In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the crispy bacon strips until golden brown. Remove the bacon and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the lean ground beef, browning it thoroughly until no pink remains.

Stir in the minced garlic with the ground beef and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef, mixing well to combine. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

In a baking dish, start layering: spoon marinara sauce on the bottom, add lasagna noodles, half of the cheese mixture, beef mixture, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat layers.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.