Slow Cooker Tortilla Lasagna

📝Shopping list

To make this easy crock pot Mexican lasagna, you will need:

• Flour tortillas
• Browned ground beef
• Diced tomato - canned
• Black beans - canned
• Onion- chopped
• Garlic - minced
• Refried beans
• Corn
• Red enchilada sauce
• Shredded cheese - I use Mexican blend
• Chopped green onions or cilantro - optional garnish

❓❔❓What is Tortilla Lasagna?

This slow cooker taco lasagna recipe is a hybrid casserole dish. Similar to traditional lasagna, it contains ground beef, cheese and sauce.

However the distinctly Mexican flavors of taco and enchilada make it a fully different and amazing culinary experience.

It is a cheesy, beefy, dish with layers of tortillas that has all the makings of a new family favorite.   

Cooking

Step 1: Ground beef

Ground beef can be browned stove top in a large skillet. If you have a browning feature in your slow cooker, that works well too! 

I like to bulk-brown beef in my traditional crock pot in bulk. I freeze it in recipe-sized portions so that I always have some on hand for various ground beef recipes. This prep step makes so many great slow cooker recipes a fraction of the work come assembly time. My kind of lazy!!

Regardless of how you cook it, be sure to drain all of the fat. 

Step 2: Building The Lasagna

• 🍳Spread a large spoonful of either diced tomatoes with liquid OR enchilada sauce over the bottom of your greased slow cooker.
• 🍳 Add all ingredients other than tortillas, cheese and garnish to a mixing bowl. 
• 🍳Stir to fully combine
• 🍳Place a layer of tortilla into the bottom of your slow cooker
• 🍳Add half of the meat mixture in a thick layer on top of the tortillas
• 🍳Sprinkle with a layer of shredded cheese
• 🍳Repeat each layer (tortilla, meat mixture, cheese) one more time.
• 🍳Finish with a third layer of tortilla followed by a final layer of remaining cheese
• 🍳Cook on the low setting for 5-7 hours 
• 🍳Optional: sprinkle with chopped green onion and chopped fresh cilantro just prior to serving.

🔁Substitution ideas

1. Use dry lasagna noodles in place of tortillas
2. Swap spicy, chunky salsa for the diced tomatoes to dial up the heat a bit
3. Add in diced hot chili peppers for even more heat
4. Add in ¼ cup taco seasoning if you want to add more spice.
5. Use ground turkey in place of ground beef for a lighter option.  

Storing

Store your crockpot Mexican lasagna recipe in an airtight container or zip top bag.  It will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.  Reheat and handle leftovers gently as the tortillas may start to break apart.  

Your slow cooker lasagna  can also be frozen.  It will last up to 4 months.  For best results, defrost fully in the refrigerator prior to gently heating. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. If your slow cooker cooks unevenly (as some of mine do) lifting your slow cooker pot out of the heating element and rotating it 180 degrees before replacing it will help to even things out. I try to do this about half way through the cooking time. Just beware that the pot will be HOT! Pot holders are a must!
2. Leftovers reheat really well in the oven or microwave (but are also delicious cold!!).
3. I am a huge fan of slow cooker liners and usually recommend them for everything. However, for this type of dish, parchment paper is even better. 
4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!!
5. The most important step is to always make sure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!!