If you are looking to shake up your standard Tuesday night taco routine, this Cheesy Mexican Taco Lasagna is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. We have combined all the bold, savory flavors of a loaded beef taco and layered them lasagna-style using soft flour tortillas instead of pasta sheets. Stacked with seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, refried beans, and a mountain of melted cheese, it is warm, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Ultimate Fusion: The perfect marriage between classic Italian layering and bold Mexican street-taco flavor.
- Family-Friendly Feast: It slices beautifully into hearty squares, making it an easy dinner to serve a hungry family.
- Endless Ways to Top: You can set up a “topping bar” with sour cream, guac, and jalapeños so everyone can customize their own slice.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 700g) lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28g) taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 can (16 oz / 450g) refried beans
- 1 jar (16 oz / 450g) of your favorite salsa
- 1 can (4 oz / 113g) diced green chiles (optional, for extra flavor)
- 6 to 8 large flour tortillas (burrito size, or enough to create your layers)
- 3 cups Mexican blend cheese (or a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack), shredded
- Fresh cilantro and green onions, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Brown the Beef
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook until completely browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Season and Simmer
Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir in the taco seasoning packet and ½ cup of water. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the beef is well-coated. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce and Beans
In a medium bowl, stir together the refried beans, jarred salsa, and diced green chiles. Mixing them together makes the beans easier to spread and infuses them with delicious salsa flavor.
Step 4: Layer the Lasagna
- The Base: Spread a thin layer of the bean and salsa mixture onto the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Place a layer of tortillas over the top (cut them to fit the edges of the pan if necessary).
- The Meat & Cheese: Spread half of the seasoned ground beef over the tortillas, followed by a generous layer of the bean-salsa mixture, and a cup of shredded cheese.
- Repeat: Place another layer of tortillas on top, followed by the remaining beef, more bean-salsa mixture, and another cup of cheese.
- The Top: Finish with one final layer of tortillas, spread any remaining sauce over them, and blanket the top with the rest of the shredded cheese.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly
Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil (make sure it doesn’t touch the cheese!) and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, golden-brown, and bubbling around the edges.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing so the layers hold their shape, then garnish with fresh cilantro and green onions!
💡 Quick Variations to Try
- Go Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for a mix of black beans, sweet corn, and diced bell peppers.
- Turn Up the Heat: Stir a few tablespoons of chopped pickled jalapeños or hot hot sauce into the meat mixture before layering.