Layers of flour tortilla, sauce, melted cheese, refried beans, and meat make an exceptional burst of flavor in every bite you take!
You may also have heard the terms Taco Lasagna or Mexican Casserole because this dish can be layered with so many additions or substitutions 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 friend's 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.
Step by Step
- Spray a baking dish 9 x 9 and set it aside
- saute the meat then add the beans, and seasoning sauce then mix to blend evenly
- start with flour tortilla layering, cheese, filling more tortillas, filling etc ending with tortilla and cheese on top
- bake until the cheese is melted and the top is crispy
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:
- sliced olives
- sour cream
- avocado
- jalapeno peppers
- shredded lettuce
- salsa mild or hot
- diced tomatoes
- finely chopped onions
- crushed tortilla chips
- Side dishes:
- avocado guacamole dip
- corn on the cob
- rice and beans
Alternatives for Beans
- cooked white or brown rice
- orzo cooked pasta
- cooked quinoa
- chopped vegetables you may prefer IE onions, diced tomatoes, bell peppers
- yellow rice cooked
Ingredients to Use(see the recipe card for the exact measurements)
- tortilla
- whole diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- ground beef or turkey
- green chilies
- mozzarella and jack cheese shredded
- garlic
- refried beans
- chili powder
- cumin
- granulated garlic powder
- parsley
- oil
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Easy Casserole for Cinco De Mayo
We love Mexican food and all kinds of foods 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 and 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 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.

Mexican Lasagna
Yield: 10
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min
A combination of layered tortillas with beans, sauce and cheese into a delicious Mexican Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package of shredded jack cheese combined with
- 1 8 oz package of extra sharp cheddar shredded
- 1 package of 10 flour tortilla's or use low carb tortilla shells
- 1 16 oz can of refried beans
- 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey
- 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 diced
- 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 basil
- Optional: Cayenne pepper for heat, cooked chicken instead of beef or any other kind of meat you
- like
- olive oil, vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- In a large frypan, add a few tablespoons of oil add minced garlic and saute for 2 minutes then add ground meat, and cook till pink is gone.
- Drain excess fat out.
- 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.
- Take this off the stove and stir in the refried beans.
- In a square 10 x 10 pan lightly greased with oil, start with the tortilla, add a layer of meat both cheeses, repeat with a tortilla on top, meat, cheese.
- End with more cheese and meat/bean sauce.
- Bake on 350 until cheese is brown and bubbly and edges look crisp around 20 minutes.
- Let sit a few minutes before cutting and serving.
- Garnish: with sour cream, avocado, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and black olives.
Notes
Garnish Suggestions:
- sliced olives
- sour cream
- avocado
- jalapeno peppers
- shredded lettuce
- salsa mild or hot
- diced tomatoes
- finely chopped onions
- crushed tortilla chips
- Side dishes:
- guacamole
- rice and beans
Nutrition Facts
Calories
281.25Fat (grams)
17.11Sat. Fat (grams)
9.04Carbs (grams)
7.7Fiber (grams)
2.51Net carbs
5.19Sugar (grams)
2.02Protein (grams)
23.91Sodium (milligrams)
604.05Cholesterol (grams)
67.81Pin for later
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.
What an interesting idea. Great for any busy weeknight. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
NIce idea! I like it very much.
ReplyDeleteGreat twist - and not surprised everyone likes it!
ReplyDeleteClaudia,
ReplyDeleteCan you contact me via email at lazarocooks@gmail.com I tried to find an email on your blog, but missed it.
I want to ask you a question.
Thanks
Love this idea! I can't wait to make it for my boys. :)
ReplyDeleteVery good idea - with ease and taste and fun.love melding Mexican and Italian. They are a natural!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super fun weeknight meal!! I bet this tastes even better the next day!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to make something like this when I was a kid and it was my FAVORITE!!! the recipe looks great.
ReplyDeleteEverything you would want in a combination plate all in one place--perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat mexican lasagna !. Thanks for sharing the recipe :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a quick dinner. You can't go wrong with all those flavors together!
ReplyDeleteVery original, I think it's very good!
ReplyDeleteA very lovely lasagne with a twist!
ReplyDeleteYummmmmmmmmm,...!!!!
I've done that style of lasagna before and it is SO good. Great post.
ReplyDeletehey, that's just a great one dish meal - have made it many times ... I sometimes use a enchilada sauce and then there is the spinach chicken chiles version thats really different....you know how much I love my Mexican foods...
ReplyDeleteI love Mexican lasagna too! Your little twist with the garlic makes it all the more delicious!
ReplyDeleteSo freaking creative! I loove looove looove this!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea and what a nice change of pace!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely love this with the Mexican kick to it. What a creative rescipe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea...looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteI've often lasagna but not with Mex version, like a lot with tortillas more beans, so yummy
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Gera
Hi, I'm loving this and am now following you. Thanks, Keri a.k.a. Sam
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Claudia - you do have the darndest ideas!! I would love to eat this!
ReplyDeleteoh wow, that looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteWow this looks so delish! There was a similar idea in my Richard Simmons cookbook and I absolutely loved it!
ReplyDeleteI MUST give yours a try, it looks scrumptious! :)
This looks like such a yummy comfort food dish. I love those Mexican flavors, all layered together!
ReplyDeleteWe don't eat meat, but I could easily see us substituting the ground meat for lentils and it would be a dish that our daughter would love - the ultimate comfort food version of one of her favourite meals: tacos :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks really good Claudia.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so easy to make and with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner I'm going to try it out. I know my whole family is going to love it.
ReplyDeleteLove this, reminds me of the mexican lasagna my grandma would make.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best Mexican-inspired dish I've had in a long time. I made it last night, and the whole family loved it.
ReplyDeleteMade this last night for the kids and they loveeeed it! Cannot wait to make it again -- so flavourful and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best of both worlds. We love Mexican and Italian food. Now we can have it together in one delicious dish.
ReplyDelete