Ingredients
→ Meat Sauce
1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup crispy cooked beef bacon, crumbled
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
→ Parmesan Garlic Béchamel
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
→ Assembly
12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef until it is well browned. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in marinara sauce, crumbled beef bacon, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, then set aside.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw taste. Gradually add whole milk, whisking steadily, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan and garlic powder, then season with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of the meat sauce across the bottom. Arrange a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top, followed by béchamel sauce, then scatter mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Continue layering sauce, noodles, béchamel, and cheeses, finishing with a layer of cheeses. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Allowing the dish to rest before slicing ensures clean portions and helps retain structure.