Move Over, Lasagna: Gluten-Free Pastel Azteca is a Showstopper
Move Over, Lasagna: Gluten-Free Pastel Azteca is a Showstopper
October 11, 2024
Pastel azteca is a homey, family-style casserole in the vein of lasagna, with delicate layers of corn tortillas taking the place of noodles, requesón and quesillo standing in for ricotta and mozzarella (although you can sub those, if you don't have access to good Mexican cheese), and spicy salsa verde (or roja) standing in for tomato sauce. We don't typically like to describe Mexican dishes in relation to those from other cultures, but this one feels like a pretty direct comparison — plus, isn't lasagna inspired by moussaka? We've stuffed shredded chicken, corn, and poblanos into the mix, so together with the veggie-laden salsa, this meal hits all the right notes.
All Comments
Hi Margarita, great question! You can use about 1½ to 2 cups of store-bought salsa verde to replace the homemade version in the recipe. That should give you a similar amount and consistency. Let us know how it turns out!
How much salsa verde is needed? If using store bought. I found an excellent quality salsa verde at the grocery store. It’s very hard to find fresh tomatillos in our area
Hi Lisa! You can assemble the pastel azteca up to 1 day in advance and keep it tightly covered in the fridge before baking. If you want to freeze it, assemble it in a freezer-safe dish and cover it well. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bake as usual. Let us know if you have any additional questions.
How much in advance could i make this before cooking? Or could i freeze it before baking?
Hi Cyndi! Yes, absolutely! You can substitute shrimp for the chicken, or use any protein of your choice for the filling. Let us know how it turns out!