Cheese Lasagna with Sprouts & Lardons

Take your classic lasagna dinner and give it a festive twist! This Christmas-inspired recipe features crispy lardons, caramelised Brussels sprouts, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce with melted scamorza. The salty, smoky bacon pairs perfectly with the silky, cheesy filling—lasagna heaven!

Serves: 4-6

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Total Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

  • 250g lardons

  • 300g Brussels sprouts, trimmed & halved

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 11 lasagna sheets (gluten-free if needed)

  • 1 ball mozzarella

For the Cheesy Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil

  • 130g scamorza, grated (+20g extra for layering)

  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, diced

  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced

  • 140ml whole milk

  • 370ml double cream

  • 200ml vegetable stock

  • Generous grating of nutmeg

  • 40g Grana Padano, grated

  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Set to 200°C and prepare a 26cm x 26cm baking tray.

  2. Cook the Lardons & Sprouts:

    • Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat.

    • Fry the lardons for about 4 minutes until crispy, then remove and set aside.

    • In the same pan, add 1 tbsp olive oil and fry the Brussels sprouts for 2 minutes on high heat until slightly charred. Season with salt & pepper, then toss the lardons back in.

  3. Make the Cheese Sauce:

    • Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

    • Add sliced garlic and fry gently for 2 minutes.

    • Pour in the cream, milk, and stock, then stir in the nutmeg, Grana Padano, and scamorza.

    • Let the cheese melt fully, then remove from heat.

  4. Prepare the Lasagna Sheets:

    • Soak in boiled water for 3 minutes to soften.

  5. Assemble the Lasagna:

    • Spread a thin layer of cheese sauce on the bottom of the tray.

    • Add a layer of lasagna sheets, followed by more cheese sauce.

    • Scatter over half the lardon & sprouts mix, tear over half the mozzarella, and grate some scamorza.

    • Repeat the layers.

    • Finish with a final layer of pasta, a generous amount of cheese sauce, grated scamorza, and diced butter pieces on top.

  6. Bake & Serve:

    • Bake for 35 minutes until golden and bubbly.

    • Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

PASTA, DINNERNina Parker