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Mexican Lasagna Bake

Section: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

This Mexican lasagna bake layers bold flavors and comfort in one dish. With seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes nestled between corn tortillas and melted cheese, it’s hearty and satisfying. You can spice it up to your taste with jalapenos or extra chili, and finish it off with toppings like sour cream, hot sauce, or guacamole. Whether baked for weeknight dinners or a casual gathering, it’s a guaranteed hit with rich flavor in every bite.

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A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:25:36 GMT
A plate of Mexican lasagna with a fork on the side. Bookmark
A plate of Mexican lasagna with a fork on the side. | foodbymary.com

This Mexican lasagna is the perfect comfort food with seasoned ground beef and beans layered with tortillas and lots of melty cheese.

I'm cooking up a big pan of Mexican Lasagna tonight, my friends. Would you care for a slice? I think you're going to love this.

If you're looking for your new favorite comfort food that's filled with lots of gooey cheese and spicy ingredients, this one is for you.

What is Mexican Lasagna?

"Mexican Lasagna" is essentially a mashup of Italian lasagna made with traditional Mexican ingredients.

It isn't necessarily a lasagna as you might know it, but more of a Mexican casserole, definitely with an American influence.

Instead of using lasagna noodles, we're using corn tortillas, which makes it quite different in texture. We use Mexican style cheeses, or other melty cheeses available to you.

The ground beef, which you'll often find with Italian lasagna in America, is seasoned with ancho, cumin, and Mexican oregano, and we're also using black beans and corn to really round it out.

If you enjoy the flavors of Mexican food, this will definitely appeal to you.

It's easy to spice up as you'd like, with other peppers and spices, and easy to customize to your own flavor preference.

Get ready for some good eating, my friends!

Mexican Lasagna Ingredients

  • Olive Oil: For cooking.
  • Vegetables: Onion, jalapeños, garlic. Use hotter peppers or canned green chiles as desired. Use bell peppers for a milder version.
  • Ground Beef: Can substitute with ground turkey, pork, or chicken.
  • Seasonings: Ancho powder (or American chili powder blend), Mexican oregano, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
  • Fire Roasted Tomatoes: Sub with enchilada sauce, salsa, or diced tomatoes.
  • Black Beans: Or use pinto beans or refried beans.
  • Corn: Fresh, frozen, or canned.
  • Corn Tortillas: Or flour tortillas if preferred.
  • Shredded Cheese: Mexican blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack.
  • For Serving: Chili flakes, cilantro, hot sauce, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole.

How to Make Mexican Lasagna

Preheat Your Oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
Peppers, Onion, Garlic:
Heat oil in a large pan, then add onion and jalapeños. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Ground Beef:
Add ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked mostly through.
Seasonings, Tomatoes, Black Beans:
Stir in seasonings, tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Simmer for 5–30 minutes for flavor development.
Layer the Casserole:
Spread half the meat and bean mixture into a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish. Top with 6 corn tortillas and half the cheese.
Add Final Layers:
Spoon remaining meat mixture, top with remaining tortillas and cheese.
Bake:
Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Adjust bake time as needed.
Top and Serve:
Top with favorite toppings and serve warm.
A slice of Mexican lasagna on a plate. Bookmark
A slice of Mexican lasagna on a plate. | foodbymary.com

Best Toppings for Mexican Lasagna

What are your favorite toppings? I love to keep it simple with some spicy hot sauce, chili flakes and fresh herbs, but it's great with homemade guacamole, a dollop of sour cream to tame the heat, maybe a few spoonsful of pico de gallo.

I'd love to hear some your favorites! How are you serving yours?

A close up of a Mexican lasagna. Bookmark
A close up of a Mexican lasagna. | foodbymary.com

Recipe Tips & Notes

Use lasagna noodles for a more Italian feel. Substitute beans or seasoning blends to your liking. You can also use ground turkey, pork, or a combination of meats. For extra cheesy goodness, add up to 1 more cup of cheese to the layers.

That’s it, my friends. Let me know how it turned out and if you spiced it up!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Yes, flour tortillas work well too. They give a softer texture than corn tortillas but still hold the layers together nicely.

→ What cheese is best for this dish?

Use a blend of melty cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican mix. Pepper Jack adds a nice kick if you like it spicy.

→ How can I make it vegetarian?

Swap the ground beef for a plant-based meat substitute or increase the beans and vegetables for a hearty, meatless option.

→ Can I prep this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the layers a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve, adding 5–10 minutes to the cook time if chilled.

→ What can I serve with Mexican lasagna?

Serve with a fresh salad, tortilla chips and salsa, or a side of guacamole and sour cream for a complete meal.

→ How spicy is this dish?

It has moderate heat from jalapenos and chili spices, but you can adjust it by using milder peppers or skipping the cayenne.

Mexican Lasagna Bake

Spiced beef, beans, and tortillas layered with cheese for a bold, baked comfort dish.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Overall Time
50 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Main Dishes

Recipe Difficulty: Medium Effort

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Serves: 8 Serving Size (1 casserole dish)

Dietary Options: Gluten-Free

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Main Ingredients

Ingredient 01 2 tablespoons olive oil
Ingredient 02 1 medium onion, chopped
Ingredient 03 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
Ingredient 04 3 cloves garlic, minced
Ingredient 05 1.5 pounds ground beef
Ingredient 06 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
Ingredient 07 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
Ingredient 08 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Ingredient 09 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ingredient 10 Salt and black pepper to taste
Ingredient 11 1 can (15 oz) fire roasted tomatoes
Ingredient 12 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
Ingredient 13 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Ingredient 14 12 corn tortillas
Ingredient 15 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

→ For Serving

Ingredient 16 Chopped fresh cilantro
Ingredient 17 Hot sauce or taco sauce
Ingredient 18 Sour cream
Ingredient 19 Pico de gallo
Ingredient 20 Guacamole
Ingredient 21 Crushed red chili flakes

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 02

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and jalapeños. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 04

Add ground beef to the skillet. Break apart with a spoon and cook for 7–8 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through.

Step 05

Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Simmer for 5–30 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 06

Spread half the meat mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with 6 corn tortillas and half the shredded cheese.

Step 07

Add the remaining meat mixture, top with 6 more tortillas, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Step 08

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 09

Remove from oven, top with desired garnishes, and serve warm.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. You can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef.
  2. Enchilada sauce or salsa may be substituted for fire roasted tomatoes.
  3. Use flour tortillas if preferred, though corn provides a more authentic texture.
  4. Add more cheese if desired for a richer, extra cheesy version.
  5. Simmer the filling mixture longer for deeper flavor development.

Must-Have Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing spoon
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream)
  • Contains corn (tortillas, corn kernels)

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 445
  • Fats: 24 grams
  • Carbs: 28 grams
  • Proteins: 26 grams