Who doesn’t love lasagna? What about Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna?
I am a fan of a nice and hearty pan of lasagne and have been so for many years. The combination of noodles, sauce, meat, and cheese loaded with garlic, oregano, and other Italian seasonings just makes me hungry. Whether it is fresh out of the oven or as leftovers, I am “all in” with lasagna.
Now, let’s start talking Italian/American fusion. What if we were to take a tasty and delicious cheeseburger, with bacon of course, and mash it up with a savory and cheesey pan of lasagna? Well, I would think that we would have a major hit on our hands.
Let’s see where this idea will be a win.
Key Aspects of Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna
- One - Transforming a Bacon Cheeseburger into a "casserole" format is simply brilliant. Instead of building cheeseburgers one at a time, you have the advantage of being able to cook one main dish and serve it to multiple people at the same time. This way, the Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna is ready to serve and the chef has time to sit down and enjoy the meal
- Two - The layered approach make each bite a bit different. As you assemble your Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna, with no doubt there will be variations within each layer which changes the proportions for each bite. One bite might be heavy cheese, one bite may be all meat, and one bite may be loaded with bacon. This creates variations throughout the meal and avoids taste fatigue.
- Three - Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna is highly customizable. This recipe has specific amounts and specific ingredients, but the recipe is not carved in stone. You can alter it as you see fit, making your meal your own. You want a serious cheese pull? Then, up the cheese. You want to lean hard into the bacon element? Then, double-up on the bacon. Be sure to save some bacon bits for the garnish.
- Four - Leftovers will be a hit. Just like a traditional pan of lasagna, the Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna can be enjoyed for multiple days as leftovers for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Because I find this so delicious, I doubt that it will be in your refrigerator for more than a few days.
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Ingredients for Cheeseburger Lasagna
- 1 pound lasagna noodles (20 strips)
- 1 pound bacon
- 2 cups onions, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 cans tomato sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 c mustard (yellow or spicy brown)
- 2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 whole eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound white American sliced cheeseToppings
Toppings
- Diced dill pickles
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Diced red onion
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Bacon bits
- Burger sauce
Directions for making Cheeseburger Lasagna
Prepare the Ingredients
Bring a large pot of water and a generous pinch of salt to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles. Cook as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Dice bacon and add to a large skillet. Cook the bacon until it begins to crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. When cool, crumble or chop the bacon. Divide into 2/3 and 1/3. Set aside.
Dispose of the bacon fat leaving 2 to 3 tablespoons in the skillet.
Heat the skillet, containing the remaining bacon fat, over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they become translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook through, breaking the ground beef into slightly larger chunks. Remove the skillet from heat. Use a slotted spoon to remove cooked beef and onions.
Remove excess fat from the skillet and return the skillet to the burner. Add the ketchup, mustard, and tomato sauce. Cook for five minutes on medium heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, eggs, cooked crumbled bacon, chopped parsley, salt, pepper and the shredded jack cheese. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Assemble the Lasagna
Spray a 9x13x3-inch glass casserole with kitchen spray or give it a good wipe-down with olive oil or butter.
Spread 2/3 cup of tomato sauce on bottom of the pan then lay out FOUR/FIVE lasagna noodles overlapping to fit.
Top the noodle layer with 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, spreading evenly.
Top the ricotta mixture with half of the American cheese slices; enough to form one single layer.
Layer on FOUR/FIVE more lasagna noodles.
Spread half of the meat mixture evenly on top of the noodle layer and sprinkle on half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Spread another 2/3 cup of tomato sauce over the cheese and layer on FOUR/FIVE more noodles.
Spread another one third ricotta mixture over the noodles and layer the second half of the American cheese.
Top the American with FOUR/FIVE more lasagna noodles, the rest of the meat mixture and the rest of the ricotta mixture.
Finally, top with the remaining FOUR/FIVE lasagna noodles, the remaining tomato sauce and the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake
Cover the pan of lasagna with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Uncover the Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.
Remove from the oven, re-cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes.
Serve and Eat
Portion and serve with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and sauce. And of course, more bacon.
Serve alongside your favorite side dish. Perhaps some classic coleslaw.
Enjoy!