Cowboy Chili Lasagna
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
12
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Calories
589 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Cowboy Chili Lasagna
Description
Cowboy Chili Lasagna combines seasoned ground beef and chorizo browned with red onion, bell pepper, and garlic, simmered with kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, and spices including ancho chile powder and cumin. This robust chili filling is layered between no-boil lasagna noodles coated with cream cheese and shredded cheddar, then baked until the flavors blend. The chili lends a bold, spicy-sweet flavor enhanced by the creamy and sharp cheeses layered throughout. The method uses no-boil noodles for convenience, resulting in a tender pasta layer infused with the chili mix as it bakes. This hearty lasagna offers a satisfying alternative to traditional tomato sauce, incorporating southwestern chili flavors in a baked pasta dish.
Serve the lasagna baked hot from the oven, ideally as a main course for dinner. It pairs well with simple green salads or steamed vegetables to balance the rich flavors and hearty textures. The cheddar cheese topping adds a golden crust contrast to the savory chili and soft noodles beneath.
If using traditional lasagna noodles instead of no-boil, pre-cook according to package directions or soak them overnight with water added before baking to ensure proper tenderness. This helps the layers build without undercooked pasta. The recipe benefits from resting for a few minutes after baking for easier slicing and combined flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounce Mexican chorizo
- 1 large red onion peeled and chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 30 ounce red kidney beans drained, canned
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 7 ounce green chiles chopped
- 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder or chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
- 8 ounce lasagna noodles 9-12 noodles, no-boil
- 12 ounce cream cheese softened
- 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set out a 9X13 inch baking dish. Then set a large saucepot on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and chorizo to the saucepot. Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Brown for several minutes, stirring to make sure the meat doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Then push the meat to the sides of the pot and add the chopped onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Add the kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, ancho chile, cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Then turn off the heat and stir in the cilantro.
- Meanwhile, determine whether you can fit 3 or 4 lasagna noodles in the pan in a single layer. Then either lay 9 or 12 lasagna noodles out on the countertop. (To make three layers.) Spread an equal amount of cream cheese over each dried lasagna noodle.
- Spread a small amount of chili over the bottom of the baking dish. Add 3-4 lasagna noodles, in a single layer, over the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 1 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the noodles. Then add 2 large ladels of chili over the cheese and spread it out in an even layer.
- Add a second layer of lasagna noodles with cream cheese, 1 1/3 cup shredded cheese, and chili in the same order as the first layer. On the final layer, add the lasagna noodles, all the remaining chili, then place the remaining 1 1/3 cups cheese on top of the chili.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the edges of the lasagna are bubbling, and the cheese is melted. Allow the lasagna to sit at least 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- If you cannot find no-boil noodles, pre-boil lasagna noodles before assembling the dish or bake the lasagna with dry noodles plus added water and foil for proper cooking.
- As an alternative, prepare the lasagna the day before using dry noodles, allow it to soak overnight in the refrigerator with added water, and bake the next day for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 589 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1square | |
| Calories | 589kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 794mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 893mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1359IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 386mg | 39% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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