It’s Christmas Eve. The lights are twinkling, carols are humming softly in the background, and the kitchen smells like something wonderful’s about to happen. This Christmas Eve Lasagna brings all that warmth to the table — a comforting dish layered with love, red bolognese, and creamy green pesto ricotta that makes every bite feel like a holiday hug.
Table of Contents
About This Christmas Eve Lasagna
This Christmas Eve Lasagna is a colorful, crowd-pleasing twist on the classic bolognese version. The red sauce comes from a slow-simmered meat bolognese, while the bright green layer is made with basil pesto ricotta. Together, they create a festive presentation that looks right at home on your Christmas Eve dinner table.
It serves about 12 people and takes a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for feeding a family or group gathering. Even better, you can make the sauce ahead of time, making your Christmas cooking stress-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll build this lasagna in three parts: the hearty bolognese, the creamy basil pesto ricotta, and the final cheesy assembly.
For the Bolognese
Start by gathering:
- Olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for a flavorful base
- Ground beef and pork for richness
- Tomato paste, red wine, crushed and diced tomatoes
- Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and a touch of milk to soften the sauce
This combination creates that deep, comforting flavor everyone craves in a winter lasagna.
For the Basil Pesto Ricotta
You’ll need:
- Whole milk ricotta
- Basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- Grated parmesan and a pinch of salt
Mixing these together gives you a creamy, herby green layer that balances the meaty sauce beautifully.
For Assembly
You’ll use:
- Fresh lasagna noodles (or no-boil dried ones)
- Mozzarella and parmesan for melt and flavor
- Fresh basil for a touch of brightness
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Bolognese:
In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft. Add garlic, then the ground meats. Cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste, then deglaze with red wine.
Next, add both tomatoes, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and parmesan rind. Let it simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours. Finally, stir in milk, remove bay leaf, and discard rind.
2. Prepare the Basil Pesto Ricotta:
Mix ricotta, pesto, parmesan, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a thin layer of bolognese on the bottom of your baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, bolognese, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat until you’ve used everything, finishing with noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan.
4. Bake:
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
5. Rest and Serve:
Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil for that final festive touch.
Expert Tips for the Best Festive Lasagna
- Use fresh pasta sheets for a tender bite.
- Make the sauce a day ahead to save time and deepen the flavor.
- Always let the lasagna rest before slicing so the layers hold their shape.
- Highlight the red and green contrast when plating — it’s what makes this dish feel truly Christmas-ready.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this Christmas Eve Lasagna with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables. If you’re pouring wine, a Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly.
You can also serve this alongside festive appetizers like my Italian Cheese Log – A Festive Christmas Appetizer, or start the meal with a cozy bowl of Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. When reheating, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. This helps preserve the creamy layers without drying them out.
Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe Card (Tasty Plugin)
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Christmas Eve Lasagna – Festive, Comforting & Delicious
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
A festive twist on classic lasagna bolognese, with layers of red bolognese sauce and green basil pesto ricotta.
Ingredients
For the Bolognese:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled & finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lbs ground beef
0.5 lb ground pork
1 tablespoon tomato paste
0.5 cup dry red wine
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
1 parmesan rind (optional)
0.5 cup whole milk
For the Basil Pesto Ricotta:
15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
For Assembly:
1.5 lbs fresh lasagna sheets (or 1 box no-boil dried lasagna noodles)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the bolognese sauce by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened.
2. Add garlic, then ground beef and pork; cook until browned.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute; deglaze with red wine.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, seasonings, bay leaf, and parmesan rind.
5. Simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the end and discard bay leaf and parmesan rind.
6. Mix ricotta, pesto, parmesan, and salt in a bowl to make the basil pesto ricotta.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a bit of bolognese on the bottom of a baking dish.
8. Layer lasagna: noodles, bolognese, basil pesto ricotta, mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with noodles, bolognese, mozzarella, and parmesan.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
10. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil.
Notes
Fresh lasagna noodles are recommended for the best texture.
Sauce can be made ahead and stored up to 5 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.
Pesto can be store-bought or homemade; green pesto adds holiday color contrast.
Letting lasagna rest after baking helps it slice neatly.
Great for feeding a crowd or for make-ahead holiday prep.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
More Such Recipes
Looking for more cozy comfort dishes? Try these:
- Easy Dinner Roll Recipe Without Yeast
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Garlic Parmesan Grilled Corn on the Cob
FAQs
Is lasagna good for Christmas Eve?
Yes! Lasagna is a cozy, filling dish that feels special yet familiar. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd on Christmas Eve.
What to serve with lasagna on Christmas Eve?
Garlic bread, green salad, or roasted vegetables pair beautifully. A glass of red wine also fits the festive mood.
What is it traditional to eat on Christmas Eve?
Traditions vary, but many families enjoy hearty pasta, seafood, or roast dishes. This lasagna fits right in as a comforting main.
What is Christmas lasagne?
It’s a holiday-inspired version of classic lasagna, layered with red bolognese and green basil pesto ricotta for a festive look and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Eve Lasagna is more than just dinner — it’s the centerpiece of the night. The red and green layers echo the season’s joy, while the aroma fills the home with comfort. Serve it with love, laughter, and maybe a little extra parmesan.
You can find more holiday inspiration and share your creations on Pinterest or follow along on Facebook.