Description
BBQ bacon cheeseburger lasagna merges classic comfort with bold flavors, creating a mouthwatering fusion of American barbecue and Italian pasta traditions. Layers of juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese promise a hearty meal that will satisfy hungry crowds at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) diced cooked bacon (about 6 slices)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Herb Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Lasagna Layer and Topping Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) BBQ sauce (for drizzling)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) diced green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Crisp the bacon in a large skillet until golden and brittle, then crumble into bite-sized fragments. Utilize the same pan to sauté ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic until meat is thoroughly browned and caramelized.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat mixture and infuse with tangy BBQ sauce, creating a rich, smoky essence. Enhance the meat’s flavor profile with this bold condiment.
- Craft a creamy cheese blend by combining ricotta, softened cream cheese, whisked egg, and half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar. Season delicately with salt and pepper to elevate the mixture’s complexity.
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating the bottom with a thin layer of BBQ sauce. Construct layered strata, alternating between lasagna noodles, seasoned beef, cheese mixture, scattered bacon bits, and additional BBQ sauce.
- Repeat layering technique, ensuring each component is evenly distributed. Culminate the construction with a generous blanket of remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese, creating a luxurious golden topping.
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Shield the lasagna with aluminum foil, baking for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop.
- Uncover the dish, continue baking for 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, burnished landscape of golden-brown deliciousness.
- Remove from oven and permit the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes, allowing layers to stabilize and intensify in flavor.
- Slice carefully and serve alongside a crisp salad or warm garlic bread to complement the rich, smoky essence of this innovative lasagna creation.
Notes
- Replace traditional lasagna noodles with low-carb zucchini slices for a lighter, gluten-free alternative that adds extra nutrition and reduces calories.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat crumbles to create a leaner protein option that maintains the rich, savory flavor profile.
- Enhance the BBQ sauce with a splash of bourbon or a dash of smoked paprika to intensify the smoky, complex taste without overwhelming the dish.
- Sprinkle crispy fried onions or crushed BBQ potato chips on top before the final cheese layer to add a crunchy texture and extra flavor dimension.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg