Southwest Lasagna

A fun twist on Italian Lasagna, this Southwest Lasagna is a family pleasing dinner with its creaminess and hint of spice.

Isn’t it fun to have friends who cook?  For me, this includes one of our β€œup north” neighbors–and we always are excited when we get a dinner invitation!  This recipe is based on one she served us, adapted some to use things I needed to use up, so thank you Lolly!

Southwest Lasagna Served

Southwest Lasagna Served

My kids always feel that other people cook β€œnormal” food while at home they are relegated to β€œhippie” food.  Pretty sure that my recent Strawberry Meringue dessert and Steak Diane aren’t β€œhippie” food, but once you get a reputation…

Cooking Southwest lasagna filling

Cooking Southwest lasagna filling

Lasagna in progress

Lasagna in progress

As I was cooking the filling for this, my youngest leaned over the pan and wrinkled up her nose, β€œthat looks like another one of your strange foods.” 

β€œThe recipe is from Lolly,” I countered, β€œyou liked it at her house…” She immediately brightened and dinner was gobbled down that night. SW-Lasagna-in-Pan

SW-Lasagna-Serving

Hmmmm, perhaps I’m on to something.

Southwest lasagna, closeup

Southwest lasagna, closeup

 

Southwest Lasagna

A fun twist on Italian Lasagna, this Southwest Lasagna is a family pleasing dinner with its creaminess and hint of spice.
Author: Inger
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
Course Main Dish
Servings 8
Calories 414 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes canned or 1 qt fresh or frozen tomatoes, thawed, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 c salsa drained
  • 3 T tomato paste
  • 1 c corn
  • Β½ t cumin
  • ΒΌ t cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 c bell pepper chopped
  • 1 lb Chicken Breasts precooked, or Tempe
  • 1 c cilantro chopped
  • 6 oz whole wheat lasagna noodles to fit pan, will vary by brand
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese or vegan ricotta
  • 2 c Monterey Jack cheese shredded or vegan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Saute onion and garlic in olive oil, 2 min. Add tomatoes, salsa, tomato paste, corn, cumin and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Cut chicken or tempe into chunks and add to sauce. Simmer 15 min (you may need to simmer longer to thicken if you use fresh or frozen tomatoes), then add cilantro. While sauce is cooking, prepare noodles according to package directions.
  • Layer noodles in lasagna pan with Β½ sauce mixture, Β½ ricotta and Β½ hard cheese. Repeat, then top with final layer of noodles.
  • Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Notes

For a homemade vegan ricotta, take a look at this cashew version: http://thesimpleveganista.blogspot.com/2012/10/cashew-ricotta-cheese.html

Nutrition

Calories: 414kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 31gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 763mgPotassium: 763mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1442IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 378mgIron: 3mg
I am not a health professional and nutrition data is calculated programatically. Accuracy may vary with product selection, calculator accuracy, etc. Consult a professional for the best information.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

17 thoughts on “Southwest Lasagna

  1. Pingback: Creamy Baked Spinach with Artichokes | Art of Natural Living

    1. Inger Post author

      I really can’t complain I guess. Since my husband it pretty adventurous (as long as I don’t go too spicy), I only hear those comments from my kids!

    1. Inger Post author

      Thanks Annie. It’s kind of fun that blogging always pushes a person to try something new!

  2. Barbara

    Strange foods? Love that comment. There are times that I’m pleased my kids are grown! I’ve experimented more since they left home. But they were exposed to lots of unusual foods…innards of all kinds, we foraged for morels, wild blueberries and any number of strange things, which they considered normal.
    Your lasagna is a great SW take on that dish…looks marvelous.
    Pleased you discovered the cranberry curd tartlets. It was one of my favorite recipes and I made them for several parties.

    1. Inger Post author

      Well thanks again for the recipe. A store we go to has the best raspberry curd, so I am excited to go beyond the usual citrus!

  3. Claire

    Inger I’m sure your kids will be waxing lyrical about your home cooked food – when they leave home πŸ™‚ The lasagne looks lovely and light and bright

    1. Inger Post author

      Thanks Clare. You know my oldest has reached that point–and she even went to a college with good food. So there is hope I guess πŸ˜‰

    1. Inger Post author

      Thanks.! You know it was pretty filling–perhaps it will help me take off a couple pounds πŸ˜‰

  4. Needful Things

    Your kids’ comments made me laugh. In my case I get this from my husband who prefers familiar, simple food and thinks most things I cook are too ‘exotic’.

    I like the flavours in this lasagne. Looks delicious!

    1. Inger Post author

      I smiled at your comment. That sounds like my sister’s husband. Challenges everywhere!

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