
This Christmas Night Lasagna is the perfect warm, comforting dish to serve during the holidays! Layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and tender pasta, this festive lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re gathering with family or hosting a holiday dinner, this hearty, cheesy, and satisfying meal will bring joy to your table!
🥄 Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Ricotta Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Other Layers:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, for topping
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in ground beef (or sausage) and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
- Add basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Make the Ricotta Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic powder. Mix well and set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Repeat the layers two more times: meat sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Bake the Lasagna
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
🍽 Tips for the Best Lasagna
✔️ Let it rest! Allowing the lasagna to sit for 10-15 minutes after baking helps it hold its shape when sliced.
✔️ Make it ahead! Prepare the lasagna a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
✔️ Use no-boil noodles for an even easier prep! Just add an extra ½ cup of sauce to keep them soft.
✔️ Add a festive touch by using spinach or basil in the ricotta mixture for a hint of Christmas green!
🎁 Serving Suggestions
Pair this Christmas Night Lasagna with:
🍷 A glass of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Chianti)
🥗 A fresh Caesar salad or garlic bread
🎄 A cozy holiday dessert like Tiramisu or Cranberry Orange Cake
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