How to Make a Mexican Lasagna

Many years ago when I was a newlywed. My husband's brother and sister decided to have a contest to see who could make the best lasagna. My brother-in-law was making a 5 cheese lasagna that he was sure would win, but my sister-in-law had lived in Italy for over a year and had learned how to make authentic Italian lasagna. My husband couldn't resist the temptation to make his own version of lasagna to take to the competition. He and I created this recipe for a Mexican Lasagna and it has been a family favorite ever since.

Now that I think of it, I don't think there was a winner - just three yummy lasagnas.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of turkey-burger
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 - 16 ounce can of re-fried beans
• 4 cups of shredded cheese (we prefer colby-jack)
• 1 pound of sour cream
• 1 - 24 ounce bottle of salsa
• 1 package of 10 soft taco size tortillas - cut in half
• 2 pound of ricotta cheese

Supplies:

• Aluminum Foil
• 13 x 9 inch casserole dish
• Large frying pan
• Rubber spatula
• 1 cup measuring cup

Over medium-high heat, cook turkey-burger until brown.

Mix in taco seasoning and 1/4th cup of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add re-fried beans. Mix thoroughly and cook for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and add 2 cups cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.

Stir in sour cream and mix until smooth and creamy.

You can stop here and use this meat mixture as a super scrumptious bean dip.

Set your oven to 350 degrees.

Line your pan with Aluminum foil for easier clean-up.

Put 1 cup of salsa in the casserole dish and spread it out so it covers the bottom of the pan. Yes, this is a very thin layer of salsa.

Cover the bottom of he pan with the tortillas. Try to only overlap your tortillas once. The center piece is a quarter tortilla.

Using a rubber spatula, spread half of the ricotta cheese on top of the tortillas.

Spread half (about 2 cups) of the meat mixture over the ricotta cheese.

Now we will start repeating ingredients - creating layers like you would find in a traditional lasagna.

Spread 1 cup of salsa on top of the meat mixture.

Layer the tortillas on top of the salsa just like you did in step 11.

Spread the remaining ricotta cheese on the tortillas like you did in step 12.

Spread the remaining meat mixture on top of the ricotta cheese like you did in step 13.

Spread the remaining salsa on top of the meat mixture the same way you did in step 14.

Lay the remaining tortillas on top of the salsa like you did in steps 11 and 15.

This is your final layer. Cover your lasagna with the remaining cheese.

Cover your Lasagna with Aluminum foil and Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious Mexican Lasagna.