Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (2024)

Taco Lasagnais made with taco meat, layers of tortillas, and lots of cheese. This casserole is the perfect combination of Mexican-inspired ingredients, and it also freezes well. It is an easy meal to make for the whole family to enjoy!

This recipe is hearty, cheesy, and delicious. The best thing is that it tastes like a huge burrito. Make sure to serve it topped with sour cream, salsa, and some guacamole for a Mexican feast. We love Mexican-inspired food, and we have a full collection of them on our blog. Make sure to try our very easy-to-make Taco Pasta and also thisInstant Pot Taco Soup.

Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (1)

Best Taco Lasagna

This casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food that my family loves.My most ordered dish at any Mexican place would definitely be a taco plate. Another favorite meal of mine is, of course, lasagna. So combining the two cuisines together in one easy-to-make dish is a dream come true.

This Mexican lasagna combines beef cooked with chunky and spicy salsa, homemade taco seasoning, tortillas, and lots of cheese. I added some veggies into the mix, such as onion, some garlic, and green bell pepper, to lift up the flavors in the dish. Also, to make it a more traditional and authentic Mexican meal, I added a blend of Mexican cheese, and beans.

In addition, the casserole turns out perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful, and ready in just about one hour, from start to finish. This dish can be served with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, avocado, salsa, fresh cilantro, or some chopped fresh jalapenos for a spicier kick.

Another fun part of this meal is that instead of lasagna noodles, you use flour or corn tortillas. In addition, the recipe is very versatile and you can use whatever veggies or ground meat you have on hand!

Reader’s Feedback:

This recipe is another favorite with our readers! Just check the great feedback that it gets:

“This was a very very delicious meal. My daughters and my son destroyed this dish which makes me happy. Thank you”

“I made this tonight with ground Turkey and medium salsa. I skipped the cornstarch and water. It was delicious!!! Not soggy and set up really well. Definitely going to make it again. Thanks for the recipe.”

“This is a great twist on lasagna! I love Mexican flavors and this sounds delicious. It’s nice to try a new variation on one of our fave meals!”

Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (3)

Ingredients Needed:

Taco Beef:

  • Ground beef
  • Veggies: onion, garlic, green bell peppers, and diced green chiles.
  • Salsa: we prefer to use store-bought as it saves time.
  • Seasonings: salt, pepper, and your favorite taco seasoning.
  • Cornstarch
  • Water

Other layers:

  • Tortillas: Flour tortillas or corn tortillas.
  • Beans: Refried beans and also pinto or black beans.
  • Cheese: We use a Mexican cheese blend.

Topping:

  • Salsa
  • Mexican cheese blend

How do you make a Taco Lasagna recipe from scratch:

  1. Prepare the casserole dish: For perfect and uniform cooking, I recommend using a9×13 non-stick baking panfor this recipe. Also, if you want to double the dish, then go with a larger casserole baking dish.
  2. Brown the beef: First, start by browning the beef in a large cast-iron skillet, until no longer pink. After that, add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, green chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning. Also, make sure to season everything with salt and pepper.
  3. Cornstarch slurry: After that, mix the cornstarch with the water until dissolved and add the mixture to the skillet. Stir, until the mixture thickens and after that remove it from heat and set aside.
  4. Assemble: Finally, start assembling it. Start with a layer of tortillas and after a layer of refried beans. Next, add the beef mixture, followed by black or pinto beans, and cheese. After that, repeat layers and top with remaining cheese and salsa.
  5. Bake: Lastly, bake it at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted and bubbly, for about 30 minutes.
  6. Serve: Let it rest for 10-15 minutes and after that slice and serve it with your favorite toppings.

Recipe Variations:

  • Meat: While I used ground beef in this Taco Lasagna. However, you can easily swap the meat by using ground chicken, ground turkey, or even sausage.
  • Vegetarian: To make it vegetarian, skip the meat altogether and use more refried beans, canned beans, and veggies.
  • Spicier: Alternatively, make it spicer by using a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce or more chiles.
  • Gluten-Free: Also, this recipe is easy to make gluten-free, just use corn tortillas and you are good.
  • Cheese: Another option is to use your favorite cheese, like cheddar, Fontina, Gouda, or Pepper Jack cheese for a spicy kick.

Topping Suggestions:

  • Bacon crumbs or chopped bacon
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Chopped green onion
  • Parsley or cilantro
  • A dollop of sour cream
  • Crema Fresca
  • Fresh salsa
  • Chopped jalapenos
  • Guacamole
  • Crumbled cotija cheese
Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (4)

How to freeze a lasagna:

Freeze:

  • First, let it cool to room temperature, after that, it can be frozen in a freezer-safe dish. Actually, most glass or ceramic casserole dishes are fine for this purpose.
  • If it has been but into individual pieces, refrigerate it first, for the layers to settle. It makes wrapping them easier.
  • Next, cover the dish with freezer-safe plastic wrap. Make sure to wrap the plastic around the entire dish, to make sure there are no gaps in the wrap where air could get in and cause freezer burn. Also, cover well in aluminum foil.
  • In addition, the slices can be individually wrapped in freezer-safe plastic wrap and foil or added to freezer-safe bags. This is a great alternative for those who don’t want to thaw an entire lasagna or want to cook smaller food portions.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months for the best flavor. But, it will keep good for 6 months or more.

