Easy Taco Lasagna
Easy Taco Lasagna is a quick, delicious, and family-friendly dish that combines the bold flavors of tacos with the comforting layers of a cheesy lasagna. Ready in under 30 minutes, it uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients and baking in one pan for effortless cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers versatile options to customize for vegetarian, gluten-free, or spicier preferences.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using corn tortillas or gluten-free pasta)
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey (lean)
- 1/2 cup refried beans
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Layers and Base
- 9–12 no-boil lasagna noodles or soft tortillas
- 1 cup salsa or enchilada sauce
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
- Avocado slices
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey with chopped onions and minced garlic until browned. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer until the mixture thickens and becomes flavorful.
- Layer the Base: Spread a thin layer of salsa or enchilada sauce at the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and add moisture. Arrange a layer of no-boil lasagna noodles or tortillas evenly across the base.
- Add Filling Layers: Spread half of the meat mixture over the pasta or tortillas, then add dollops of refried beans and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Repeat the layering with noodles, remaining meat, beans, and cheese to build hearty, flavorful layers.
- Top and Bake: Finish with a final layer of noodles or tortillas, topped with the remaining salsa and shredded cheeses. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to brown the cheese on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Easy Taco Lasagna rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set and allow for clean, neat slicing. Serve topped with optional fresh cilantro, sour cream, jalapeños, or avocado slices as desired.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles or soft tortillas to save time and keep layers moist.
- Ensure to evenly layer taco seasoning within the meat mixture for deep flavor.
- Cover with foil during baking to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
- Allow the dish to cool before cutting to improve texture and portion integrity.
- Customize the cheese blend for varying flavors, such as using pepper jack or queso fresco.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground meat with black beans or lentils.
- To make it gluten-free, replace noodles with corn tortillas or gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: taco lasagna, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Mexican lasagna, comfort food, quick dinner, family friendly, gluten-free taco lasagna