Hearty Keto Mexican Lasagne (Layered & Cheesy!)

Hearty Keto Mexican Lasagne (Layered & Cheesy!)

Get ready for a delicious and comforting meal with this Hearty Keto Mexican Lasagne! Layers of seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, creamy cheese mixture, and low-carb tortillas come together in a baked casserole that’s bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors. This low-carb, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free (with compliant tortillas) dish is a delightful addition to your health journey, perfect for a family dinner here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!

Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• ½ cup taco seasoning (KETO NOTE: Ensure no added sugar or starches)
• Approximately ½ cup water (for taco seasoning, check seasoning package instructions)
• 1 cup salsa (KETO NOTE: Choose a brand with no added sugar)
• 1 ½ cups full-fat cottage cheese (drained if excessively watery)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups shredded cheese (e.g., Mexican blend, cheddar, or Monterey Jack), divided
• 6-8 low-carb tortillas (e.g., Mission Carb Balance, Siete almond flour tortillas)
• Nonstick cooking spray (for casserole dish)

Equipment:

• Large skillet
• Spatula
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• 9×13 inch casserole dish

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Beef: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened.
   • Drain any excess grease thoroughly from the skillet. Return the meat and onion mixture to the heat.
   • Add the taco seasoning and approximately ½ cup of water (or according to your taco seasoning package instructions). Stir well and let it simmer until the water has evaporated and the meat is well coated. Remove from heat.
2. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Whisk until well mixed.
3. Assemble Lasagne: Lightly spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
   • Layer 1 (Tortillas): Place a single layer of low-carb tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish, trimming or overlapping as needed to fit.
   • Layer 2 (Salsa): Spread about ⅓ of the salsa over the tortillas.
   • Layer 3 (Meat): Spoon about ⅓ of the seasoned ground beef and onion mixture over the salsa.
   • Layer 4 (Cottage Cheese): Dollop about ⅓ of the cottage cheese mixture over the meat, spreading it gently.
   • Layer 5 (Shredded Cheese): Sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the cottage cheese mixture.
   • Repeat Layers: Repeat these layers (tortillas, salsa, meat, cottage cheese mixture, shredded cheese) two more times, until all ingredients are used up. Finish with a final layer of shredded cheese on top.
4. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly around the edges, and the top cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
5. Serve & Enjoy! Remove the Mexican Lasagne from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying keto meal!

Tips for Success:

• Keto-Friendly Products: Ensure your taco seasoning and salsa are sugar-free and low-carb. Check labels carefully. For tortillas, options like Mission Carb Balance or Siete (almond/cassava flour) tortillas are good choices.
• Drain Beef Well: Removing excess grease from the beef prevents the casserole from becoming oily.
• Cottage Cheese Consistency: If your cottage cheese is very wet, draining it briefly in a fine-mesh colander can help maintain casserole firmness.
• Layering: Don’t worry about perfect layers; just aim for even distribution of ingredients.
• Cheese for Topping: Using a generous amount of cheese on top ensures a delicious, golden crust.
• Resting Time: Allowing the lasagne to rest after baking helps the layers set, making it easier to slice and serve.
• Customization: Top with keto-friendly sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, or a dash of hot sauce after serving.

Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:

This Keto Mexican Lasagne is a delightful addition to your health journey!

• High Protein: Yes, from the ground beef, egg, and cheeses.
• High Fat: Yes, from the ground beef, full-fat cottage cheese, and shredded cheese.
• Low-Carb: Yes, by using low-carb tortillas and sugar-free sauces/seasonings.
• Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided the taco seasoning, salsa, and low-carb tortillas are verified as sugar-free and low-carb compliant. All other listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
• Gluten-Free: This recipe can be gluten-free if using certified gluten-free low-carb tortillas and ensuring all other ingredients (taco seasoning, salsa) are also gluten-free.

Read on how to make an easy hamburger casserole.