Why make this recipe
Christmas Lasagna is more than just a comforting dish; it symbolizes gathering around the table with loved ones during the festive season. It’s a rich, hearty meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family. The best part? You can prepare it ahead of time and pop it in the oven on a busy evening. With layers of cheesy goodness, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella, your family will feel the warmth of the holiday spirit with every bite.
How to make Christmas Lasagna
Gathering the ingredients for Christmas Lasagna is simple. You don’t need a long list. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 pound ground sausage (try turkey sausage or mushrooms for a meatless alternative)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once done, drain them and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage over medium heat. Be sure to drain any excess fat to keep it lighter.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This is where the magic begins!
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. This mixture adds creaminess to your lasagna.
- Now, in a 9×13 inch baking dish, start layering: first, spread a layer of the meat sauce, then cover with noodles, add your ricotta mixture, and finally, a sprinkling of mozzarella.
- Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a generous layer of meat sauce and mozzarella on top.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over everything for that touch of perfection.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil if you like – it makes a lovely presentation!
How to serve Christmas Lasagna
Serve your Christmas Lasagna warm and bubbling straight from the oven. It pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners at home, and the leftovers taste even better the next day — if there are any left!
How to store Christmas Lasagna
If you happen to have leftovers (though unlikely!), they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the unbaked lasagna. Just cover it tightly with foil and it will be good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.
Tips to make Christmas Lasagna
- Feel free to swap out the ground meats for turkey or even a blend of veggies like mushrooms and spinach for a vegetarian option.
- If you’re short on time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles, which save you the step of boiling.
- Make sure you have a nice balance of sauce to keep the noodles from getting too dry.
- For a twist, add some diced green peppers or onions to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
Variation
Consider trying white sauce instead of marinara to create a creamy Alfredo-style lasagna. You can also mix up the cheeses — ricotta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese work particularly well together.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Lasagna a day ahead?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna the day before and keep it in the fridge. Just be sure to cover it well to avoid drying out.
Can I freeze this lasagna?
Yes! You can freeze an unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cover it tightly.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Definitely! Substitute the meat with vegetables, like zucchini and mushrooms, or some cooked lentils for added protein. You can also use a plant-based cheese for creaminess.
Happy cooking, and may your family enjoy this delicious Christmas Lasagna around the table this festive season!
Print
Christmas Lasagna
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Meat Lover
Description
A comforting and festive lasagna filled with layers of cheesy goodness and savory meat sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 pound ground sausage (or mushrooms for a meatless alternative)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage over medium heat, draining any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer: meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella, repeating layers until ingredients are used up.
- Finish with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella on top, then sprinkle grated Parmesan over everything.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving, garnishing with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Lasagna, Christmas, Italian, Comfort Food, Holiday Recipes