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.

Christmas Lasagna Recipe | Ultimate Holiday Comfort Dish

Name: Christmas Lasagna Recipe | Ultimate Holiday Comfort Dish
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 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; 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; 10–12 oz no-boil lasagna noodles; 24 oz (6 cups) mozzarella cheese, shredded; 100g (1¼ cups) parmesan cheese, shredded

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

Scale

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

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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