The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Mexican Lasagna recipe is loaded with stacked tortillas, seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, corn, black beans, refried beans, and cheese. It’s a freezer-friendly meal that’s an easy weeknight dinner.
This meal serves eight for just $1.60 per serving. However, it costs $12.83 to make the entire meal.
Make these Instant Pot Refried Beans first to use in this recipe and serve as a side to the Mexican Lasagna. This Spanish Rice also makes a great side for this meal. For the perfect dessert to compliment this meal, we recommend our Shortcut Fried Ice Cream.
For a fun twist on traditional Italian Lasagna, you must try this Mexican Lasagna! This dish is sometimes known as Mexican Casserole, Taco lasagna, Stacked Enchiladas, or Mexican Pile.
Whatever you call it, we call it delicious! Mexican Lasagna is layered with flour tortillas, shredded cheese, black and refried beans, corn, and ground beef.
The layers are perfectly cheesy, saucy, and flavorful. We make Mexican food at least one night a week, and this is a great option for something a little different that everyone will love.
This dish is a total crowd-pleaser that you can even make ahead! Try this Mexican Lasagna recipe tonight, and you will have a new family favorite!
Ingredients and Cost
RECIPE COST: $12.83
PRICE PER SERVING: $1.60
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil – $0.14
- 2 large garlic cloves – $0.10
- 1 pound lean ground beef – $3.01
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning – $0.14
- 1 small yellow onion – $0.31
- 2 (10 oz) cans Rotel – $1.96
- 15 oz can Southwest corn – $1.68
- 12 (8-inch) flour tortillas – $2.05
- 15 oz can black beans – $0.58
- 16 oz can refried beans – $1.00
- 3 cups shredded cheese – $1.86
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Then spray the baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Next, cook the filling. Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes.
- Assemble the lasagna by repeating layers of tortillas, beans, cheese, and meat mixture. End with a layer of tortillas and cheese.
- Finally, bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with the toppings of your choice.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Our suggestions for toppings include tomato slices, cilantro, lettuce, sour cream, and avocado slices.
- Instead of ground beef you can use canned chicken or our Bulk Instant Pot Shredded Chicken.
- You can make this vegetarian by leaving out the meat and using two cans of black beans and two cans of refried beans instead.
Storage Tips
Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products and meat in them, you shouldn’t leave this dish out for longer than 2 hours.
Store: Leftovers can be stored in a covered dish for up to three days in the fridge.
Freeze: Freeze this Mexican Lasagna before cooking it. Wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for 2-3 months.
Cook From Frozen: Unwrap the lasagna and place just the foil back on. Place the lasagna in a 375 degree F oven. Cook for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for 10 more minutes.
Cook’s Tools
- 13×9-inch baking dish
- measuring cups
- cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- measuring spoons
- large skillet
- wooden mixing spoon
What are popular Mexican dishes?
Some of our favorites include the following:
- Taco Soup
- Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
- Walking Tacos
- Taco Rice Casserole
- Sheet Pan Fajitas
- Machaca Burritos
- Taco Pizza
- Navajo Tacos
- Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Have your child help layer the tortillas in the baking dish. They can also sprinkle on the cheese.
Ages 4-5: Your little one can help pour in the ingredients for the meat mixture.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child to use a meat masher for cooking the meat. They can also add in the remaining ingredients to help make the meat mixture.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
If you buy tortillas when they are on sale, you can put some packages in the freezer to pull out when you are ready to use them.
More $15 recipes:
- American Goulash
- Cindy’s Easy Sausage Gumbo
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Easy Beef Chili
- Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Homemade Chicken Fingers
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
- One Pan Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice
- Pantry Crock-pot White Chicken Chili
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Skillet Lasagna
- Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
- Taco Rice Casserole
Mexican Lasagna
Equipment
- 13×9-inch baking dish
- measuring cups
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- Measuring spoons
- large skillet
- Wooden mixing spoon
Ingredients
MEXICAN LASAGNA:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 10 oz cans Rotel
- 15 oz can Southwest corn drained
- 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained well
- 12 8 inch flour tortillas
- 16 oz can refried beans
- 3 cups shredded cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
TOPPINGS:
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Green onions
- Avocado
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
COOK FILLING:
- Heat olive oil to a large skillet and cook ground beef until almost all browned.
- Add onion and cook until the beef is completely browned.
- Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Stir in taco seasoning until well combined.
- Add Rotel tomatoes, corn, and black beans and stir until well combined.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until all the flavors are combined.
ASSEMBLE:
- Layer tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping slightly and cutting to fit if necessary.
- Spread a layer of refried beans on top of the tortillas.
- Add ¼ of the cheese over the beans.
- Next, top with ⅓ of the meat mixture.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of tortillas.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
BAKE AND SERVE:
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Sandi says
Absolutely delicious…we loves the flavors.
Diana says
This was the best Mexican lasagna I have had in a long time!