Taco lasagna Recipe
Taco lasagna combines all the bold flavors of classic tacos with the comforting layers of a traditional Italian lasagna. Featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, gooey cheese, and zesty salsa, this family-friendly casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks. The best part? It’s easy to make ahead and reheats beautifully.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
For the Lasagna Assembly
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Prep the Oven and Noodles: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Season the Beef: Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water to the skillet with the beef. Stir well, then simmer until thickened and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside.
- Prepare the Refried Beans and Salsa Layer: In a small bowl, stir together the refried beans and salsa until smooth and combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the bean-salsa mixture on the bottom. Layer 4 cooked lasagna noodles on top, slightly overlapping. Spread half of the taco beef evenly over the noodles, followed by half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella.
- Add Sour Cream and Toppings: Gently spread half of the sour cream over the cheese layer using a spatula. Sprinkle with half of the green onions, black olives, diced tomatoes, and cilantro.
- Repeat Layers: Add another 4 noodles, the remaining bean-salsa mixture, the rest of the beef, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, sour cream, and toppings in the same order. Finish with the final 4 noodles and remaining cheese. Sprinkle garlic powder and onion powder evenly over the top.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the taco lasagna rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with more cilantro and green onions if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- You can make the taco lasagna a day ahead and reheat it in the oven before serving.
- Feel free to add jalapeños, pickled onions, or extra salsa for added flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: taco lasagna, layered taco bake, Mexican lasagna, Tex-Mex casserole, ground beef casserole, family dinner, comfort food