Favorite comfort with a South-of-the-Border twist, Mexican Lasagna has the ooey gooey texture we love with a spicy bite and warming earthy flavors. Can be made regular or gluten-free!
Lasagna is a universal comfort food. Layers of soft rippling pasta, creamy ricotta cheese, ground beef in a savory tomato sauce.
This recipe for Mexican Lasagna is that AND a whole lot more. Spicy chorizo sausage, black beans, fire roasted tomatoes and green chilies. That’s just the start of this cheesy delight.
It’s all the things you love about Mexican food AND lasagna rolled up into one comfort food favorite.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Lasagna Noodles. Regular or gluten-free noodles can be used.
Roasted Green Chilies or Hatch Chilies. Use freshly roasted chopped green chilies OR canned fire roasted green chilies. Anaheim chile peppers are recommended.
Mexican Chorizo Sausage. Use loose or bulk chorizo not the hard Spanish chorizo.
Mexican Cheese blend. Prepared cheese blend or homemade can be used. To make your own blend, finely grate equal parts of mild cheddar, Monterey jack and Colby cheeses.
What are Hatch Green Chilies?
Hatch Green Chilies are grown in the Hatch Valley in New Mexico.
They are closest to an Anaheim chile, slightly less spicy than a jalapeno. They are seasonal and harvested between August and September.
You can find canned roasted Hatch Chilies at the grocery store in the ethnic food section. They are also available to order from places like the The Hatch Chile Store.
Pro Tip: Don’t Pre-Boil the Lasagna Noodles!
Our method ensures soft, perfectly cooked lasagna noodles every time without boiling the pasta first. Details in recipe card below.
How to Store Lasagna Leftovers
Refrigerator
Fully cool the lasagna, seal the top with plastic wrap. Cooling first prevents the lasagna from becoming soggy. Store for 3 to 5 days.
Freezer
- Fully cool lasagna. It can also be chilled in the refrigerator to make slicing easier.
- Cut into individual portions.
- Double wrap with plastic wrap.
- Place the portions in the freezer in a single layer to freeze.
- Once frozen they can be placed together in a freezer plastic bag or container for additional protection.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Leftover Lasagna
Reheat lasagna in the microwave in single portion servings. For frozen lasagna thaw in the microwave (on Defrost cycle) or in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes You’ll Love!
- Easy Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Spicy Shredded Pork Breakfast Tostadas
- Mexican Green Chile Steak Soup (Cadillo)
- Slow Cooker Carnitas & Carnitas Tacos
Recipe
Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 package Lasagna Noodles (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- ½ large Yellow Onion , peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup canned or freshly chopped Roasted Green Chilies , skinned/seeded chopped (Hatch Chilies recommended)
- ½ pound Lean (95% fat free) Ground Beef
- ¾ pound fresh ground Chorizo Sausage Mexican Chorizo not Spanish Chorizo
- 1 15-ounce can Black Beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 25.5-ounce jar Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup Medium-heat Salsa
- 1 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon ground Black Pepper
- 1 15-ounce container Ricotta Cheese
- 2 ½ cups Mexican Cheese blend
- 1 ¼ cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1/3 cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large skillet heat the oil over high heat and add onions. Stir while cooking until onions are translucent.
- Add the chopped green or Hatch Chilies; sauté two minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and chorizo sausage. Using a spatula break up meat into smaller pieces while sautéing. Cook until no red or raw pieces of meat are left.
- Add the black beans; stir to combine.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, salsa, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to fully combine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
Assembling the Mexican Lasagna
- Spoon one third of the sauce mixture into the bottom of 13 x 9 x 3 inch baking pan. Spread to evenly cover the bottom of the baking dish.
- On top of the sauce, place four uncooked lasagna noodles (there will be space between them). Note: I place three noodles lengthwise and break the fourth to fit horizontally in the spot between the end of the other noodles and edge of the baking dish.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese on the noodles (will be thin coverage). Sprinkle evenly with 1 ¼ cups Mexican Cheese blend.
- Spread another 1/3 of the sauce on top of the cheese and repeat Steps 2 and 3 above.
- Place last four noodles on top of layered lasagna and cover with the remaining one third of the sauce.
- Gently pour the 1/3 cup hot water around the inside edges of the baking dish (between the noodles and inside edge of the baking dish).
Cooking the Lasagna
- Cover tightly with two pieces of heavy duty foil. Bake for 50 minutes.
- Remove the lasagna from oven and remove the foil. Cover with 1 ¼ cups cheddar cheese and place back in the oven to cook uncovered an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published: September 7, 2014
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for new gluten free recipes to try. I will have to add this Mexican Lasagna with Hatch Chilies to my meal plan for next week. I am sure it will be a big hit.
Kathy says
That looks really good. I can not wait to try this out. I normally make regular lasagna, but this looks amazing.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love spicy twist on such a classic recipe. My husband would love me forever if I made this for him!
Amy Desrosiers says
Lasagna is one of my favorite foods that my mom use to make. I love how you played on a traditional lasagna. I would love to try this!
Kristin says
This looks so great, what a delicious and easy way to use the hatch chilled.
Dawn Lopez says
Mexican Lasagna sounds like a dish my whole family could enjoy. I’ve never cooked with Hatch Chilies before but I’ve been told the flavor is really great. I think we could stand a little heat in our lasagna!
Liz Mays says
I could do with a Mexican comfort meal and this sounds really good. I’d definitely like it with some heat!
Rach Ferrucci says
Wow as an Italian I would never think to switch a lasagna up to Mexican but this sounds and looks delicious. I may omit the ricotta and stick with Mexican cheese but I’m totally trying this for football
Vera Sweeney says
I cannot wait to make this! I love lasagna, but I’ve never tried this kind of a variation on it before. Thanks for another great recipe!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I love this twist on lasagna! Those southwestern flavors and a bit of heat sound perfect to me!