Taco Lasagna
This creative fusion dish brings together the best of Mexican and Italian cuisine! Layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, black beans, and creamed corn nestled between soft flour tortillas. Topped with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream, this crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or when you want tacos in lasagna form!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
🌮 Best of Both Worlds
Combines the comfort of lasagna with bold taco flavors for a fusion dish everyone will devour!
👨👩👧👦 Crowd-Pleaser
Perfect for feeding a hungry family or potluck crowd - makes 8 generous servings.
🎨 Customize It
Add your favorite toppings and make it as mild or spicy as you like!
❄️ Freezer-Friendly
Make ahead and freeze for easy weeknight dinners. Perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.75-oz) can creamed corn
- 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 8 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for greasing
- Sour cream, for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
- Diced tomatoes, for serving
- Chopped red onion, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Notes & Tips
Ground Beef: 85% lean works perfectly - provides great flavor without being too greasy. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Tortillas: Flour tortillas work best for this recipe as they soften nicely when baked. Corn tortillas can be too crisp.
Cheese: The combo of sharp cheddar and pepper jack gives perfect flavor and melt. Feel free to use all cheddar if you prefer less heat.
Creamed Corn: Adds sweetness and moisture to balance the spices. Don't skip this ingredient!
Black Beans: Make sure to drain and rinse well to avoid excess liquid in the lasagna.
Spices: Adjust chili powder and cumin to your taste. For less heat, reduce chili powder by half.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Vegetables: Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Season the Mixture: Stir in chili powder, cumin, flour, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices. Mix in drained black beans and stir to combine.
- Layer 1 - Bottom: Place 2 tortillas in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly to cover the base.
- Layer 2 - Filling: Spread half of the beef mixture over the tortillas. Spoon half of the creamed corn over the beef. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mixed cheddar and pepper jack cheese.
- Layer 3 - Repeat: Add 2 more tortillas, then the remaining beef mixture, remaining creamed corn, and 1 more cup of mixed cheese.
- Layer 4 - Top: Place the final 2 tortillas on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups of cheese, covering evenly.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Top with dollops of sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and red onion. Serve hot and enjoy!
Delicious Variations
🌱 Vegetarian Version
Replace beef with extra beans, diced zucchini, and mushrooms for a hearty veggie version.
🔥 Extra Spicy
Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture and use all pepper jack cheese. Top with hot sauce!
🍗 Chicken Taco Lasagna
Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef. Mix with salsa verde for amazing flavor.
🥑 Loaded Taco Style
Top with guacamole, sliced olives, pickled jalapeños, and extra cheese for the ultimate experience.
🌮 Breakfast Version
Use breakfast sausage, add scrambled eggs to layers, and serve with salsa for brunch!
🧀 Three-Cheese Fiesta
Add Monterey Jack to the cheddar and pepper jack mix for extra creamy, melty goodness.
Storage Tips & FAQ
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or covered in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
Freezer: Assemble the lasagna but don't bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour? Flour tortillas work better as they soften nicely when baked. Corn tortillas can become too crispy or crack.
My lasagna is watery. What went wrong? Make sure to drain the black beans well and don't skip the flour in the meat mixture - it helps absorb moisture. Let it rest 10 minutes before cutting.
Can I make this ahead and bake later? Absolutely! Assemble completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Perfect for entertaining!
What can I serve with taco lasagna? A simple green salad, Mexican rice, refried beans, chips and salsa, or a fresh corn salad all pair wonderfully.
How do I prevent the tortillas from getting soggy? Don't overload the layers with too much liquid ingredients, and make sure to drain beans well. The flour in the beef mixture also helps.
What to Serve Alongside
Fresh Toppings
Sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, diced avocado, fresh lime wedges
Side Dishes
Mexican rice, refried beans, black beans, Spanish rice, cilantro lime rice
Salads
Taco salad, Mexican street corn salad, simple lettuce and tomato, cucumber salad
Extras
Tortilla chips, salsa, queso dip, warm flour tortillas, jalapeño poppers
Nutrition Information
Per serving (approximate, based on 8 servings)