A delicious and hearty Cheesy Garlic Bacon Lasagna that combines layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheeses for a delightful meal.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 10 minutes
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
9 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef
1 pound bacon, chopped
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 ounces marinara sauce
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the marinara sauce, cooked bacon, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for about 5 minutes.
In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, and then a third of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with noodles and the remaining meat sauce on top.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef and bacon with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
Add layers of sautéed zucchini or bell peppers for extra vegetables and flavor.