Description

Christmas Eve Lasagna is the ultimate holiday comfort food — layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella baked to golden perfection. This festive lasagna delivers everything you love about Italian dinners with a touch of Christmas warmth and nostalgia. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or cozy family dinners, it’s a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (85/15)
1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar

For the Cheese Mixture:

15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)

For Assembling:

12 oven-ready lasagna noodles
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Extra Parmesan for topping

Instructions

Make the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and sausage, breaking apart while browning. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the ricotta mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and sauce. Repeat twice more, ending with sauce and mozzarella on top.
Bake: Cover with foil (spray with oil to prevent sticking) and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use high-quality cheese for the richest, meltiest texture.
Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing—this keeps layers intact.
Simmer the sauce long enough for flavors to deepen.
Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add festive aroma and flavor.
Assemble ahead of time for an easy make-ahead Christmas dinner.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dinner, Holiday, Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 540
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: Christmas Eve Lasagna, Holiday Lasagna Recipe, Italian Christmas Dinner, Meat Lasagna, Baked Pasta, Festive Dinner Recipes, Comfort Food