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This Mexican Lasagne is made up of tasty chilli with added beans and veggies, layered up with tortillas and cheese and baked until crunchy on top. Is it actually a lasagne? Maybe not. Is it a delicious quick and easy dinner? Definitely!
What is a Mexican Lasagne, I hear you cry? Stick with me on this one because it is SO GOOD.
Look, I’m using the term ‘lasagne’ here quite loosely to replace saying ‘layer everything up with a sheet of a carbohydrate in between’.
Please forgive me Italy, this is no reflection on your beloved Lasagne al Forno.
This is another really easy beef mince meal. It’s not as simple and everyday as a chilli, but not as complicated to make as enchiladas or tacos as you don’t have to wrap or roll anything into shape.
And anything that makes things a little easier is a win in my book.
Why you’ll love this Mexican Lasagne recipe
⭐️ A bit of fun and something different
⭐️ All made in one dish
⭐️ Loads of flavour and budget-friendly
Sarah’s notes
This is my version of a really fun dish that’s a hybrid between the flavours of one cuisine in the style of a completely different one, which I love because it shows how our world food can cross over and be played with and inspire each other.
The Mexican Lasagne is definitely a ‘thing’, and this is my take on it, with budget, convenience and, of course, flavour in mind.
The origins of the traditional dish, better known as Pastel Azteca, go back generations.
Food blog Isabel Eats reveals a bit more in this post about what Mexican Lasagne is all about.
Mexican Lasagne Ingredients
- Oil – Sunflower or olive oil are best.
- Onion and garlic – Use fresh or frozen for these.
- Beef mince – I usually go for 5% fat here, but choose your favourite. If it’s high fat, drain some of it away after it’s cooked. If you’re in the USA you can use ground beef or hamburger meat.
- Spices – Cumin, paprika, garlic powder and chilli powder. I used mild chilli powder but use whichever strength you prefer based on your preference.
- Sweetcorn and black beans – These work really well in this dish, but you could swap for other veggies and different types of beans if you prefer.
- Tomato puree – Good quality here will make a difference.
- Salsa – Go for a fresh pot from the fridge section in the supermarket, rather than a jar.
- Salt and pepper – Season generously.
- Tortillas – See notes below on these. Wheat tortillas work better than corn here to keep them from going soggy. You’ll need about 6 regular sized or 8 smaller ones.
- Garnish – I garnish with chopped spring onions and chopped chillies but this is optional.
How to make Mexican Lasagne
- Once you’ve made up the sauce by browning the mince and adding spices, sweetcorn, beans, salsa, salt and pepper, spoon half of it into an ovenproof dish.
- Layer on two tortillas, which you can cut into shape if you need to, and layer the rest of the sauce on top.
- Cover it well with cheese and oven bake as per the recipe below for about 25 minutes.
TIP: Make sure your meat mixture is a little dry so you don’t make your tortillas too soggy!
Substitutions
- Gluten free – You can make this gluten free if you use corn tortillas. Always read the packet to make sure your ingredients are all free from gluten.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days.
You can reheat it in the microwave or in a frying pan. Just be sure it’s hot through before serving. (If you’re using a microwave, it may go a little floppy and no longer crispy, but they will still taste good!)
In the freezer It will likely go a bit soggy after being defrosted so won’t be at its best after freezing, however you could always crisp them back up in the oven (I would do this rather than let them go to waste).
Recipe Tips
⭐️ I have made this recipe with both corn tortillas and wheat ones, and I found the wheat the better option as they have a better texture for this dish. If you’re very anxious not to have soggy tortillas, go for wholewheat ones.
⭐️ This isn’t your regular chilli mixture. It’s much drier, using salsa rather than tomato sauce. This is so the tortillas don’t go soggy.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes…
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GIANT Baked Chicken Quesadilla {One Pan}
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Mexican Chicken Traybake
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Beef Burritos Recipe {30 Minute Meal}
FAQs
With the spices, it has a little heat, which you can control up or down according to everyone’s taste. Leave out the chilli powder if you like it very mild, or add some fresh chillis to turn it up a notch and add a little more flavour!
This is great with a few sides, especially if you’re making this meal for guests. Salsa, guacamole and a salad are ideal for smaller dips, or you could try my Mexican-Style Salad or Loaded Nachos as a starter.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Mexican Lasagne {Tortilla Bake}
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1 Onion, Chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves, Peeled and crushed
- 450 g (1 lb) Minced beef
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp Chilli powder
- 398g (14 oz) Tinned sweetcorn , 1 x tin drained and rinsed
- 400g (14 oz) Black beans, 1 x tin drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp Tomato purée
- 200 g (7 oz) Salsa, Pot from the fridge in the supermarket
- Salt and pepper
- 6 Flour tortillas, Regular size, or 8 small tortillas
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Grated cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃ fan/200℃/Gas Mark 6/350F.
- Heat oil and fry the onion, garlic and minced beef until brown all over, about 5 mins.
- Add the cumin, paprika, garlic powder and chilli powder and fry for a further 5 minutes until the meat is coated in the spices. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the sweetcorn, beans, tomato puree, salsa, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Put a third of the beef mix into an ovenproof dish. Layer on two tortillas (cut to fit if need be).
- Repeat the above step twice (so you have 3 meat layers and 3 tortilla layers). Cover with the cheese and cook for 25 mins.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This post was originally published on September 2, 2022 and updated later to make improvements.
Hey, just curious. Absolutely love all the recipes I’m just wondering the estimate for the calories and protein and such is that for one person portion or for the entire meal. Thank you!! 🙂
Such a tasty and super simple meal and a great alternative to using mince.
I discovered this recipe 3 weeks ago, and tonight was my 3rd time making it on my 6 year old’s request! He absolutely loves it, especially with added cheese in the layers! I swapped out the black beans for a tin of mixed taco beans in spicy sauce (from Aldi) and some red kidney beans. When he came out of school tonight, he told him that we were having it for tea and he promptly declared that this is the “BEST. DAY. EVER” 😂
Oh I love this so much Rachel!! He has great taste!! 😉
Everyone loved this recipe. I only did 2 layers as it said 4 tortillas (2 per layer) but it worked out fine. Mucho tasty. 😄😄
Love