Thaw:

  • The night before you intend to have it for dinner, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge and thaw it overnight.
  • Once thawed cook it or reheat if it has been already cooked.
  • If you try to bake it while it’s still frozen or partially frozen, it will cook unevenly and it won’t be as good.

More Mexican Recipes:

  • Cheesy Instant Pot Taco Pasta [VIDEO]
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
  • Mexican Beef Stew Recipe [Video]
  • Mexican Pot Roast Recipe [Video]

What is a Taco Lasagna?

This is a comfort casserole dish that uses corn tortilla in combination with ground beef, taco seasoning, cheese, and veggies. All layered together then baked till bubbly and golden brown.

Recipe Tips:

  • Use quality ground beef. This will make the dish more flavorful.
  • Also, to shave off a few calories, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. In addition, I would recommend using reduced-fat cheese.
  • For a healthier version, try my zucchini lasagna. It is equally delicious.
  • For a fresh burst of vibrant flavor and color, toss a palmful of minced cilantro, fresh basil, or parsley on top of this casserole before serving.
  • Similarly, you could use reduced-fat cheese. Also, you can use your preferred cheese in this recipe.
  • Add more or fewer veggies upon discretion. I like to use one green bell pepper, but a cup of zucchini would work great as well.
  • While I have used tortillas instead of lasagna noodles, you can also make this Taco Lasagna with traditional lasagna noodles.
  • Feel free to use your favorite cheeses or a mix of a few varieties. Just go with what you like the most.

Taco Lasagna Recipe

  • Prep Time40 MIN
  • Cook Time30 MIN
  • Servings 8 slices

Ingredients

  • 12 flour or corn tortillas 8 inch ones
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black or pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 cans (16 ounces) refried beans refried beans
  • 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Beef Layer:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 can (7 ounces) diced green chiles
  • 3 cups salsa
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cornstarch Slurry:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons water

Topping:

  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Follow me on Instagram

Follow

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place a baking rack in the middle of the oven.

  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch deep casserole dish with cooking spray and set it aside.

Beef Layer:

  • Place a large skillet or cast iron pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot add 2 tablespoons of oil to it.

  • Next, add the beef to the skillet and cook unmoved for 1 minute, so it gets a nice sear. After that, use a wooden spoon to break the beef.

  • Cook stirring for about 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Drain grease from the pan, leaving only about 2 tablespoons.

  • Add diced onion, diced bell pepper, minced garlic, diced green chiles, 3 cups of salsa, and taco seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Stir and bring to a simmer, simmer for 2 about two minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes.

Cornstarch Slurry:

  • Mix cornstarch with water until cornstarch is dissolved and add to the beef mixture. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Make sure you stir, to avoid the beef from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

  • Remove the skillet from heat and set it aside.

Assembling the lasagna:

  • Add two tortillas to the prepared pan. Cut 1 tortilla into quarters and add each quarter to the corners of the pan, to cover any empty spaces there. Cut 1 tortilla in half, and add each half to each side of the pan, straight side touching the pan and covering the empty space.

  • Add half of the refried beans and carefully spread them on top of the tortillas, trying to avoid moving the tortillas.

  • Add half of the beef mixture and spread it evenly.

  • Add half of the black or pinto beans, on top of the beef mixture.

  • Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese.

  • Repeat with another layer of tortillas, remaining refried beans, remaining beef mixture, remaining black or pinto beans, and 1 1/2 cups cheese.

  • Top with another layer of tortillas, spread 1 cup of salsa over the final layer of tortillas, and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese.

Bake:

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

  • Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let the lasagna cool for 30-40 minutes, before slicing and serving.

  • Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Nutrition Facts

Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (9)
Best Taco Lasagna Recipe [VIDEO] (2024)

FAQs

What makes lasagna taste better? ›

Five Secrets of Building the Ultimate Lasagna
  1. Secret #1: No-Boil Noodles Actually Taste Better. ...
  2. Secret #2: For a Rich Sauce, Use Pork Sausage Instead of Ground Beef. ...
  3. Secret #3: Fresh Mozzarella Actually Makes a Difference.
Jan 6, 2015

How can I improve my lasagne? ›

10 tips for the perfect lasagne
  1. Up the texture with chunky meat.
  2. Add pancetta or bacon.
  3. Squeeze in some ketchup.
  4. Don't be shy with the wine.
  5. Try a wild mushroom white sauce for added luxury.
  6. Use three types of cheese.
  7. Choose egg pasta sheets.
  8. Stop the slop (add less sauce)

How to make box lasagna better? ›

After thawing the lasagna according to the package instructions, cook it about 25 degrees higher than directed. Then, add some fresh sautéed vegetables about three-quarters of the way through. Mushrooms, asparagus, and bell peppers are all tasty ideas.

