The smell of simmering tomato sauce always takes me back to Christmas Eve. Everyone’s gathered, the tree glows softly, and someone’s sneaking mozzarella from the prep bowl. That’s when this Christmas Lasagna makes its grand entrance — rich, hearty, and layered with all the joy the night deserves.
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Why This Christmas Lasagna Is a Holiday Favorite
This Christmas lasagna recipe captures everything you want from a holiday dinner. It’s cozy, colorful, and big enough to feed the whole table. The festive layers of red meat sauce and green spinach ricotta feel as merry as the season itself. Plus, you can make it ahead and bake it on Christmas Eve, leaving you free to sip cocoa instead of rushing around the kitchen.
What Makes It a Christmas Lasagna
This isn’t your everyday lasagna. It’s dressed for the holidays with its red and green layers. The tomato-basil meat sauce fills the house with a warm, garlicky aroma. Meanwhile, the creamy spinach ricotta adds color and comfort in every bite. It’s rich but balanced, hearty but elegant, and freezer-friendly for stress-free holiday prep.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil (or 2 tbsp olive oil + 4 minced garlic cloves)
- 1 medium white onion
- 6 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp fresh basil (or 4 tsp dried)
- 4½ tsp fresh oregano (or 1½ tsp dried)
For the Spinach Ricotta Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 175g (4 cups) fresh spinach
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta
- 40g (½ cup) Parmigiano Reggiano
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Remaining Ingredients
- 10–12 oz no-boil lasagna noodles
- 24 oz (6 cups) shredded mozzarella
- 100g (1¼ cups) shredded parmesan
Essential Tools for This Recipe
You’ll need a cutting board, chef’s knife, kitchen scale or measuring cups, measuring spoons, two saucepans, wooden spatulas, a large prep bowl, a blender or food processor, a 13×9″ casserole dish, foil, and a baking sheet.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Christmas Lasagna
Make the Meat Sauce
Brown the sausage and beef in a large pan. Drain the fat and set aside. In the same pan, cook the onion in garlic oil until soft. Stir in tomato paste and let it deepen in color. Then add the crushed tomatoes and herbs. Return the meat and simmer for 30 minutes until thick and rich.
Prepare the Spinach Ricotta Filling
In a saucepan, sauté spinach in olive oil until wilted. Let it cool slightly, then blend with ricotta, parmesan, eggs, salt, and red pepper flakes until smooth and pale green.
Assemble the Layers
Grease your baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of noodles, half the meat sauce, a sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan. Then add another noodle layer, half the spinach ricotta, and more cheese. Repeat until the pan is full, finishing with mozzarella and parmesan on top.
Bake and Rest
Cover the lasagna with greased foil. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes covered, then uncover for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool for 15 minutes before serving so the layers set beautifully.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
You can assemble the lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate it. Or, freeze it unbaked. From the fridge, bake for 45 minutes covered, then 15 uncovered. From the freezer, bake for about 75 minutes covered and 15 uncovered.
For smaller households, divide the recipe into two 8×8” dishes and freeze one for later.
What to Serve With Christmas Lasagna
Serve this Christmas lasagna with a crisp salad or warm soup. Try a creamy broccoli cheddar soup as a warm starter before your lasagna.
Add some color with garlic herb roasted veggies as a hearty and colorful holiday side dish.
Or pair it with an easy dinner roll recipe without yeast for a perfect side.
Finish your meal with peppermint bark brownies for a festive dessert to serve after lasagna or red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for a sweet holiday finish.
If you need a starter, you’ll love this festive Christmas appetizer idea to complement your holiday lasagna.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Christmas Lasagna
- Don’t overlap the noodles; this helps them cook evenly.
- Always make sure sauce or ricotta touches every noodle edge.
- Let the lasagna rest before cutting so it slices neatly.
- Freeze it before baking to make Christmas Eve prep simple.
- Sprinkle extra parmesan on top before baking for a golden crust.
Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe Card
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Christmas Lasagna Recipe | Ultimate Holiday Comfort Dish
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Festive lasagna layered with savory beef and sausage red sauce and creamy spinach ricotta cheese. Perfect for Christmas Eve or any special family dinner.
Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil (or 2 tbsp olive oil + 4 minced garlic cloves)
1 medium white onion
6 tbsp tomato paste
28 oz crushed tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
4 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
4½ tsp fresh oregano, chopped
For the spinach ricotta filling:
1 tbsp olive oil
175g (4 cups, packed) fresh spinach
15 oz whole milk ricotta
40g (½ cup) Parmigiano Reggiano, shredded
2 large eggs
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Remaining:
10–12 oz no-boil lasagna noodles
24 oz (6 cups) mozzarella cheese, shredded
100g (1¼ cups) parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
1. Brown sausage and beef in large saucepan. Drain fat and set meat aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté onion in garlic oil until soft. Add tomato paste and cook until darkened.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, return meat, season with herbs and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. In another pan, sauté spinach until wilted, then cool.
5. Blend spinach with ricotta, parmesan, eggs, salt, and red pepper flakes.
6. Grease a 13×9” dish. Spread ½ cup meat sauce on bottom.
7. Layer noodles, half meat sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan.
8. Add noodles, half spinach ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
9. Repeat layers and top with remaining cheese.
10. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes.
11. Let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Make ahead by assembling and refrigerating overnight or freezing for later.
From fridge: Bake 45 min covered + 15 min uncovered.
From freezer: Bake 75 min covered + 15 min uncovered.
Serve with salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 770
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1718mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 14g
- Protein: 56g
- Cholesterol: 121mg
More Such Recipes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is lasagna traditional for Christmas?
Yes, in many Italian-American homes, lasagna is a Christmas Eve tradition. It’s rich, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd before the holiday festivities.
What goes with lasagna for Christmas dinner?
Salads, garlic bread, and roasted vegetables all pair beautifully. You can also serve soup or a simple dessert for a balanced meal.
What is a traditional Italian Christmas Day meal?
Families often enjoy dishes like seafood, roasted meats, and festive pasta like lasagna or baked ziti, followed by panettone for dessert.
What does a traditional Christmas dinner consist of?
Typically, it includes a main course like ham, roast beef, or lasagna, served with sides such as potatoes, salad, bread, and something sweet to finish.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas lasagna brings everyone to the table with smiles and full hearts. It’s warm, familiar, and filled with festive color. Make it ahead, bake it golden, and let the aroma fill your home. One pan of love, laughter, and layered comfort — that’s the magic of Christmas Eve.
For more cozy holiday recipes and ideas, find inspiration on Pinterest and follow along on Facebook.