Pastel Azteca de Res (Aztec Beef Tortilla Bake)
Layers of corn tortilla, spiced beef, sweetcorn, peppers and cheese baked in red chilli sauce. A Mexican lasagne.
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 10
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.95 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 the oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Brown the beef mince for 6 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Add the onion, garlic and sliced poblano and cook for 6 minutes.
12 min - 2
Stir in the sweetcorn, cumin, salt and 150 ml of your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe). Simmer for 5 minutes until thick.
5 min - 3
Spread 3 tablespoons of the remaining red sauce in a 23 x 30 cm baking dish. Cover with 4 corn tortillas, overlapping a little. Top with a third of the beef filling, a quarter of the cheese and a drizzle of soured cream.
- 4
Repeat to make 3 layers of tortilla and filling. Finish with a layer of tortillas, the remaining red sauce, and the rest of the cheese.
- 5
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes more, until golden and bubbling.
40 min - 6
Rest for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with more soured cream.
10 min
Tips
- Warm the tortillas for 10 seconds per side first so they bend without cracking.
- Resting for 10 minutes helps the layers set so the slices hold together.
- Poblanos are mild. If you cannot find them, use green peppers and add a chopped jalapeño.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze portions for up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Use 500 g cooked shredded chicken, or minced turkey, and cook with the vegetables as in the recipe. The sauce keeps the dish moist.
Is pastel azteca authentic?
It is a classic Mexican home dish, a layered tortilla bake like a casserole, usually made with chicken, poblano and cream. This version swaps in beef.
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.