Mexican Lasagna
This easy Mexican Lasagna recipe layers seasoned ground chicken with black beans, corn, and a flavorful taco sauce between spinach tortillas and ample shredded cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, it offers a comforting, savory meal ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet For browning chicken and cooking the filling.
- 1 Shallow Baking Dish A 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) casserole dish works well.
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping onion, scallions, and cutting tortillas.
- 1 Cutting Board
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
To achieve a rich flavor, ensure the ground chicken is properly browned in the skillet before adding other ingredients; this develops a deep, savory base. When layering, slightly overlap the tortilla pieces to create a continuous barrier for the filling, preventing it from seeping out and ensuring structural integrity. For an extra layer of flavor and moisture, consider lightly warming the tortillas before assembly to make them more pliable. Don't overcrowd the skillet when browning chicken to allow for proper caramelization. For an elevated finish, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro along with the scallions can add vibrant color and herbaceous notes. Adjust salt and spice levels, especially chili powder and cumin, to personal preference after the mixture has simmered slightly.