Mexican Lasagna Recipe

I have always loved Mexican and Italian food equally.  Below is my recipe where I combine the  taste of Mexican food with the layered concept of an Italian Lasagna into a dish called a Mexican Lasagna.  Basically its layers of corn tortillas, cheeses and a meat and bean mixture.  The meat and bean mixture is made up of ground beef, black beans and Mexican corn mixed together and seasoned with sautéed onions, salsa, chili powder, cumin and garlic.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 pounds of ground beef
2 tablespoons of chili powder
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 cup of medium heat thick salsa
1 cup of Mexican corn, drained
1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, drained
Salt & black pepper to taste
8 (8 inch) corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups of sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup of Monterey Jack Cheese, grated
1 can (2 1/4 oz.) of sliced ripe olives, drained
1 tomato, diced
Guacamole
Sour Cream

Instructions:

You will want to preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

Place 2 tablespoons of oil into a large skillet and place it over medium high heat. Add in your chopped onions and sauté for about 3 minutes.  Then add in your ground beef and brown your meat.  This should take about 5 minutes.  Now add in your chili powder and cumin, garlic powder, salsa, corn and black beans and mix your ingredients together.  Now, continue to cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes and then add your salt and pepper to taste.

Now take a baking dish and coat it with your remaining olive oil.  You will want to cut your tortillas in half.  Now its time to build your Mexican lasagna.  To do this begin by placing 1/3rd of your meat and bean mixture on the bottom of your baking dish and then sprinkle 1/3rd of your cheese mixture over that and then and then top with a layer of your tortillas.  Then another layer of your bean and meat mixture, cheese and tortillas.  Finally you will add the last of your beans and meat mixture, then top that with your remaining cheese and sprinkle your black olives and diced tomatoes on top.   Then place your baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.  Serve with guacamole and sour cream on the side.