~ CHEESY BACON LOVERS LASAGNA ~ THE BOMB!

~ Cheesy Bacon Lovers Lasagna ~ The Bomb! image

Provided by Cassie *

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef
salt & pepper to taste
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp chunky garlic paste or minced garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp italian herb paste or can use dried italian seasoning
24 oz delgrosso pepperoni flavored pasta sauce or your favorite. i was going to make homemade, but decided not this time
26 - 28 oz thick sliced bacon - baked on foil in the oven until not quite crisp as it will crisp up more as it cools - reserve 13 nice strips and crumble the rest for the sauce
14. 5 oz can - red pack - diced tomatoes, drained
2 1/2 c each - whole milk fresh shredded mozzarella cheese & fresh shredded sharp cheddar cheese ( reserve 1/2 cup of each for topping )
9 no cook lasagna noodles

Steps:

1. Cook your bacon at 375 degree F. for 20 - 25 minutes, on foil lined sheet pan. Drain on paper towels.
2. Mix the cheeses together. Reserving 1 cup. Cover & set aside.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat, add ground beef, onion, salt, pepper, Italian herb paste and garlic paste. Cook and stir until onion is tender and ground beef is no longer pink. Reserve 12 - 13 slices of bacon and crumble the rest into ground beef mixture.
4. Add the sauce and drained tomatoes. Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring often.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish or grease. Spread 1 cup sauce on bottom of dish. Lay 3 noodles over sauce, opposite of the length of the dish, they should fit perfectly.
6. Spread about 3/4 cup sauce over noodles and lay 3 slices of bacon over sauce.
7. Next, sprinkle evenly with half of the cheese mix. A little more sauce and 3 more noodles. Spread another cup of sauce, remainder of cheese, 3 more slices of bacon.
8. Lastly 3 more noodles. Spread top with remaining sauce and 6 - 7 slices of bacon. Sprinkle evenly with reserved cheese. Sprinkle with dried parsley. Cover with foil and bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
9. Remove foil and place back into oven for another 12 0 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and lasagna is bubbling.
10. Leave set for about 5 minutes before serving. This gives the lasagna time to set up. Serve with a salad and garlic bread and you have one awesome dinner.