Tex-Mex night is getting a facelift and your family will never know it’s been lightened up! This Mexican Lasagna is ah-mazing and doesn’t disappoint! Slightly spicy, gooey, savory and everything you love about Mexican food is all combined in this easy to put together lasagna. It provides ample leftovers to save you dinner prep on another night and it is just as good the second time around!
After I had my first daughter, a kind woman from church brought us dinner- Mexican Lasagna and salad. Since that day, I have been obsessed with finding a fantastic recipe that was full of flavor and still ‘figure friendly.’ After tweaking and modifying this recipe by Katherine Howley, my husband reassured me that I had found it! It is killer delicious and simple to make. We also love that it provides our family with leftovers for lunch or dinner several times and can easily be frozen and reheated.
Seriously, your family is going to love this recipe! Serve with this Mexican Cauliflower Rice for a perfectly balanced meal!
Lightened Up Mexican Lasagna
INGREDIENTS
1 lb 92% (or leaner) ground chicken
6 whole wheat tortillas
15oz can fat-free refried beans
4oz can chopped green chilies
2 (10oz) cans enchilada sauce
8oz low-fat sour cream (or 2% plain greek yogurt)
8oz cheddar or colby jack cheese (low-fat), shredded
SPICE BLEND
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 ½ tsp cumin
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
1/4 tsp kosher salt (optional)
½ tsp black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil (I use a Misto) and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground chicken in nonstick skillet; drain any visible fat and then stir in all spices and diced green chilis. While the meat is cooking, cut the tortillas in half and open cans and containers of remaining ingredients.
Spread 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce in bottom of pan and layer in 4 tortillas halves to cover (see picture for how to layer). Top them with half the can of beans in little dollops and spread around tortillas. Do the same for half of the sour cream. Then add 1/2 of the meat mixture, ⅔ cup enchilada sauce and 1/3 of the shredded cheese. Repeat this same layer- tortillas, beans, sour cream, meat, sauce, and cheese. Top with the last 4 tortilla halves and then 2/3 cup of sauce and remaining 1/3 of cheese.
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until lasagna begins to bubble on the sides and the top begins to brown. Serve warm.
SERVINGS: 12
TIPS & TRICKS
- To reduce the sodium further, eliminate the 1/4 tsp of kosher salt from the seasonings added to the chicken. ALSO, review brands of enchilada sauce, green chilies, and refried beans at the grocery store as some have moderate sodium and others quite high.
- Warming the beans for a few seconds in the microwave (not in the metal can) with a few tablespoons of water can make them looser and easier to spread.
SERVING IDEAS
- Top with chopped cilantro, low-fat sour cream, low-fat greek yogurt, or additional enchilada sauce
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice is the perfect vegetable side!
NUTRITION PER SERVING
Calories 286
Fat 11.5g
Saturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 56mg
Sodium 733mg
Potassium 42mg
Carbohydrate 26g
Fiber 4g
Sugar 3g
Protein 18g
Grab your grocery list and add these ingredients! On Tex-Mex night, your family will give you rave reviews!
Hey Jennifer..
I love Mexican flavors. My issue is finding a way to get the same texture and flavor with less carbohydrates. Do you have any ideas. Thanks
Hi Eleanor, The primary sources of carbohydrate in this meal are the tortillas and the beans. The beans are rich in fiber, iron and a variety of minerals. The tortillas are whole grains which are higher fiber than traditional. There are some low carb tortilla brands out there you could sub in. Another idea is to remove the final tortilla layer and simply top with cheese- this would reduce the carbs and calories slightly per serving. I hope these ideas help!