In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the crispy bacon strips until they’ve reached that perfect crunch. Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet, brown the lean ground beef over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then add marinara sauce.

In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese with half of the Parmesan, adding salt and pepper.

In a baking dish, layer beef sauce, no-boil noodles, half the cheese mixture, and mozzarella, repeating until all ingredients are used.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, uncover and add remaining mozzarella, bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.