Mexican Lasagna

1 ½ pounds extra-lean ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
27 ounces canned whole green chilies (drain and reserve 2 tablespoons canned juice)
2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
4 6-inch, low-carb tortillas


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season the meat with a little salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and enough water to make a paste.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the ricotta cheese, sour cream, reserved chili juice, Tabasco sauce, and 1⁄2 cup water. Spread a little of the mixture to cover the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Cover the sauce with a layer of tortillas, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle the meat mixture evenly over the entire base. Cover with a single layer of whole green chilies and pour the remaining sauce on top.

Bake 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving

(2008 Cookbook)