Made with lasagna noodles, this vegetarian Mexican Lasagna is a yummy take on the classic! Made with black beans, veggies, shredded cheese, taco seasoning, and tomato sauce, it’s a hearty dinner the entire family will like. Bonus: it’s easy to make and can be frozen for meal prep!
Mexican Lasagna with Black Beans
Sure, classic lasagna is delicious but can I tell you about it’s friend Mexican Lasagna!?
Some people use tortillas for their Mexican lasagna, but I keep it simple and use lasagna noodles! Once they’re cooked, layer them with up with black beans, tomatoes, peppers, tomato sauce and shredded cheese!
Easy to prepare, this flavorful dish is sure to impress and satisfy any crowd! I hope you try Mexican Lasagna for dinner soon!
Looking for meal prep? I often make this lasagna on a Sunday, to have ready for dinner later in the week. After you cook it, allow to cool and then store in the refrigerator, good for 3-4 days.
Mexican lasagna vs. Italian lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna is a hybrid between Mexican food and Italian. Classic Italian lasagna is made with very little or no vegetables and has layers of tomato sauce, noodles, and cheese.
This Mexican lasagna still has a hint of Italian flair as it’s made with mozzarella, ricotta, and red sauce. The main difference? It’s packed with vegetables, black beans, and taco seasoning! It tastes smoky and zesty while remaining just as comforting as the classic.
How to make Mexican Casserole:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the noodles according to the package instructions and add the kale within the last 3 minutes.
Drain the noodles and add the kale back into the pot with the sauce, beans, vegetables, and seasonings.
Add some of the sauce mixture to the bottom of the baking dish. Start with a layer of lasagna noodles, then add the ricotta, vegetable sauce, and mozzarella on top. Continue until you run out.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Let it sit for 10 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Ingredient Help
- Don’t have lasagna noodles? Try layering this lasagna with flour tortillas in its place for a taco-inspired lasagna.
- Add a garnish – Serve each slice with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or candied jalapenos on top!
- Want to add meat? You can add ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken into the mix.
- Instead of pasta sauce, use red or green enchilada sauce.
Storing Leftovers and Freezing
Storing leftovers: Cooked and cooled leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through, or pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.
To freeze: Leave the lasagna unbaked before freezing. Wrap the high tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375ºF for 45-60 minutes or until thawed and cooked through.
Pin for later:
Easy Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna with Black Bean
PrintIngredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 3 cups kale stems removed, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 tomatoes chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 15 oz can black beans drained
- 32 oz jar pasta sauce
- 1.25 oz pack taco seasoning
- 15 oz container ricotta
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring large salted pot of water to a boil. Cook lasagna according to instructions. When 3 minutes are left, add chopped up kale to the water. Drain noodles and kale. Add kale back into the pot.
- Add green pepper, tomatoes, onion, black beans, pasta sauce and taco seasoning into the pot with the kale, mixing to combine ingredients.
- Grab a 9×13 baking dish and add a few spoonfuls of veggie/sauce mixture on the bottom.
- Place 3 lasagna noodles down on top of the sauce. Spread 1/3 of your ricotta on top of the noodles. Add 1/3 of your veggie/sauce mixture on top. Add 1/3 of your Mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat 2 more times.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and bake 10 more minutes.
- Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Linda Bedson says
Hi Pam, have you tried freezing this and cooking it later?
Thanks,
Linda
Pamela says
You absolutely can! Just make sure to defrost overnight and then bake as usual (you might need to add a additional 15 minutes!). Enjoy the lasagna!
Peggy says
Wanted to try this recipe but was t sure if I should sautรฉ the veggies first. Not a big fan of crunchy veggies after I bake a dish! Should they be soften first !!
Pamela says
Hey Peggy, I don’t really think they require additional cooking. The only suggestion I have is to make sure to add the kale to the boiling water, per recipe instructions, so it’s not crunchy. With that said, if you really want to saute the veggies before hand, you totally can! Hope you enjoy this lasagna!
Marion says
I tried this recipe cut in half, using a smaller baking dish and also left off one layer. I substituted cottage cheese on hand for ricotta. I used oven ready pasta. Turned out great!!! I’ll be making this again ๐
Pamela says
Hey Marion, so happy to hear you enjoyed this lasagna! Thanks for letting me know!
Mary says
Looks soooo yummy! I have to make this but could you tell what size glass pan you are using? Thank yous so much!!!
Pamela says
Hey Mary, 13×9 is pretty average for a lasagna pan. As long as it can fit 3 rolls of noodles across it will do the job. Enjoy!
Mary says
Thank you sooooo very much. Next, will pick up necessary ingredients next week on my grocery stocking trip. Only go to town once a week… pretty isolated here.
Marisa says
Oh my.,. this looks so delicious. I never thought of having a mexican lasagna. I’m going to have to try it this weekend!
Pamela says
Hope you enjoy Marisa!
Laura | Food Fun Family says
This recipe looks amazing! Thanks for sharing with the Delicious Dishes Recipe party this week!
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says
This looks like a great meatless dish to make for dinner tonight! Plus we will sure have leftovers which is always wonderful. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Valerie says
I haven’t made lasagna in a long time. Now I am inspired to make it again!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I haven’t been making many pasta dishes, until recently. Can’t wait to incorporate this yummy dish into my meal plan!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Great minds think alike with the Mexican lasagna ๐
This is a favourite in our house too, as it’s such a good way to eat loads of veggies in one meal.
grace says
outstanding! i just love every single thing about this! you’ve created perfection in a casserole dish. ๐
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Nothing can beat veggies and more veggies. Being a vegetarian myself I love vegetarian dishes and I love Mexica dishes too. Does that mean this lasagna is calling my name? Drooling. ๐
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
It looks like such a treat.
Mary says
I’ve made many Vegetarian Lasagna and always include the zucchini and eggplant so when I sat down and started reading this post I was blown away when you included kale, tomatoes, green pepper, jalapeno pepper, onion and black beans. It truly blew my mind and I can’t wait to try it out for myself.
themodestfoxpr says
This is so great! I’ve been looking for recipes like this! Thank you <3
themodestfoxpr.blogspot.com
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Lots of veggies are always good, esp. when paired with lots of cheese ๐ Delicious!