Parmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna (Printable Version)

Hearty lasagna layered with bacon, beef, and parmesan garlic béchamel.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Meat Sauce

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 cup crispy cooked bacon, crumbled
05 - 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Parmesan Garlic Béchamel

09 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
11 - 2 cups whole milk
12 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 2 teaspoons garlic powder
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Assembly

15 - 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
16 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Steps to Cook:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add marinara sauce, crumbled bacon, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes and set aside.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then slowly whisk in milk. Stir continuously until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add grated Parmesan and garlic powder, then season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
03 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with lasagna noodles, a layer of béchamel, shredded mozzarella, and cheddar. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
04 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing to ensure clean, stable portions.
02 - Simmering the meat sauce with bacon intensifies its flavor and adds smokiness.
03 - A combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan adds depth and richness to each layer.