Mexican Lasagne

Experience the bold and vibrant flavors of Mexico with this delightful Mexican Lasagne. This fusion dish takes the comforting layers of lasagna and infuses them with the zesty and spicy essence of Mexican cuisine. Each bite is a symphony of tastes, featuring seasoned beef mince, colorful vegetables, hearty black beans, and gooey melted cheese. The combination of regular flour tortillas and mild tomato salsa adds a unique twist to this classic favorite, making it an exciting and satisfying meal for the whole family.

PREP 15 MINS

COOK 45 MINS

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 x 375g jar mild tomato salsa
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 750g beef mince
• 35g sachet taco seasoning
• 1 x 400g can diced tomatoes
• 1 x 250g packet microwave white rice, heated
• 1 red capsicum, chopped
• 1 x 420g can corn kernels, rinsed
• 1 x 400g can black beans, rinsed
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 9 regular flour tortillas
• 3 cups (270g) Perfect Italiano™ 4 Cheese Melt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C / 180°C fan-forced. Grease a rectangular ovenproof dish (30cm x 20cm, with a capacity of 10 cups). Spread half of the salsa evenly over the base of the prepared dish.
2. In a large non-stick frying pan, heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes or until it becomes soft. Add the beef mince and cook, breaking up any lumps with a spoon, for approximately 5 minutes or until it’s nicely browned. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for another 30 seconds to release its fragrant aroma. Add the canned diced tomatoes, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the heated rice and remove the pan from the heat.
3. In a second non-stick frying pan, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red capsicum and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes or until it becomes tender. Stir in the corn kernels, rinsed black beans, and sliced spring onions. Remove the pan from the heat.
4. Start assembling the Mexican Lasagne. Place 3 tortillas over the base of the prepared dish to cover it entirely. Top the tortillas with half of the prepared beef mince mixture, followed by one-third of the corn mixture and one-third of the 4 Cheese Melt. Place another 3 tortillas on top of this layer, then add the remaining beef mince mixture, half of the remaining corn mixture, and half of the remaining 4 Cheese Melt. Finally, add the remaining 3 tortillas.
5. Spread the tortillas with the remaining tomato salsa, and then top with the remaining corn mixture. Sprinkle the top layer with the remaining 4 Cheese Melt. Bake the Mexican Lasagne in the preheated oven for approximately 35 minutes or until it turns golden brown and bubbly.
6. Once the Mexican Lasagne is ready, remove it from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures a perfect serving consistency.

Indulge in the delightful layers of flavors and textures that this Mexican Lasagne has to offer. Serve it as a wholesome and comforting family dinner or as a crowd-pleasing dish at gatherings and celebrations. The combination of traditional lasagna elements with a Mexican twist will surely captivate everyone’s taste buds. Enjoy the fiesta of flavors in this unique and satisfying Mexican Lasagne! Bon appétit!