Bacon-Colby Lasagna

Name: Bacon-Colby Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 2 lasagnas (12 servings each).
Ingredients: 24 uncooked lasagna noodles; 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean); 2 medium onions, chopped; 1-1/2 pounds bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 8 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

With both bacon and ground beef, this hearty dish is a real crowd-pleaser. The recipe came from my grandmother, now in her 80s. I've learned so much from helping her in the kitchen. —Cathy McCartney, Davenport, Iowa

Ingredients

24 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 medium onions, chopped
1-1/2 pounds bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook noodles according to package directions for al dente; drain.
In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook beef and onions over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles, 10-12 minutes; drain. Stir in bacon, tomato sauce, tomatoes, sugar and salt; heat through.
Spread 1 cup sauce into each of two greased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Layer each with four noodles, overlapping as needed, 1-2/3 cups sauce and 1-1/3 cups cheese. Repeat layers twice.
Bake, covered, 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly, 5-10 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Freeze option: Cool unbaked lasagnas; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake the lasagna as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 357 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 744mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.

Originally published as Bacon-Colby Lasagna in Taste of Home April/May 2004

Reviews

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pusspuss01

Apr 10, 2016

This really has a good flavor, but next time I will make a few changes. I will add some spices - oregano, basil, parsley and also add a little extra sauce. I found that a 13x9 was actually too big, so I used a little bit smaller pan and only 9 noodles. For that size pan, it just wasn't enough meat and sauce. I did not have a can of diced tomatoes, so I substituted an extra can of tomato sauce. I also cooked the noodles, as I've never had any luck with adding uncooked noodles. I also intend to only use 3 cups of cheese, as I felt it was a little too much.
dschultz01

Mar 7, 2016

Good lasagna recipe. Nice alternative to the standard. I really liked the taste that the bacon added to it. Careful when dividing up the sauce for each layer. I measured everything exactly as written, but came up short for the final layer of sauce. Not sure why. Still came out great, though.
cardonahuffam

Aug 3, 2014

My Favorite and a nice change
Joscy

Jan 17, 2014

My husband is very much a bacon and colby cheese fella. Since we're empty nesters, will cut back recipe for 4 servings. I doubt very much there would be leftovers!
grniis2

Jun 1, 2013

What a great way to do Lasagna! Bacon always makes everything better. Has anyone tried to freeze the second lasagna for later use?
Chewee

Aug 18, 2011

This has been a family favorite ever since I made it. It is fast, easy and delicious! We call it the bacon cheeseburger lasagna.
lovemycoffee

Feb 11, 2011

This was good, and I'll make it again, but not on a regular basis.
nhatalsky

Jan 30, 2011

This recipe is one of my family's favorites! It's not nearly as time-consuming as a regular lasagna, and my kids love the bacon and Colby flavors together as a delicious change! We had one of my son's friends to dinner tonight, and he made me promise to share the recipe with his mom! Yum!
bjeanmarak

Dec 1, 2010

Very greasy and thus rich for a dinner dish.
lab7137

Nov 23, 2009

This recipe was delicious. A co-worker ate 3 plates (so far). I made it with ground turkey instead of ground beef. Really delicious.