Get ready to meet your new favorite family dinner. This Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna recipe combines two of the most beloved comfort foods into one epic, cheesy, and satisfying casserole. Imagine layers of rich, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy “special sauce” cheese filling, all nestled between tender lasagna noodles and topped with a blanket of melted cheddar. It’s the dinner mashup you didn’t know you needed, but won’t be able to forget.
We’ve created a recipe that is not only packed with flavor but is also incredibly easy to assemble. It’s the perfect dish for a weeknight meal, a weekend gathering, or whenever you’re craving something truly indulgent. This is more than just a meal; it’s an experience.
Why This Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe Works
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a thoughtfully crafted dish designed for maximum flavor and success in your home kitchen. We’ve taken the classic lasagna structure and infused it with everything you love about a juicy bacon cheeseburger.
- Unbeatable Flavor Fusion: The combination of seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, tangy burger sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese creates a flavor profile that is both familiar and excitingly new.
- Perfectly Balanced Layers: We’ve perfected the ratio of meat sauce to cheese filling to pasta, ensuring every single bite is saucy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. No dry lasagna here!
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt for specialty items. This recipe uses pantry staples and common grocery store finds to create a show-stopping meal.
- Crowd-Pleasing Potential: It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it the perfect centerpiece for your family dinner table. For another guaranteed crowd-pleaser, try these ham and cheese crescent roll-ups.
Ingredients You’ll Need
At the heart of this Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna are simple ingredients that come together for an extraordinary taste. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Meat Sauce:
- Ground Beef: 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 works best)
- Bacon: 8 slices, cooked and crumbled, plus more for topping
- Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 (15 oz) can, undrained
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
- Ketchup: 1/4 cup
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste
For the Cheese Filling & Pasta:
- Ricotta Cheese: 15 oz whole milk ricotta
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 4 cups, divided
- Egg: 1 large
- Dill Pickles: 1/2 cup, finely chopped
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Lasagna Noodles: 9-12 standard noodles, cooked al dente
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to assemble your delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna. Breaking it down makes the process quick and manageable.
1. Prepare the Meats
Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet. Crumble the bacon once it has cooled. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Create the “Burger” Sauce
To the skillet with the beef, stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir in the crumbled bacon, reserving some for the topping.
3. Mix the Cheese Layer
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, the large egg, chopped dill pickles, and fresh parsley. Mix until everything is well incorporated. This mixture acts as the creamy, tangy “special sauce” element of our lasagna.
4. Assemble the Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Top with one-third of the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers one more time: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of the meat sauce, and another cup of cheddar cheese. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the last of the meat sauce, and the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial for allowing it to set up properly. Top with the reserved crumbled bacon before serving.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Lasagna
Want to ensure your lasagna is the talk of the town? Follow these expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Cook your lasagna noodles just until they are al dente. They will continue to cook in the oven, and this prevents them from becoming mushy.
- Let It Rest: This is the most important tip! Letting the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven is essential. It allows the layers to set, so you can get clean, beautiful slices.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in starches that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best gooey, cheesy results, buy a block of cheddar and shred it yourself.
- Use Whole Milk Ricotta: For a richer, creamier cheese layer, opt for whole milk ricotta cheese. It makes a noticeable difference in the final texture. If you love rich, cheesy pasta dishes, you might also enjoy our white chicken lasagna soup.
What to Serve with Your Lasagna
This Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the dish. Steamed green beans or a side of garlic bread are also excellent choices. For something a little different, this refreshing pineapple and cucumber salad (coming soon) offers a fantastic contrast.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
One of the best things about lasagna is that the leftovers are often even better the next day!
- To Store: Let the lasagna cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. To reheat a larger portion, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire lasagna a day in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Yes! While cheddar gives it that classic cheeseburger flavor, you could also use a Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for an extra cheesy pull.
To prevent a watery lasagna, make sure your meat sauce has simmered and thickened properly. Also, using whole milk ricotta cheese, which is naturally creamier and less watery than skim, helps create a stable, rich cheese layer.
A classic smoked bacon, whether thick-cut or regular, works perfectly. The key is to cook it until it’s nice and crispy so it adds a great texture to the dish.
This dish is very rich, so it pairs well with simple sides. A light green salad, steamed vegetables like green beans or broccoli, or a classic side of garlic bread are all excellent choices.
The Perfect Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tbsp of grease. Crumble bacon when cool. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir in most of the crumbled bacon, reserving some for topping.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar, the egg, chopped dill pickles, and parsley. Mix well.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with noodles, half of the ricotta mixture, one-third of the meat sauce, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, another third of meat sauce, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the last cup of cheddar cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Top with reserved bacon and serve.
Notes
Shred Your Own Cheese: For the best, gooiest melt, shred a block of cheddar cheese yourself. Pre-shredded varieties have anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
Al Dente Noodles: Be sure to cook your lasagna noodles just until al dente, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
Share Your Creation!
We know this Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna will become a staple in your recipe collection. It’s the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share your photos and thoughts in the comments below or tag us on Pinterest. Happy cooking!
