Healthy Mexican Lasagna Recipe

Mexican Lasagna is comforting healthy Mexican food at its finest! You may also know it as Mexican casserole, stacked enchiladas, or taco lasagna. No matter its name, it features tortillas, layers of meat, veggies, and cheese. Baked in the oven, it’s hearty, savory, and oh-so-good! 

What is Mexican Lasagna? 

Not exactly Mexican food, Mexican lasagna is a Tex-Mex recipe that combines classic lasagna with Mexican-inspired flavors. Instead of lasagna noodles, we use tortillas to form the base of layers. 

Then, ground meat, veggies, and cheese stack on top of each other for a savory, high-protein casserole. It’s like all your favorite meals rolled into one crowd-pleasing dish! 

Ingredients You Need

This recipe is a healthified version of a Mexican lasagna recipe handed down by my mom. I kid you not, the name on her recipe card was “Really Great Mexican Bake,” but she wasn’t joking! 

Here’s what you need: 

• Meat – I prefer to use lean ground beef, but ground turkey, beef, venison, or even ground chicken will work. 
• Fresh Veggies – Use a bell pepper and a white or yellow onion. 
• Chili Beans – These are seasoned pinto beans. Find them in the canned section of your local grocery store. 
• Tomato Sauce – This acts as the “marinara sauce” adding rich flavor and combining the ingredients. 
• Chopped Green Chiles – These add just a touch of spice. Find them in the Mexican section of your local grocery store. 
• Seasonings – Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper enhance the savory flavor and add just a touch of spice. 
• Tortillas – Use any soft, flour tortillas you like best! If needed, opt for gluten-free varieties to keep this recipe gluten-free. 
• Cheese – Use Cheddar cheese, Mexican blend, Pepper Jack, or any variety you have on hand. 
• Toppings – Feel free to experiment with any toppings you like best! I use black olives, lettuce sour cream, salsa, and avocado (or guacamole)!  

Full ingredients, instructions, and nutrition information in the recipe card below. 

Substitutions and Variations

• Seasonings – Swap the individual seasonings, and taco seasoning instead. 
• Tortillas – Feel free to swap the flour tortillas with corn tortillas. 
• Tomato Sauce – Enchilada sauce also tastes great.
• Mix-Ins – Incorporate more ingredients to make this recipe even more filling! Some great options include corn, black beans, jalapeños, or chopped tomatoes. 

How to Make Healthy Mexican Lasagna

Before you begin, preheat the oven, and grease a square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 

1. Brown the meat. Heat a large skillet on the stovetop. Then, add in meat, veggies, beans, tomato sauce, chilis, and seasonings. Then, stir to combine, and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally. 
2. Assemble the lasagna. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with the beef mixture. Then, layer tortillas on top. Repeat, until you use all the ingredients, ending with a layer of meat. 
3. Top the casserole. Sprinkle the top of the dish with cheese. Then, add all your favorite toppings. 
4. Bake. Transfer the baking dish to the oven. Bake until the cheese melts and the meat mixture is brown and bubbling around the edges. 
5. Cool. Allow the casserole to cool slightly. Then, slice it into pieces, add your cold toppings, and enjoy! 

Can I Make This Recipe in Advance? 

Yes, just keep in mind that the tortillas will be softer once baked. To make this healthy Mexican lasagna in advance, combine all the ingredients in the baking dish. 

Cover the dish with foil, and store it in the fridge for up to one day. Let the lasagna come to room temperature. Then, bake as the recipe card states, and enjoy! 

How to Store and Reheat

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. 
• Freeze the lasagna for up to three months. 
• Thaw your recipe in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the microwave or oven just until heated through.