Rich, creamy, and utterly irresistible, this Parmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna is the kind of comfort food that turns an ordinary evening into something special. It layers crispy bacon, garlicky white sauce, gooey cheese, and tender lasagna noodles into a dish thatโs bursting with savory goodness. And the best part? Itโs surprisingly easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something hearty and satisfying.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Easy Weeknight Comfort: A cozy, filling dinner you can pull together without stress.
- Bold, Savory Flavors: Garlic, Parmesan, and bacon bring big flavor to every bite.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a family meal or a casual get-together, everyone loves this twist on traditional lasagna.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the layers, cheese, or protein to suit your preferences.
Ingredients Youโll Need
- Lasagna Noodles: Use regular or oven-ready noodles; they hold everything together beautifully.
- Bacon: Provides that smoky, crispy bite that transforms the whole dish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth to the creamy sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For that melty, stretchy goodness in every layer.
- Garlic: Infuses the sauce with rich, aromatic flavor.
- Butter and Flour: To make a roux for the white sauce base.
- Milk: Helps create a smooth, velvety garlic-Parmesan sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- Parsley (Optional): For a pop of color and freshness before serving.
Variations
- Add Veggies: Try layering in wilted spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Make It Spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce adds gentle heat.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free noodles and flour for the sauce.
- Switch the Cheese: Try fontina or provolone for a twist on flavor and texture.
How to Make Parmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Fry the bacon until crispy, then set aside on paper towels. Once cool, chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
Melt butter in a pan, add minced garlic, then stir in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened, then stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Boil the Noodles
Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions (skip if using oven-ready). Drain and set aside.
Step 4: Layer the Lasagna
Spread a layer of sauce in the baking dish, add noodles, more sauce, chopped bacon, mozzarella, and repeat layers. Finish with extra sauce and cheese on top.
Step 5: Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375ยฐF for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Chop the Bacon Finely: It distributes better throughout the layers.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts better and adds richer flavor.
- Let the Lasagna Rest: This helps it firm up and makes slicing easier.
- Season As You Go: Taste your sauce and adjust seasoning before assembling.
How to Serve
Serve this lasagna with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. Garlic bread or a warm baguette also pairs wonderfully to soak up the creamy sauce. Add a glass of white wine like Chardonnay or a light red for an elevated touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This lasagna freezes beautifully. Wrap individual portions or the whole dish tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350ยฐF until warmed through, or microwave individual slices for 2-3 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes, pre-cooked bacon saves time and still brings plenty of flavor. Just chop it up and add it to the layers as usual.
What if I don’t have Parmesan?
Pecorino Romano or Asiago are great alternatives. They bring similar saltiness and depth.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Just skip the bacon and layer in your favorite roasted or sautรฉed veggies.
Is it okay to assemble the lasagna ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Final Thoughts
This Parmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna is your go-to recipe when you want a comforting, satisfying dish that doesnโt take all day to make. With its rich layers and bold flavors, it’s a guaranteed hit for any night of the week. Give it a tryโyou just might find your new favorite lasagna!
PrintParmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A decadent fusion of cheeseburger and lasagna featuring layers of garlic-Parmesan bรฉchamel sauce, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, marinara, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6–8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or milk + heavy cream)
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 2 Tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375โฏยฐF (190โฏยฐC).
- Cook bacon until crispy; drain, crumble, and set aside.
- In the same skillet, brown ground beef with onion until cooked; drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, cook for about 1 minute, then stir in marinara; simmer for 5โ10 minutes.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour to make a roux for about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk (and cream if used); cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepperโremove from heat.
- In a 9ร13 dish, layer a thin coat of bรฉchamel, 3 noodles, half meat sauce, bรฉchamel, mozzarella/cheddar, and bacon.
- Repeat layering once; top with remaining noodles, sauce, bรฉchamel, cheese, and bacon.
- Cover with foil; bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10โ15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing; garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Make-ahead: assemble ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- Freezing: assemble unbaked, wrap tightly, freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight then bake.
- Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3โ4 days.
- Reheat: oven at 350โฏยฐF for 15โ20 minutes or microwave individual portions.
- Variations: spicy (add jalapeรฑos or red pepper flakes), gluten-free noodles, vegetarian with plant-based crumbles or mushrooms.
- Ensure bรฉchamel consistencyโadd extra milk if too thick.
- Let lasagna rest before serving for cleaner slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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