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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.
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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?
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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!
Common Recipe 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.