11/02/2026
CHILI N’ CHEESE CHIPOTLE LASAGNA! Recipe below!! For my last day at DC Central Kitchen I am judging the Chili Cook-Off, where the students i worked with yesterday are competing to make the best from-scratch chili possible. As the judge, it only seemed fair to do my own version of chili: Chilli n’ Cheese Chipotle Lasagna. Full recipe below!!! DoorDash Realize The Dream DC Central Kitchen
Chili n’ cheese chipotle lasagna recipe:
1 tbsp oil (any oil works)
1 large onion, diced
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
2 tbsp adobo paste
3 cups of tomato sauce
3 cups of assorted canned beans, strained (black, garbanzo, kidney, etc)
5 tbsp butter
5 tbsp flour
4 cups whole milk
4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4–5 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise (OR use regular lasagna sheets)
Salt, to taste
For the chili: In a large pot, add oil and diced onion. Cook for 5 min over medium heat. Add spices and adobo, cook for another 3 min. Add tomato sauce and simmer uncovered for about 1 hr. Add 2 tsp salt, then taste and season with more if needed. Set aside.
For the béchamel: In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add about ¼ cup of milk and whisk vigorously until a paste forms. Add another ¼ cup of milk and whisk. Repeat until all the milk is added and there are no lumps. Keep over medium heat until the milk is hot and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat and add 1½ cups of cheddar cheese. Stir until combined. Season with 2 tsp salt. Add more if needed.
To assemble: In a large 9x13 oven-safe dish, add enough sauce to coat the bottom. Top with thinly sliced zucchini “sheets” or regular lasagna sheets. Add a layer of béchamel and a sprinkle of cheese. Add another layer of sheets, then top with chili. Repeat layers, alternating between sauces. Finish by covering the top layer with cheese. Cover with foil and bake in a 375°F oven for 45 min, then remove the foil and cook until the cheese on top is golden brown. Let me know if you have any questions!
