Santa Fe Spicy Lasagna Delight
Infuse your dinner table with the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with this Santa Fe Spicy Lasagna Delight. Adapted from the beloved Company's Coming Make Ahead Meals by J. Pare, this unique twist on traditional lasagna combines layers of hearty beef, zesty tomatoes, and creamy cheeses enhanced by the smokiness of green chilies and a kick from taco seasoning. Customize it by adding various peppers for an extra flavor punch. This versatile recipe can be prepared in two 8x8 baking pans, making it ideal for sharing or for enjoying leftovers throughout the week.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lasagna noodles
12 (cooked)
Ground beef
1.25 lbs (none)
Onion
1 (diced)
Celery
1 stalk (diced)
Crushed tomatoes
14 oz can (none)
Tomato sauce
15 oz (2 cans) (none)
Diced green chilies
4 oz can (with juice)
Taco seasoning
2 tablespoons (use Bulk Taco Seasoning Mix)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Cream-style cottage cheese
2 cups (none)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Grated cheddar cheese
1.5 cups (divided into 1/2 cup and 1 cup)
Grated Monterey Jack cheese
1.5 cups (divided into 1/2 cup and 1 cup)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, scramble the ground beef, diced onion, and diced celery until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced green chilies, taco seasoning, and cumin. Let the mixture simmer while you prepare the cheese sauce.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the cream-style cottage cheese, beaten eggs, and 1/2 cup each of grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Mix well until creamy.
5
To assemble the lasagna, spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan.
6
Layer 4 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
7
Spread 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles, followed by half of the cheese sauce.
8
Repeat the layers with 4 more noodles, the second portion of meat sauce, and the remaining cheese sauce.
9
Finish by topping with the last layer of meat sauce.
10
Generously sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
11
Bake uncovered for 60 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
12
Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving to let the layers set.
13
To freeze, bake and cool the lasagna completely. Wrap it well and label it. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
14
To serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until warmed through, or bake from frozen for approximately 1.5 hours.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Santa Fe Spicy Lasagna Delight?
It is a Southwestern-inspired twist on traditional lasagna that features ground beef, green chilies, and taco seasoning for a unique spicy flavor profile.
Who is the original author of the recipe this was adapted from?
This recipe was adapted from the book 'Company's Coming Make Ahead Meals' by J. Pare.
What ingredients give this lasagna its Southwestern flavor?
The flavor comes from the inclusion of diced green chilies, taco seasoning, and ground cumin mixed into the meat sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the lasagna.
How do I prepare the meat and vegetable base?
Scramble the ground beef, diced onion, and diced celery in a large skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender.
What types of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The sauce uses one 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes and two 15 oz cans of tomato sauce.
How are the green chilies prepared?
Use a 4 oz can of diced green chilies and include the juice when adding them to the sauce.
What is in the cheese sauce layer?
The cheese sauce is a mixture of 2 cups of cream-style cottage cheese, two beaten eggs, and 1/2 cup each of grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Do I need to cook the lasagna noodles beforehand?
Yes, the recipe requires 12 lasagna noodles that have been pre-cooked.
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a 9x13 inch baking pan for a single large lasagna, or two 8x8 baking pans if you prefer smaller portions.
What is the correct order for assembling the layers?
Start with a small amount of meat sauce, then layer 4 noodles, 1/3 meat sauce, half the cheese sauce, 4 more noodles, meat sauce, remaining cheese sauce, final meat sauce, and top with shredded cheese.
How much cheese is used for the top layer?
The topping uses the remaining 1 cup of grated cheddar and 1 cup of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
How long does the lasagna need to bake?
Bake the lasagna uncovered for 60 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Why should I let the lasagna stand after baking?
Allowing it to stand for 10 minutes helps the layers set, making it easier to serve clean slices.
Can I freeze this lasagna for later?
Yes, bake and cool the lasagna completely, then wrap it well. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How do I reheat the lasagna from the freezer?
Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until warmed through, or bake directly from frozen for about 1.5 hours.
Can I make this recipe more spicy?
Yes, you can customize the dish by adding various peppers or increasing the amount of taco seasoning for an extra flavor punch.
What kind of taco seasoning should I use?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of a Bulk Taco Seasoning Mix.
What is the role of the eggs in the recipe?
The beaten eggs act as a binder for the cottage cheese and shredded cheese, creating a stable, creamy layer within the lasagna.
How many lasagna noodles are used in total?
The recipe calls for 12 cooked lasagna noodles.
Is there celery in this lasagna?
Yes, one stalk of diced celery is included in the meat and vegetable mixture for added texture and flavor.
How much ground beef is required?
You will need 1.25 lbs of ground beef for this recipe.
Can I use different types of cheese?
While cheddar and Monterey Jack are recommended for the Southwestern theme, you can substitute other melting cheeses if desired.
Is the lasagna baked covered or uncovered?
The instructions specify baking the lasagna uncovered for the full 60 minutes.
How much cumin is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
What type of cottage cheese is best?
Cream-style cottage cheese is recommended to ensure a rich and smooth cheese layer.
How many people does this recipe serve?
While not explicitly stated, a 9x13 lasagna typically serves 8 to 12 people depending on portion size.
Is this considered a make-ahead meal?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be baked, cooled, and frozen for future use, making it an excellent make-ahead option.
Can I use onion powder instead of fresh onion?
The recipe calls for one whole diced onion for flavor and texture, which is generally preferred over powder for this style of meat sauce.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as lasagna, comfort food, mexican-inspired, make ahead, one dish meal, and family dinner.