Taco Lasagna Mexican Layered Comfort (Printable Version)

Saucy beef, cheese, and noodles come together in a Mexican-inspired layered comfort classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 680 g ground beef or ground turkey
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade mix (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt)
05 - 120 ml water
06 - 425 g canned refried beans (optional)
07 - 285 g canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
08 - 425 g canned tomato sauce
09 - 15 ml olive oil

→ Layers

10 - 9 to 12 cooked lasagna noodles or soft flour tortillas
11 - 340 g shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
12 - 375 g ricotta cheese or cottage cheese (optional creamy component)

→ Toppings

13 - Sour cream, to serve
14 - Fresh diced tomatoes, to serve
15 - Chopped cilantro or parsley
16 - Sliced jalapeños or hot sauce (optional)

# Steps To Follow:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until well browned. Drain excess fat.
02 - Add taco seasoning and water to the meat mixture. Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies and tomato sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken.
03 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Grease a 23 x 33 cm baking dish lightly with oil.
04 - Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture on the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange 3 cooked lasagna noodles or tortillas over the sauce. Top with meat filling, a portion of ricotta or cottage cheese if using, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Repeat layering for 3 to 4 layers, finishing with remaining meat and generous cheese on top.
05 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
06 - Garnish each portion with sour cream, diced tomatoes, herbs, and jalapeños or hot sauce as desired.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Ensure noodles are cooked al dente for best texture and prevent overbaking. Letting the lasagna rest helps it slice neatly.