How do you add Flavour to lasagna? ›

You can add fresh, chopped, deseeded red chillies to taste, or a teaspoon from a jar of fresh chilli paste or ½ a teaspoon or so of chilli powder. For extra heat and yet another flavour dimension, add a couple of dashes of Tabasco.

What not to do when making lasagna? ›

Too much between one layer and another will keep you from ever getting a perfect slice. Too little and all you'll taste is pasta. Do not put large pieces of vegetables or meat in lasagna for the same reason as above. To get a perfect lasagna, the filling should be finely sliced or even creamy.

Should lasagna sauce be thick or runny? ›

So, to achieve the perfect lasagna, the consistency of the sauce is absolutely essential. Both the ragù and béchamel sauce should be dense and creamy. Avoid sauces that are too liquid and slide to the bottom of the dish. A thicker consistency of the sauce will allow the pasta to be flavoured in the best possible way.

Is it better to let lasagna sit before baking? ›

Let the lasagna rest before cooking it

For cooking patience is an excellent ally, so when you have finished composing your lasagna, let it rest for about 40 minutes before baking it; in this way the pasta will absorb all the flavors of the condiment and the cooking will be more hom*ogeneous and the taste richer.

Is it better to cover lasagna while baking? ›

If uncovered, the prolonged exposure to heat will quickly dry out your lasagna, no matter how much sauce you've added. Make sure to always add a layer of tin foil over your baking dish, which will trap the moisture inside while still allowing the dish to cook properly.

What is the lasagna noodle trick? ›

Place your dry noodles in the water, making sure they're all equally submerged, and let them soak for about 20 minutes. Let this go while making your sauce or preheating the oven, and it shaves off all the extra time you'd spend boiling them.

Do you put meat sauce at the bottom of a lasagna? ›

Line the bottom of the baking pan with 4 cooked lasagna noodles, overlapping them. Spread the ricotta mixture first then the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle grated mozzarella and top with another three noodles. Repeat layering the ricotta and meat sauce with the cheese.

Why should you not cover lasagna in a metal pan with foil? ›

Aluminum foil is one electrode, and the pan, often steel or different alloy of aluminum, is the second electrode. This causes the aluminum foil to pit and dissolve, and you shouldn't ingest gravy filled with metal ions”.

Should you overlap lasagna noodles? ›

BUILDING YOUR LASAGNA

Coat the bottom of pan with a couple ladles of sauce Layer noodles length-wise in pan, making sure to get in corners and overlap each other.

Why add tomato paste to lasagna? ›

A good tomato paste helps to thicken but also adds a sweet and savory umami flavor. Lean Ground Beef: Lean beef adds a robust and hearty meatiness that's essential in a classic lasagna recipe.

Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›

The secret ingredient? Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù. Use a deep dish and find out how to layer a lasagne.

What do you put on the bottom layer of lasagna? ›

Start by spreading a layer of your tomato-based sauce (either a plain tomato sauce or your pre-made ragù) on the bottom of your dish. Next, add a single layer of pasta sheets. Then, add a layer of white sauce, followed by another single layer of pasta sheets.

Why is my lasagne tasteless? ›

The secret to getting flavour into lasagne is in the meat sauce. I mix beef and lamb mince and make tomato sauce by liquidising tinned tomatoes (cherry are best) .. adding them to finely chopped fried onions, salt, pepper and herbs. Don't skimp on the seasoning.

Why does my lasagne taste bland? ›

Ricotta in lasagna makes everything taste bland, in my opinion. 1 1/4 tsp salt for 12 servings of lasagna is not enough salt. See how the leftovers taste tomorrow -- sometimes the flavors just need to come together overnight in the fridge.

How to make the best lasagna Gordon Ramsay? ›

Gordon Ramsay Lasagna Recipe
  1. Meat. • 300 g Beef, ground.
  2. Produce. • 2 cloves Garlic. • 1/2 Onion, medium. ...
  3. Canned Goods. • 1 tbsp Tomato paste.
  4. Condiments. • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
  5. Pasta & Grains. • 6 sheets Lasagna pasta.
  6. Baking & Spices. • 25 g Flour. • 1 pinch Nutmeg.
  7. Oils & Vinegars. • 2 tbsp Olive oil.
  8. Dairy. • 25 g Butter.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5912

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.