This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Lasagna is a decadent mashup of two family favorites: a juicy cheeseburger and a classic lasagna. It features savory layers of garlic-infused ground beef simmered in marinara, tender noodles, and a unique creamy ranch-parmesan sauce that takes the flavor to the next level.
Topped with bubbly mozzarella and baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves bold, cheesy goodness.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: It combines the savory meatiness of a burger with the tang of marinara and the creamy, zesty kick of ranch and parmesan.
- Texture: Soft layers of pasta are cushioned by a rich meat sauce and gooey melted cheese, with a slight crunch from the baked top.
- Time: 20 minutes prep, 40 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves browning meat and simple layering.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet to cook the beef filling and a 9×13 baking dish for assembly. A large pot is needed to boil the noodles. The ingredients rely on ground beef, standard lasagna noodles, and a surprise twist of ranch dressing mixed with parmesan to create a creamy white layer.
Ingredient Notes
- Lasagna Noodles – You will need 12 cooked noodles. Cooking them just under al dente is key because they will continue to soften in the oven as they absorb the sauces.
- Ground Beef – Lean ground beef works best to keep the lasagna from being too greasy, but any fat content works as long as you drain it well.
- Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce (2 cups) to create the “burger” tomato base.
- Ranch Dressing – This adds a tangy creaminess that mimics a gourmet burger sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty bite to the ranch mixture.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded mozzarella provides the essential stretchy cheese layer that holds everything together.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic sautéed with the beef adds aromatic depth.
- Bacon – Crumbled bacon is mentioned in the instructions (though missing from the ingredient list) – it adds a smoky, savory crunch to the creamy layer.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Meat – You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the beef if you prefer.
- Veggies – Diced onions or pickles can be added to the beef mixture for an even more authentic “cheeseburger” vibe.
- Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese can be swapped for some of the mozzarella for a sharper flavor profile.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Lasagna
- Prep Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling salted water until they are just under al dente. Drain them and set aside (lay them flat on parchment paper so they don’t stick).
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the minced garlic until the meat is cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a minute to combine.
- Make Creamy Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon (optional but recommended).
- Assemble: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a 9×13 baking dish, spread a thin layer of the beef mixture on the bottom. Layer with 3-4 noodles. Top with more beef mixture, a drizzle of the ranch-parmesan mixture, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers (noodles, beef, ranch, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil (tent it slightly so it doesn’t stick to the cheese). Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set.
Pro Tip: Undercooking the noodles slightly is crucial. If you cook them until soft before baking, they will become mushy after 40 minutes in the oven with the sauce. Aim for noodles that still have a bit of a “bite.”
Recipe Tips
- Prevent Sticking: To keep the foil from pulling off your beautiful cheese layer, spray the underside of the foil with nonstick cooking spray before covering the dish.
- Layering: Don’t worry if your layers aren’t perfect. Lasagna is meant to be rustic. Just ensure you spread the sauce to the edges so the noodle ends don’t dry out.
- Resting Time: The 5-minute rest is essential. If you cut into bubbling hot lasagna immediately, the layers will slide apart. Giving it a moment allows the cheese and sauce to firm up.
FAQs
- Can I use oven-ready noodles? Yes, but you may need to add a little extra marinara sauce or a splash of water to the meat mixture to ensure there is enough liquid to cook the noodles.
- Is this spicy? No, it is very mild and kid-friendly. You can add red pepper flakes to the beef if you want some heat.
- How do I store leftovers? Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Salad: A simple green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the cheese and meat.
- Bread: Garlic breadsticks are perfect for scooping up any extra sauce.
- Pickles: Serve with a side of dill pickles to lean into the “cheeseburger” theme.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Assembly: You can assemble the entire lasagna a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time since it will be cold.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked lasagna (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Lasagna
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8-10 Servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Lasagna is a decadent mashup of two family favorites: a juicy cheeseburger and a classic lasagna. It features savory layers of garlic-infused ground beef simmered in marinara, tender noodles, and a unique creamy ranch-Parmesan sauce that takes the flavor to the next level. Topped with bubbly Mozzarella and baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves bold, cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
The Layers
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- 1 lb ground beef (lean preferred)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The Creamy Ranch Mixture
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled bacon (highly recommended for the savory crunch)
Instructions
Prep Noodles
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until they are just under al dente (still firm). Drain and lay flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Cook Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for a minute to combine.
Make Creamy Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon (if using).
Assemble
Base: Spread a thin layer of the beef marinara mixture on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Layer 1: Place 3–4 noodles over the sauce. Top with a portion of the beef mixture, drizzle with the ranch-Parmesan sauce, and sprinkle with Mozzarella.
Repeat: Repeat the layers (noodles -> beef -> ranch -> Mozzarella) until all ingredients are used.
Top: Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with any remaining sauce and a generous layer of Mozzarella cheese.
Bake
Cover the dish with aluminum foil (spray the underside with oil so cheese doesn’t stick). Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Rest & Serve
Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Why? This allows the layers to set so they don’t slide apart when you cut into it.
Notes
Noodle Texture: Undercooking the noodles slightly is crucial. They will absorb moisture from the sauce while baking. If you boil them until soft, they will turn mushy in the casserole.
The “Cheeseburger” Twist: For an even more authentic cheeseburger flavor, you can swap half the Mozzarella for sharp Cheddar cheese and add diced onions or pickles to the beef mixture.
Foil Trick: To keep the cheese from sticking to the foil, tent it slightly over the dish or spray the side touching the food with non-stick cooking spray.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire lasagna a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Add 10–15 minutes to the initial baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cheeseburger lasagna, ground beef casserole, ranch recipes, creamy lasagna, family dinner ideas, kid friendly meals, comfort food lasagna
