Spicy Tortilla Lasagna

Funny 1st grade story from this week ... One of our spelling words this past week was 'blog.'  Kind of a strange spelling word for 1st graders if you ask me, ... but ... no one asked me!  So, anyway, since none of my students had any idea what a blog is I decided to show them my blog as an example.  (It just so happened that Neapolitan Cupcakes were showing on the front page, which totally amazed and enthralled my students!  They want me to make some for them ... which I can't ... against school rules.) 

Anyway, as I was scrolling down the front page ... showing them what a blog post is, and how people write to me and I write back in comments, and so forth ... one of my little students hollered out, "Hey, who's that?" ... referring to my childhood picture in the right sidebar.  I said, "That's me when I was 4 years old."  To which he promptly replied, rather exuberantly, "You look like a boy!"

Tact is not the forte of six year olds. 

I don't think I look like a boy in that picture, do I?  Oh, wait.  On second thought, don't answer that.  'Cause if you do think I look like a boy, I don't think I really want to know.  

Well, since school is still C.R.A.Z.Y. busy, I've been turning to some of my super-easy-stand-by recipes for our dinners.  This Spicy Tortilla Lasagna is just one such recipe.  And it's not exactly a recipe, it's more just something I threw together one night and have stuck with it ever since.  I like that it comes together super quick, and it makes a big pan so there's always leftovers for another night.  (No cooking the next night - yay!)

Start this dish by spreading a small amount of salsa (this lasagna's sauce) in the bottom of a baking dish.  This keeps the bottom layer of tortillas from sticking to the bottom of the pan, and provides a tad of moisture for those tortillas to soak up.

Next, layer in two whole tortillas (I use whole wheat) and then tear small pieces from another tortilla to fill in the corners and any other big 'gaps.'

Then spoon in a layer of the lasagna filling ... a mixture of ground turkey (or beef), black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes ... and ...

... top with salsa and cheese.  Layer on up two more times, and you'll have ...

... a tasty tortilla treat!  It's a yummy alternative to traditional lasagna, especially if you're in the mood for a super easy spicy kick.  And now I'm going to go try to get over being called a boy.  Ha!

I invite you to follow The Kitchen is My Playground with Pinterest, Facebook, Google Friend Connect, Linky Followers, bloglovin', or Feedburner. Buttons are in the right sidebar. I'd love to have you back soon!

Spicy Tortilla Lasagna

Source:  A Tracey Original (though I know there are probably 1000's of recipes out there similar to this, I did not refer to any when whipping this up)

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey or ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 tsp. ground cumin
1 T. chili powder
Dash of crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 (14.5 oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 of a 10 oz. package frozen corn, thawed
8 tortillas (I use whole wheat)
About 36 oz. salsa (mild, medium, hot, salsa verde, or a combination of any of these)
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese


Directions
1.  Brown ground turkey or beef together with chopped onion; drain.  Season with ground cumin, chili powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper.  Add black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes.  Stir to combine.

2.  Spray a 9"x13" baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray.  Spread a small amount of salsa in the bottom of the dish.  Top with two whole tortillas; tear pieces from a portion of another tortilla to fill the corners and any other gaps around the sides of the pan.  Top the tortillas with 1/3 of the meat/black bean mixture, 1/3 of the salsa, and 1/3 of the shredded cheese.

3.  Repeat to make two more layers.

4.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until heated through and bubbly.  Serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

NOTE:  This is a very flexible recipe.  Adjust spices and other ingredients to fit your fancy!

Enjoy!



This post is linked with Sunday Showcase Party, On the Menu Monday, This Week's Cravings, Mix It Up Monday!, Mangia Mondays, Trick or Treat Tuesday, Tuesday Talent Show, Totally Tasty Tuesdays, Whatcha Whipped Up, Cast Party Wednesday, Sweet Treats & Swanky Stuff, Share Your Creations, Full Plate Thursday, Inspiration Friday, Foodie Friday, Kitchen Fun & Crafty Friday, Foodie Friday with Diane Balch, Weekend Bloggy Reading, Weekend Potluck, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Think Pink Sunday, Sundae Scoop, Taste & Tell Thursdays.