This Mexican Lasagna ditches the noodles for layers of warm flour tortillas stuffed with perfectly seasoned ground beef, refried beans, zesty seasonings, lots of Tex-Mex flavors, along with a cheese blend that is absolutely delicious. A delicious, family favorite weeknight recipe perfect for any occasion and is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
I love all kinds of food, but there are two categories that have a special place in my heart – Mexican food and easy food. This recipe ticks both of those boxes! I’ve been making this Mexican lasagna for years. When the kids lived at home, it was a great dish for dinner and to have on hand for my kids and their friends the next day after school. These days, I still make it for me and my guy because we can heat it up for a few days. It makes things so much easier and tastier! This is one you’ll love for weeknight dinners or to bring to any party.
Mexican Lasagna
This recipe starts with a mix of seasoned beef, onions, and jalapenos that I cook until the meat is done and the veggies are tender. Then, I add refried beans, Rotel tomatoes, green chilis, and red enchilada sauce and cook. Finally, I layer the mixture with olives, cheese, and tortillas, cover with foil, and bake until the entire thing is piping hot and the cheese is melty. It’s an easy dish that’s perfect for weeknight meals, parties, or just because.
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Lasagna Recipe
- It’s an easy and delicious Mexican dish with all the flavors of enchiladas and Tex-Mex favorite in a fun twist on the standard lasagna recipe.
- It has layers of flour tortillas with a mixture of zesty seasoned ground beef, refried beans, melty cheese, and lots more delicious favorite flavors.
- It is easy to make and is a hearty and delicious lasagna recipe Tex-Mex style.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser and is sure to become a family favorite with your family, too.
Mexican Lasagna Ingredients
You can find everything you need to make this recipe at your local grocery store, and you just might have many of them in your kitchen right now!
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Jalapeno
- Cloves garlic
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- Mexican oregano
- Black pepper
- Chili powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Refried beans
- Sliced black olives
- Rotel – tomatoes and chilies
- Diced green chiles
- Red enchilada sauce
- Boars’ Head 3 pepper Colby Jack cheese, shredded (or your favorite cheese)
- Flour tortillas
How to Make Mexican Lasagna
Making this recipe is a very straightforward affair. It only takes a little stovetop cooking, and then you simply layer and bake. It really is a Mexican version of lasagna!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Veggies
Cook the ground beef, onions, jalapenos, and seasonings in a large cast-iron skillet or frying pan until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender. Then, add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Drain the grease and return the mixture to the skillet.
Step 3: Make the Mexican Meat Sauce
Add the refried beans, Rotel, diced green chilis, and ¾ of the can of enchilada sauce to the meat mixture, stir, and cook until heated through.
Step 4: Layer the Lasagna
Add the rest of the enchilada sauce to the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread to cover the bottom. Then, add a layer of flour tortillas, followed by ⅓ of the meat mixture, sliced olives, and a cup of shredded cheese. Repeat 2 more times, beginning with flour tortillas and ending with shredded cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and broil for 5 minutes to get the cheese nicely browned. Enjoy with your favorite toppings, such as cilantro, Pico de Gallo, salsa, avocado, diced tomatoes, and sour cream.
Recipe Tips for Mexican Lasagna
- DO NOT overcook your ground beef. It will become rubbery.
- Although this is a somewhat wet recipe, you’ll still need to spray your dish with non-stick spray for best results.
- Cook the garlic until it’s fragrant. Don’t overcook it, or you could burn it.
Recipe Variations
- You can make this with ground turkey for a lighter dish.
- Try using a 50/50 mix of ground beef and pork, or use chorizo for an even more zesty flavor.
- For a mild version, omit the jalapenos.
- Use your favorite shredded cheese in this recipe, such as Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack, cheddar cheese, and Taco and Mexican blends work particularly well.
- You can use corn tortillas if you prefer.
- For a slightly different texture and flavor, give your tortillas a quick fry in a skillet before layering them.
What to Serve with Mexican Lasagna
Serve this lasagna with Mexican corn bread and your favorite Mexican sides like:
- Spanish rice
- Mexican rice
- Elote
- Jalapeno rolls
- Churros
- Homemade guacamole
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
Recipe FAQ
Mexican lasagna is an American dish that combines the flavors of Mexican food with the layered concept of lasagna. It uses a sauce made with beef, onions, jalapenos, and enchilada sauce in place of spaghetti sauce and tortillas in place of lasagna noodles.
Yes, you can! Both work well. It’s all a matter of personal preference.
You can make the beef sauce up to a day before you’re ready to use it. Then, simply heat the mixture up and finish making the lasagna according to the directions.
There’s no need to fry or heat the tortillas before making this Mexican lasagna. Simply remove them from the package, layer, and bake.
Yes, you can. It will keep for up to 3 months when stored properly.
How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze Mexican Lasagna
Refrigerate this lasagna for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat the lasagna, defrost it if frozen. Then, bake it covered at 350 until heated through.
Try This Delicious Mexican Lasagna Recipe Today
This Mexican lasagna is rich, meaty, and chock full of classic Mexican flavor. It’s also incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect combo! If you’ve ever made lasagna or used a skillet, you can make this recipe. It’s an easy, delicious dinner that makes a great twist on classic Taco Tuesday or a fantastic addition to any party. Give it a try, and I know you’ll fall in love with it!
More Delicious Mexican Recipes You’ll Enjoy
These Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas are an easy and delicious appetizer or main dish recipe made with deliciously seasoned ground beef and two types of cheese nestled in dough and baked to flaky perfection.
Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 15 ounce refried beans
- (2) 2.5 ounce cans sliced black olives, drained
- 10 ounce can Rotel – tomatoes and chilies, do not drain
- 4 ounce diced green chilies
- 19 ounce red enchilada sauce
- 4 cups Boars’ Head 3 pepper Colby Jack cheese, shredded (or your favorite cheese)
- 20 flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large cast iron skillet or frying pan, over medium heat, add ground beef, onions, jalapenos and seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Cook until meat is no longer pink and onions and peppers are tender. Add garlic and cook for 2 additional minutes. Drain grease and return to the pan.
- Add refried beans, Rotel, diced green chilies, and about ¾ of the can of enchilada sauce to the meat mixture. Stir to combine and cook until heated through.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and spread around to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Next, add a layer of flour tortillas over the enchilada sauce followed by ⅓ of the meat mixture and sliced olives, and top with a cup of shredded cheese.
- Place another layer of tortillas over the cheese followed by another ½ of the meat mixture, sliced olives, and top with more shredded cheese.
- Add a third layer of tortillas, the remaining meat mixture and the remaining shredded cheese and sliced olives.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Remove foil and place under the broiler for 5 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Cheryl Y Rautio
This looks so good can’t wait to try it! 😀😍
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Cheryl, Thank you! I hope you enjoy it when you do make it. :)
Lora L Cotton
Question: As printed, the recipe states “10 Rotel.” I’m ASSUMING that it’s a 10 OUNCE can of Rotel. Is my assumption correct? Thanks!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Lora, Yes, you are correct. I will fix that. Thank you!
Judy
Wondering if substituting corn tortillas for the flour would work in the Mexican Lasagna recipe.
Thanking you in advance for your prompt reply!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Judy, Yes, it will work. Let me know how you enjoyed it if you do make it with corn tortillas.
Karen
Do you drain the Rotel tomatoes?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Karen, No, you do not need to drain the Rotel. Thank you for asking. I’ll mention that so others will know as well. Thank you!