Mexican Lasagna | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

It’s everything you love about classic lasagna—reimagined with south-of-the-border flair.

Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.

Layers of flour tortilla, sauce, melted cheese, refried beans, and meat combine to create an exceptional burst of flavor in every bite.

You may also have heard the terms’ Taco Lasagna’ or ‘Mexican Casserole’ because this dish can be layered with numerous additions or substitutions that you prefer.

We use flour tortillas, ground beef, green chiles, beans, and whole diced tomato, and it’s loaded with two kinds of cheeses.

Our super easy-to-make casserole will be a big hit with kids who love these flavors, plus this is a great potluck and Cinco De Mayo meal on May 5th.

Setting up a garnish bar is fun, plus you can add all your family and friends’ favorite toppings with a little of all our suggestions below to build their own meal, and also just perfect when hosting a party.

We will give you all those suggestions below in the recipe card as you scroll through the step-by-step recipe.

Why You Will Love This Mexican Lasagna

• Quick and easy to assemble—no boiling noodles required
• Family-friendly flavors with just the right amount of spice
• Perfect for make-ahead meals and reheats beautifully
• Budget-friendly ingredients that stretch to feed a crowd
• Customizable layers to suit your taste or pantry staples
• Freezer-friendly, making meal prep a breeze
• Cheesy, hearty, and comforting—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser

If you’re not a beef lover, substitute tequila shrimp, ground turkey, or even roasted leftover boneless cooked pork or boneless cooked chopped chicken breast.

Garnish Suggestions:

1. sliced olives
2. sour cream
3. avocado
4. jalapeno peppers
5. shredded lettuce
6. salsa mild or hot
7. Side dishes:
8. avocado guacamole dip
9. corn on the cob
10. rice and beans 
11. Fresh toppings: Chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions
12. Creamy additions: Sour cream with garlic and chopped jalapenos mixed in, guacamole, or avocado slices
13. Crunch factor: Crushed tortilla chips or strips on top
14. Zesty flair: A squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving
15. Side dishes: Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad
16. Entertaining tip: Cut into neat squares and serve buffet-style for parties

Alternatives and Substitutions

• Vegetarian Option: Swap ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based meat alternative
• Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free corn tortillas and double-check seasoning packets
• Low-Carb/Keto: Replace tortillas with thin slices of zucchini or eggplant
• Dairy-Free: Use your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds and skip sour cream toppings
• Lower Fat: Opt for ground turkey or chicken and reduced-fat cheese
• Spice Level Adjustments: Use mild salsa or enchilada sauce for less heat, or add jalapeños and hot sauce for more kick
• Bean Substitutes:
• Cooked white or brown rice
• Orzo cooked pasta
• Cooked quinoa
• Chopped vegetables you may prefer, i.e., corn off the cob, onions, diced tomatoes, bell peppers

Tips for the Best Mexican Lasagna

1. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes after baking so the layers set properly
2. Slightly toast tortillas before layering to prevent sogginess
3. Don’t skimp on the cheese layers- they help bind everything together
4. Use a deep baking dish to avoid overflow while baking
5. Double the recipe and freeze one for later- it’s just as delicious reheated

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Easy Casserole for Cinco De Mayo

We love Mexican food and all kinds of food, and love to celebrate all holidays. Since food is a universal language, we can partake in the festivities.

This American Mexican casserole for lasagna is the perfect meal using some of the traditional ingredients we love, like refried beans, ground beef, and loads of melted cheese is a great way to celebrate any day of the week, even Taco Tuesday.

This is a nice change of flavors and is always welcome at our dinner table.

If you need an easy-to-throw-together meal for a quick meal, even if you’ve worked all day, you can throw this together in no time at all. This is the perfect addition to your recipe collection.

Cinco De Mayo recipes,Mexican lasagna recipe, taco lasagna, tortilla lasagna, easy Mexican casserole, layered Mexican bake, Taco casserole, cheesy Mexican bake, freezer-friendly casseroles,

Mexican recipes, Cinco De Mayo Recipes, taco casserole, Lasagna recipes

Mexican, American

Yield: 8

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Mexican Lasagna

This American Mexican casserole for lasagna is the perfect meal using some of the traditional ingredients we love, like refried beans, ground beef, and loads of melted cheese is a great way to celebrate any day of the week, even Taco Tuesday.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 1 8-ounce package of shredded Jack cheese combined with
• 1 8-ounce package of extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 package of 10 flour tortillas or use low-carb tortilla shells
• 1 16-ounce can of refried beans
• 1 pound of ground beef (or ground turkey or ground chicken)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder,
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley ( or cilantro)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large 28-ounce can of diced whole tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 – 4-ounce can of diced green chilies
• 1 small 4 – ounce can of tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
• pinch of chopped fresh parsley
• Cayenne pepper for heat if desired
• Optional: a package of mild to hot taco seasoning can be used in place of seasonings
• olive oil, vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a deep 10 x 10 casserole dish with cooking oil.
2. In a large frying pan, add a few tablespoons of oil, add minced garlic and saute for 2 minutes, then add ground meat, and cook till pink is gone.
3. Drain the excess fat out.
4. Add all seasonings, tomatoes, and all other ingredients (except the cheeses and refried beans), and simmer on low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the stovetop and stir in the refried beans.
6. Assemble with the tortilla on the bottom first, then add a layer of meat and both cheeses. Repeat, ending with a tortilla, sauce on top, and cheese.
7. Bake at 350 until cheese is brown and bubbly and edges look crisp, around 20 minutes.
8. Let it sit for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
9. Garnish: with sour cream, avocado, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and black olives.

Notes

Tips for the Best Mexican Lasagna

1. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes after baking so the layers set properly
2. Slightly toast tortillas before layering to prevent sogginess
3. Don’t skimp on the cheese layers- they help bind everything together
4. Use a deep baking dish to avoid overflow while baking
5. Double the recipe and freeze one for later- it’s just as delicious reheated

Alternatives and Substitutions

• Vegetarian Option: Swap ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based meat alternative
• Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free corn tortillas and double-check seasoning packets
• Low-Carb/Keto: Replace tortillas with thin slices of zucchini or eggplant
• Dairy-Free: Use your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds and skip sour cream toppings
• Lower Fat: Opt for ground turkey or chicken and reduced-fat cheese
• Spice Level Adjustments: Use mild salsa or enchilada sauce for less heat, or add jalapeños and hot sauce for more kick
• Bean Substitutes:
• Cooked white or brown rice
• Orzo cooked pasta
• Cooked quinoa
• Chopped vegetables you may prefer, i.e., corn off the cob, onions, diced tomatoes, bell peppers

Garnish Suggestions:

1. sliced olives
2. sour cream
3. avocado
4. jalapeno peppers
5. shredded lettuce
6. salsa mild or hot
7. Side dishes:
8. avocado guacamole dip
9. corn on the cob
10. rice and beans 
11. Fresh toppings: Chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions
12. Creamy additions: Sour cream with garlic and chopped jalapenos mixed in, guacamole, or avocado slices
13. Crunch factor: Crushed tortilla chips or strips on top
14. Zesty flair: A squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving
15. Side dishes: Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad
16. Entertaining tip: Cut into neat squares and serve buffet-style for parties

Nutrition Facts

Sodium (milligrams)

1117 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

94 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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More Recipes To Try:

Just whip up your favorite guacamole bruschetta and salsa recipes and a big pitcher of strawberry margaritas on the rocks for a fun and festive menu for Cinco De Mayo, or for any time you’re party planning.