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    Home » Entree

    Better-For-You Texas Lasagna

    August 9, 2016 by Chrissy Carroll 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I found out about “Texas lasagna” when I was browsing through Pinterest trying to figure out new ways to use ground beef and ground turkey.  We do all the standards in our house – tacos, burgers, meatloaf – but I was definitely in the mood for a new recipe to mix it up.

    Essentially, Texas lasagna is a southwestern style casserole.  Instead of traditional lasagna noodles, you use corn tortillas.  Instead of mozzarella and ricotta, you use cheddar and cottage cheese.  And of course, lots of yummy seasonings like chili powder and paprika give it an extra punch of flavor.  It sounded like the perfect way to mix up our ground beef routine.

    Texas lasagna is a southwestern style casserole recipe – flavors like chili powder and paprika are used to season the meat, corn tortillas take the place of lasagna noodles, and cheddar replaces mozzarella. This healthy version is under 500 calories per serving yet still tastes rich and indulgent!

     

    Let me step back a minute and address the cottage cheese before ya’ll go running away.  I’m going to be real with you – I do NOT like cottage cheese in it’s plain form.  One of my only memories of eating it was back and my dietetic internship when we had to try diets in different textures and I was forced to taste-test regular and modified versions of cottage cheese.  Ugh.

    The thing is, though, I know that cottage cheese can be really quite good for you!  It’s rich in slowly-digesting protein and it also has a particular amino acid called leucine that’s particularly beneficial for recovery after exercise.  So I’ve always been on the lookout to find a way that I could possibly enjoy it.

    So in addition to solving my need for a new ground beef recipe, this Texas lasagna has also effectively solved my cottage cheese dilemma.  I like it in this recipe!  The cottage cheese lends a creaminess and saltiness to the dish and somehow works perfectly with the cheddar and tomato flavors.  It’s like a cottage cheese fiesta for the skeptics & haters! 😉

    [Tweet “This tasty texas lasagna’s secret ingredient is cottage cheese!”]

    I started developing this recipe by looking at one I found on The Recipe Critic which sounded divine – but just a little more indulgent and calorie-dense than I was personally looking to make.  So I changed up quite a few things to make this my own better-for-you version:

    • Used just a few basic seasonings I had at home, rather than pre-packaged taco seasoning (though either would work fine)
    • Switched from regular canned tomatoes and sauce to no-added-salt versions
    • Went with a lean 90/10 ground beef (you could also use 93/7 or you could use ground turkey)
    • Cut back on the amount of cheese and the number of tortillas
    • Skipped the optional toppings

    The result is still rich, yet slightly more waistline friendly.  Give it a whirl and let me know what ya think!

    Texas lasagna is a southwestern style casserole recipe – flavors like chili powder and paprika are used to season the meat, corn tortillas take the place of lasagna noodles, and cheddar replaces mozzarella. This healthy version is under 500 calories per serving yet still tastes rich and indulgent!

    Texas lasagna is a southwestern style casserole recipe – flavors like chili powder and paprika are used to season the meat, corn tortillas take the place of lasagna noodles, and cheddar replaces mozzarella. This healthy version is under 500 calories per serving yet still tastes rich and indulgent!

    Texas lasagna is a southwestern style casserole recipe – flavors like chili powder and paprika are used to season the meat, corn tortillas take the place of lasagna noodles, and cheddar replaces mozzarella. This healthy version is under 500 calories per serving yet still tastes rich and indulgent!

    Healthy Texas Lasagna

    Snacking in Sneakers
    Need a new ground beef recipe to mix up your meal routine? Try this healthy texas lasagna!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 449 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.25 pounds 90/10 ground beef
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp pepper
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 1/2 tsp paprika
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp onion powder
    • 15 oz can of diced tomatoes (no added salt)
    • 15 oz can of tomato sauce (no added salt)
    • 1 cup 1% cottage cheese
    • 1 egg
    • 8 corn tortillas (6 inch)
    • 1.75 cups shredded cheddar cheese

    Instructions
     

    • In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cook for 10 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, mix egg and cottage cheese in a bowl.
    • In a 9x13 dish, add half the meat mixture, followed by half the tortillas (go 3 across and split the 4th in half to layer over any gaps at the top - see photo in post if this doesn't make sense!), half the cottage cheese/egg mixture, and half the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers one more time.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition Analysis (per serving):
    449 calories, 23 g fat, 11 g sat fat, 550 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 36 g protein, Vitamin A: 28%, Vitamin C: 27%, Calcium: 32%, Iron: 21%

    Nutrition

    Calories: 449kcal
    Keyword healthy texas lasagna
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share with me:  Are you a cottage cheese lover or hater?  Have you ever made Texas Lasagna?  What’s your favorite ground beef dish to make?

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
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    Comments

    1. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona

      August 9, 2016 at 10:55 am

      I’ve never heard of Texas lasagna before, but it sure does sound good. It also sound like it’s pretty easy to make, always a good thing!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:30 pm

        Yes, I’m all about easy meals! It does take two steps with browning the meat and then baking everything, but otherwise it’s very simple to put together.

        Reply
    2. Abbey

      August 9, 2016 at 12:49 pm

      Never heard of Texas lasagna but sounds incredible!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:30 pm

        Thanks Abbey! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Susie @ SuzLyfe

      August 9, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      I’m not a big noodle person, so I would love to switch it up to tortillas!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:31 pm

        Yes! I love mixing it up like this.

        Reply
    4. GiGi Eats

      August 9, 2016 at 1:47 pm

      Last time I had lasagna – OMG – like a CENTURY ago, because you know, I AM THAT OLD??

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:31 pm

        Haha! I actually haven’t had regular lasagna in forever…but I have had this quite a few times in the last month or two 🙂

        Reply
    5. Julie

      August 9, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      Lasagna is one of those foods that is so hard to make healthy but you’ve done a great job with this recipe!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:32 pm

        Thanks Julie! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Mikki

      August 9, 2016 at 4:05 pm

      Love how you were able to make this into a healthy dish. It looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:32 pm

        Thanks so much! It’s super tasty.

        Reply
    7. Ilka

      August 9, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      This really is a better-for-you lasagna! Yum!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:32 pm

        Thanks Ilka! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Carmy

      August 9, 2016 at 10:35 pm

      That is one mean lasagna! I totally want to try it!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:33 pm

        Haha, thank you – and go for it Carmy!

        Reply
    9. Emily

      August 10, 2016 at 6:44 pm

      Do you think the low carb tortillas would work okay too? This is brillant!!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 11, 2016 at 12:33 pm

        I definitely think they would work! It might not have the exact same flavor profile since I think corn tortillas have a pretty distinct flavor, but I still think it would taste great.

        Reply
    10. Wendy

      August 15, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      How many portions does the recipe make?

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 17, 2016 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Wendy! It makes 6 servings. 🙂

        Reply

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    Welcome to Snacking in Sneakers! That's me, Chrissy, and I'm here to share all my favorite fitness, food, & wellness stories & tips. I'm a dietitian, personal trainer, runner, triathlon coach, foodie, not-so-extreme couponer, and all around fun lovin' gal.

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