Pastel Azteca de Pescado (Layered Fish and Tortilla Bake)
A Mexican style lasagne of corn tortillas, red chilli sauce, flaked fish and sweetcorn, baked until bubbling.
Made with Red enchilada sauce and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.27 a head
- Oven190°C (170°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat 190°C (170°C fan). Warm your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe) in a pan over a low heat.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Cook the onion and courgette for 6 minutes until soft. Add the sweetcorn and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in half the coriander and a pinch of salt.
8 min - 3
Poach the fish in simmering water for 5 minutes until it flakes, drain well and flake it.
5 min - 4
Soften the tortillas in the remaining oil for a few seconds each, or warm them briefly in the oven.
- 5
Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish. Add a layer of 4 overlapping tortillas, then a third of the fish, vegetables and mozzarella and a third of the sauce. Repeat twice, finishing with sauce and cheese.
- 6
Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and golden. Rest for 10 minutes.
28 min 20 s - 7
Cut into squares and serve with the soured cream and the remaining coriander.
Tips
- Make sure the layers go right to the edge of the dish so the slices hold together.
- Resting for 10 minutes lets the layers set and makes clean slices.
- Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- Use shredded chicken instead of fish for another version, or black beans for a vegetarian bake.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat portions until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze cooked portions for up to 1 month.
Questions
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble up to 1 day ahead, keep covered in the fridge and bake for 35 minutes until bubbling and hot all the way through.
Is this like lasagne?
The layered method is the same, but the pasta is replaced with corn tortillas and the sauce is chilli based. The name means Aztec cake.
Can I use leftover cooked fish?
Yes. Use about 400 g flaked cooked fish and add it with the sweetcorn.
How do I make it dairy free?
Leave out the mozzarella and soured cream and use a dairy free melting cheese alternative if you wish.
More made with red enchilada sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.