Introduction: How to Make a Mexican Lasagna
Many years ago when I was a newlywed. My husband's brother and sister decided to have a contest to see who could make the best lasagna. My brother-in-law was making a 5 cheese lasagna that he was sure would win, but my sister-in-law had lived in Italy for over a year and had learned how to make authentic Italian lasagna. My husband couldn't resist the temptation to make his own version of lasagna to take to the competition. He and I created this recipe for a Mexican Lasagna and it has been a family favorite ever since.
Now that I think of it, I don't think there was a winner - just three yummy lasagnas.
Step 1: Ingredients and Supplies
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of turkey-burger
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 - 16 ounce can of re-fried beans
- 4 cups of shredded cheese (we prefer colby-jack)
- 1 pound of sour cream
- 1 - 24 ounce bottle of salsa
- 1 package of 10 soft taco size tortillas - cut in half
- 2 pound of ricotta cheese
Supplies:
- Aluminum Foil
- 13 x 9 inch casserole dish
- Large frying pan
- Rubber spatula
- 1 cup measuring cup
Step 2: Meat
Over medium-high heat, cook turkey-burger until brown.
Step 3: Taco Seasoning
Mix in taco seasoning and 1/4th cup of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Re-fried Beans
Add re-fried beans. Mix thoroughly and cook for 1 minute.
Step 5: Cheese
Remove from heat and add 2 cups cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
Step 6: Sour Cream
Stir in sour cream and mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Side Note
You can stop here and use this meat mixture as a super scrumptious bean dip.
Step 8: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 9: Prepare Your Pan
Line your pan with Aluminum foil for easier clean-up.
Step 10: Salsa
Put 1 cup of salsa in the casserole dish and spread it out so it covers the bottom of the pan. Yes, this is a very thin layer of salsa.
Step 11: Tortillas
Cover the bottom of he pan with the tortillas. Try to only overlap your tortillas once. The center piece is a quarter tortilla.
Step 12: Ricotta Cheese (My Secret Ingredient)
Using a rubber spatula, spread half of the ricotta cheese on top of the tortillas.
Step 13: Meat Mixture
Spread half (about 2 cups) of the meat mixture over the ricotta cheese.
Step 14: Salsa
Now we will start repeating ingredients - creating layers like you would find in a traditional lasagna.
Spread 1 cup of salsa on top of the meat mixture.
Step 15: Tortillas
Layer the tortillas on top of the salsa just like you did in step 11.
Step 16: Ricotta Cheese
Spread the remaining ricotta cheese on the tortillas like you did in step 12.
Step 17: Meat Mixture
Spread the remaining meat mixture on top of the ricotta cheese like you did in step 13.
Step 18: Salsa
Spread the remaining salsa on top of the meat mixture the same way you did in step 14.
Step 19: Tortillas
Lay the remaining tortillas on top of the salsa like you did in steps 11 and 15.
Step 20: Cheese
This is your final layer. Cover your lasagna with the remaining cheese.
Step 21: Baking
Cover your Lasagna with Aluminum foil and Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 22: Eat!
Enjoy your delicious Mexican Lasagna.