Cheesy Layered Mexican Lasagna
Cheesy Layered Mexican Lasagna is a vibrant and comforting fusion dish that blends the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the cheesy goodness of Italian lasagna. Featuring layers of seasoned ground meat, creamy refried beans, fresh salsa, and melted Mexican blend cheese stacked between tender tortillas, this recipe offers a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or festive gatherings.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Italian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free (with corn tortillas and gluten-free taco seasoning)
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water (or as needed)
Layer Components
- 8–10 flour or corn tortillas
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
- 1/2 cup salsa verde or salsa roja
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey with diced onion and minced garlic until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning and splash of water; cook a few minutes until well combined and juicy.
- Mix the Beans and Salsa: In a bowl, combine refried beans with some salsa (about 1/4 cup) to loosen the texture, creating a tangy, creamy layer that balances the meat’s richness.
- Layer the Ingredients: Grease a baking dish. Spread a thin layer of salsa on the bottom. Layer tortillas over the salsa, then spread bean mixture, followed by the seasoned meat and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Repeat the layering process ending with a top layer of tortillas and cheese.
- Bake Until Bubbling and Golden: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set layers for easy slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime if desired, then serve.
Notes
- Use fresh tortillas for softer, more absorbent layers.
- Let the lasagna rest before slicing to prevent it from falling apart.
- Adjust layering order to suit your texture and flavor preferences.
- Assemble the dish the night before and refrigerate to deepen flavors.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle queso fresco on top before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Mexican lasagna, cheesy Mexican dish, layered casserole, fiesta recipe, ground beef casserole, easy weeknight dinner