Mexican Lasagna Bake (Printer-Friendly)

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

# What You’ll Need to Cook:

→ Main Ingredients

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

→ For Serving

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

# Steps to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and jalapeños. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break apart with a spoon and cook for 7–8 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through.
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.
06 - Spread half the meat mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with 6 corn tortillas and half the shredded cheese.
07 - Add the remaining meat mixture, top with 6 more tortillas, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
08 - Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven, top with desired garnishes, and serve warm.

# Extra Cooking Tips:

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