Mexican Lasagna with Cilantro Crema

Yield:
12 servings

Ingredients:

  1. 1 pound ground beef
  2. 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained as instructed on package
  3. 1/2 cup chopped onion
  5. Cilantro Crema:
  6. 1 cup sour cream
  7. Lasagna:
  8. 1 can (4 ounce) diced green chilies (including the liquid, do not drain)
  9. 1 package taco seasoning, I prefer low sodium
  10. 1/2 cup water
  11. 1 jar (25 ounce) pasta sauce
  12. 2 eggs
  13. 1 container (15 ounce) ricotta cheese
  14. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  15. 1 teaspoon cumin
  16. 4 cups (16 ounce) shredded Mexican cheese, divided
  17. 1 cup heavy cream
  18. 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  19. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  20. 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
  21. Additional toppings, if desired
  22. chopped green onion
  23. fresh chopped cilantro
  24. shredded lettuce
  25. chopped tomato
Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Prepare lasagna noodles.

Cook ground beef and onion until beef is no longer pink; drain excess grease. Stir in green chilies (with it's liquid), water and taco seasoning packet. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Stir in pasta sauce until mixed in with meat mixture.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Stir in ricotta cheese, cilantro, cumin and 2 cups of Mexican cheese.

Begin making layers as follows for a total of three layers:
Spread a small portion of meat sauce over the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan.
Top with 3 noodles laid side by side.
Spread 3/4 cup ricotta mixture over the noodles.
Spread 1 1/4 cups meat sauce over the ricotta.
Sprinkle with one third of the remaining cheese.

Repeat steps two more times.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes longer until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Cilantro Crema:
In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream and heavy cream. Add cilantro, lime juice and salt and whisk until blended.

Cover, refrigerate and let the flavors meld as the texture forms into a velvety cream that you'll want to drizzle on everything!

Drizzle Cilantro Crema over the lasagna and top with green onion, fresh cilantro, chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

Recipe, photo and food styling by Webstop


TDS 3