Parmesan Garlic Bacon Lasagna (Printer-Friendly Version)

Rich layers of beef, bacon, and parmesan béchamel meld with melted cheese in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat Sauce

01 - 1 pound 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 ounces) 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 Follow:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add marinara sauce, crumbled bacon, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes then remove from heat.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in milk and continue cooking until sauce thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
03 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a layer of meat sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread a layer of béchamel. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top. Repeat layering process, finishing with cheese. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top layer.
04 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For best flavor, allow lasagna to rest after baking to set layers and make slicing easier.