bake. Note: if you bake the casserole straight from the refrigerator, be sure to add an additional 15 minutes since the dish will be cold.
• When it comes time to cut the lasagna, always let it sit for about five to seven minutes first. Doing so will help keep the layers intact.
• You can eat this dish as leftovers! They store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• I always recommend freshly shredded cheese as it melts better and helps add to the gooiness of the dish!

Variations of Mexican lasagna:

It is super simple to substitute the ingredients in this recipe for more preferred items. Here are a few suggestions:

• Protein: If you prefer a leaner meat, try using ground turkey or even shredded chicken to sub for ground beef.
• Fillings: I like to use refried beans, but you can just as easily use any other bean, like black or pinto.
• Cheese: You can use any shredded cheese you like! I use cheddar but try pepper jack to add a little heat to the dish.
• Tortillas: If corn tortillas are your thing, go for it! I use flour tortillas because my family prefers them, but corn tortillas or even a layer of tortilla chips are a perfect substitute.

What Ingredients Do You Need For Mexican Lasagna Recipe with Beef

2 pounds of ground beef (or protein of choice)

1 16 oz can of refried beans

1 4 oz can of chopped green chiles (add more if you like extra spice)

1 package of store-bought taco seasoning

2 tablespoons of hot salsa of choice (if you do not like spicy, sub for an additional 2 tbs of mild salsa)

One 12 oz package of flour (or corn) tortillas

4 cups of shredded cheese of choice

1 jar of store-bought mild salsa

2 cups of water

2 cups of sour cream

4 green onions, chopped

Optional: 1 can of sliced olives, drained

Optional: one tomato, chopped

How To Make Mexican Lasagna Recipe with Beef

STEP 1:

Preheat your oven to 350.

Heat up a large skillet over medium heat. Add your beef and cook until the meat is no longer pink.

Add beans, green chiles, taco seasoning, and hot salsa to the skillet, and stir until mixed well.

STEP 2:

Grease a 9 by 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Begin layering the lasagna, first with the tortillas, then the meat mixture, then cheese.

Repeat the layers two more times.

STEP 3:

In a separate bowl, combine the jar of mild salsa and water. Pour the mixture over the top of the lasagna, cover, and bake the dish for 1 hour.

Top the dish with sour cream, green onions, and the remaining shredded cheese. Bake dish uncovered for an additional 5 minutes. Make sure to let the dish stand for 5-7 minutes before slicing.

STEP 4:

Add toppings of choice, such as olives, tomatoes, or guacamole.

Serve and enjoy!