Mexican Lasagna
This quick and easy Mexican Lasagna layers seasoned ground chicken with black beans, corn, and choice of taco sauce or tomatoes between spinach tortillas and ample shredded cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, it's a flavorful and convenient weeknight meal that combines vibrant Mexican-inspired tastes with the comforting structure of a lasagna.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet For browning chicken and preparing the filling.
- 1 Shallow Baking Dish Approximately 9x13 inch, for assembling and baking the lasagna.
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping onion and scallions, and cutting tortillas.
- 1 Cutting Board For safe and efficient chopping.
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring and breaking up ground chicken.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds ground chicken breast available in the packaged meats case
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 red onion chopped
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
- 1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 14-oz can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- Salt
- 8 8 inch spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market
- 2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
- 2 scallions finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
- Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.
Notes
1. Ensure the ground chicken is thoroughly browned for maximum flavor depth; avoid overcrowding the skillet. If necessary, brown in batches. 2. For a richer, smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the chicken mixture. 3. To prevent tortillas from becoming soggy, drain the black beans very well and don't make the meat mixture excessively saucy. 4. Feel free to use a blend of cheeses, such as a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, for a more complex flavor profile. 5. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice upon serving will elevate the dish's freshness and balance the richness.