Taco Lasagna

Name: Taco Lasagna with Ground Beef and Rice
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 oz taco seasoning; 3/4 cup water; 1 tbsp oil; 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked; 1 (15 oz) can enchilada sauce; 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles; 3 cups beef broth; 16 corn tortillas; 1 (16 oz) can refried beans; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese; Shredded lettuce, for topping; Sour cream, for topping; Sliced jalapeños, for topping; Diced tomatoes, for topping

Taco Lasagna is a Tex-Mex casserole that layers corn tortillas with seasoned ground beef and rice, refried beans, and melted cheese for a hearty, crowd-pleasing one-dish meal.

🌍Tex-Mex 🏷️Taco lasagna 🏷️Casserole 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Cheesy 🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 oz taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp oil
1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked
1 (15 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
3 cups beef broth
16 corn tortillas
1 (16 oz) can refried beans
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
Shredded lettuce, for toppingoptional
Sour cream, for toppingoptional
Sliced jalapeños, for toppingoptional
Diced tomatoes, for toppingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Once cooked, drain off any excess grease.
2
Stir in the taco seasoning and water, and mix well.
3
Make a well in the center of the meat mixture. Add the oil and uncooked rice, and stir to toast the rice for a couple of minutes.
4
Stir in the enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, and beef broth. Mix everything together well.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, put the lid on, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
6
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
7
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, begin layering. Start with 8 corn tortillas on the bottom.
8
Spread half of the refried beans over the tortillas.
9
Add half of the beef and rice mixture, spreading it evenly.
10
Sprinkle with 2 cups of the cheese blend (1 cup cheddar, 1 cup pepper jack).
11
Repeat the layers: add the remaining 8 tortillas, the rest of the refried beans, the remaining beef and rice mixture, and top with the final 2 cups of cheese.
12
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
13
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite toppings like lettuce, sour cream, jalapeños, and tomatoes.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding taco seasoning to prevent a greasy casserole.
Layer tortillas slightly overlapping and tear them to fit gaps; this ensures even coverage and structural integrity when served.
Let the casserole rest 10 minutes after baking before cutting; this allows the layers to set and makes portioning cleaner.
Stir the rice mixture into the beef after cooking to combine flavors evenly throughout each layer.

Substitutions

Flour tortillas → corn tortillas (corn holds moisture better in wet casseroles)
Enchilada sauce → salsa or tomato sauce (adjust liquid if using thinner sauce)
Beef broth → chicken broth (flavor will be slightly lighter but works well)
Refried beans → black beans or pinto beans (adjust seasoning to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until warmed through. Freezes well up to 3 months when wrapped tightly.

Equipment

9x13 inch baking dish · large skillet for browning beef

Common Questions

Can I make Taco Lasagna ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10–15 minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.

What type of tortillas work best?

Corn tortillas are traditional and hold up better than flour tortillas when layered and baked with wet ingredients.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes. Ground turkey works well; brown it the same way and use the same seasoning and liquid ratios.

How do I know when it's done baking?

The casserole is done when the cheese is melted and bubbly around the edges and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can I freeze leftover Taco Lasagna?

Yes. Cool completely, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat covered at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.