Pastel Azteca (Mexican Tortilla Lasagne)
Layers of corn tortilla, shredded chicken, sweetcorn, ranchera sauce and cream baked until golden, a Mexican family favourite.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.82 a head
- Oven200°C (180°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 200°C (180°C fan). Fry the pepper in the oil for 4 minutes until soft. Stir in the sweetcorn and the shredded chicken and warm for 2 minutes.
6 min - 2
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan or microwave so they are pliable.
- 3
Spread 100 ml of your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) over the base of a 25 cm square dish. Add a layer of 4 tortillas, overlapping.
- 4
Spread over half the chicken mixture, a third of the remaining sauce, a third of the soured cream, and a third of the cheese.
- 5
Repeat once more, then finish with a last layer of tortillas, the remaining sauce, crema and cheese.
- 6
Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling and golden at the edges. Rest for 10 minutes, then cut into squares.
25 min
Tips
- Resting for 10 minutes lets the layers set so it cuts cleanly.
- Make it a day ahead and bake from cold, adding 10 minutes.
- Use roast chicken leftovers to save time.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep covered in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the chicken with 400 g cooked black beans or sauteed mushrooms and use vegetarian cheese.
Why is it called pastel azteca?
It means Aztec cake. It is a layered dish that echoes the idea of lasagne, built from tortillas and a chilli sauce.
More made with salsa ranchera
Huevos Ahogados en Salsa Ranchera (Eggs Poached in Ranchera Sauce)
NFVPan de Cazón Campechano (Layered Tortillas with Fish, Black Beans and Habanero Tomato Sauce)
GFDFEFNopales Rancheros (Cactus in Ranchera Sauce)
DFEFNFChiles Rellenos de Barbacoa en Caldillo (Stuffed Poblanos in Tomato Sauce)
NFDouble 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.