Mexican Lasagna

This recipe is super easy and is a great Mexican dish! I usually make two 8x8 dishes, eat one that night and then freeze the other for later, rather than one 11x13 dish. That way you don't have too much left over.

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1/2 c. chopped onion

2/3 c. water

1 package taco seasoning

1 can black beans drained and rinsed

1 14 oz. can Mexican tomatoes

6 flour tortillas

1 can refried beans

2 c. shredded Mexican cheese

Brown beef with green pepper and onion. Add water and taco seasoning, boil for 2 minutes. Add black beans and tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. In 11x13 pan layer 2 tortillas, refried beans, meat and cheese, twice. Then top with 2 tortillas and cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. Top with salsa and sour cream. I used the bean and corn salsa and it was super yummy!

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

I know this sounds a little crazy but it is super yummy and so easy, so give it a try.

1 jar (25-26 oz) marinara sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (14 1/2 oz)
1 package oven ready (no boil) lasagna noodles
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach
8 oz Italian sausage or hamburger

In bowl combine marinara sauce and tomatoes with their juice. Spoon 1 cup tomato sauce mixture into bottom of crockpot. Arrange noodles on top of sauce overlapping and breaking to cover as much area as possible. Spoon about 3/4 cup sauce over noodles, then top with 1/3 meat, ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach in layers. Repeat layers 2 more times. Top with noodles and remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover crock pot with lid and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours or on low for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until noodles are tender.

*I seasoned the ricotta cheese to add some more flavor.