Ultimate Cheesy Bacon Burger Lasagna
Indulge in the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger layered within a comforting lasagna. This Ultimate Cheesy Bacon Burger Lasagna combines savory ground beef, hearty tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheeses all topped with crispy bacon. Perfect for gatherings and family dinners, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. Prepare ahead of time for an effortless, crowd-pleasing meal that combines the best of both worlds—burgers and lasagna!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (at least 80% lean, browned)
medium onions
2 (chopped (1 cup))
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
chunky tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can (use as is)
water
1 cup (to thin sauce)
egg
1 (beaten)
ricotta cheese
1 (15 ounce) container (use as is)
shredded swiss cheese
1 cup (divided into layers (4 oz))
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
bacon
8 slices (crisply cooked and crumbled (1/2 cup))
uncooked lasagna noodles
12 (use as is)
shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups (divided into layers (8 oz))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Spray a 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef, chopped onions, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat.
4
Stir in the chunky tomato sauce and water into the beef mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
5
In a medium bowl, beat the egg lightly with a fork. Add the ricotta cheese, shredded Swiss cheese, chopped parsley, and 1/4 cup of crumbled bacon. Mix until well combined.
6
Spread approximately 1 cup of the beef mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place 4 uncooked lasagna noodles on top.
7
Layer half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 2 cups of the beef mixture, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
8
Repeat the layering process starting with another 4 lasagna noodles, followed by the remaining ricotta mixture, 2 cups of the beef mixture, and again 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
9
Finish with the remaining 4 noodles, the last of the beef mixture, and top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
10
To prevent sticking, spray a 15-inch piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the lasagna with it, sprayed side down.
11
Refrigerate the lasagna for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
12
When ready to bake, place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
13
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbly and golden brown on top.
14
Let the lasagna sit covered for 10 minutes before slicing into servings.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Cheesy Bacon Burger Lasagna?
It is a fusion dish that combines the classic flavors of a bacon cheeseburger—including ground beef, bacon, and cheddar cheese—with the traditional layered structure of a pasta lasagna.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the lasagna.
Do I need to boil the lasagna noodles before assembly?
No, this recipe specifically uses 12 uncooked lasagna noodles. They soften during the refrigeration and baking process by absorbing moisture from the sauce.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How long does it take to cook the ground beef?
The ground beef and chopped onions should be cooked in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is browned.
Why is water added to the tomato sauce?
Water is added to the chunky tomato sauce to thin it out, providing the necessary liquid for the uncooked noodles to hydrate and cook properly in the oven.
What ingredients are in the ricotta cheese mixture?
The ricotta mixture consists of one 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese, one lightly beaten egg, 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup of crumbled bacon.
How many layers of noodles are in this lasagna?
There are three layers of noodles in total, with 4 uncooked lasagna noodles used in each layer.
How much bacon is needed for the recipe?
You will need 8 slices of bacon that have been crisply cooked and crumbled, which equals approximately 1/2 cup.
Can I bake the lasagna immediately after assembling?
The recipe recommends refrigerating the assembled lasagna for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the noodles to begin softening.
How do I prevent the foil from sticking to the cheese?
Spray a 15-inch piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and place it sprayed-side down over the lasagna before refrigerating and baking.
How long does the lasagna need to bake?
Bake the lasagna covered for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Why should the lasagna sit before slicing?
Letting the lasagna sit covered for 10 minutes after baking allows the layers to set, making it much easier to slice into clean servings.
What type of ground beef is best for this dish?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef, preferably at least 80% lean.
Which cheeses are used in this lasagna?
This recipe uses three types of cheese: ricotta cheese, shredded Swiss cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
How much cheddar cheese is required?
A total of 2 cups (8 oz) of shredded cheddar cheese is used, divided among the different layers.
How long should the beef and sauce mixture simmer?
After adding the tomato sauce and water to the beef, the mixture should simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
What goes on the very top of the lasagna?
The final layer consists of the last of the beef mixture, the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, and the remaining crumbled bacon.
Is the parsley fresh or dried?
The recipe specifies 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped.
Should I drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, after browning the beef and onions, you should drain the excess fat before adding the sauce.
What kind of tomato sauce is used?
The recipe requires one 28-ounce can of chunky tomato sauce.
How much Swiss cheese goes into the ricotta mix?
1 cup (4 oz) of shredded Swiss cheese is mixed into the ricotta filling.
What is the first layer placed in the baking dish?
The assembly begins by spreading approximately 1 cup of the prepared beef and sauce mixture onto the bottom of the greased dish.
Can I prepare this dish a day in advance?
Yes, the lasagna can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe uses 2 medium onions, which should result in about 1 cup when chopped.
How do I know the lasagna is finished baking?
The lasagna is done when the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top has turned golden brown.
Does the recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, it uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, or more to taste, added while browning the beef.
Is the egg added directly to the sauce?
No, the egg is beaten and mixed into the ricotta cheese to act as a binder for the cheese layer.
Can I use a different size pan?
While a 13x9-inch dish is recommended for the number of layers and noodles, you could use a similar 3-quart capacity dish, though cooking times may vary.
What makes this a 'burger' lasagna?
The combination of ground beef, onions, cheddar, Swiss cheese, and bacon replicates the specific flavor profile of a loaded cheeseburger within a pasta format.