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Christmas Eve Lasagna

Christmas Eve Lasagna

This Christmas Eve Lasagna is a festive comfort food featuring layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 slices
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ pound Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Add a layer of lasagna noodles, then spread some ricotta mixture over the noodles, add mozzarella cheese, and spoon over more meat sauce.
  • Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with meat sauce on top and the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.
  • Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Let the lasagna rest before slicing so the layers hold together better and serve more cleanly. If you use oven-ready noodles, make sure the sauce is not too thick so the pasta softens properly while baking. For the best flavor, make the meat sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight before assembling the lasagna.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 860mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g
Keyword baked pasta, Christmas Eve Lasagna, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, holiday meal, make-ahead recipe
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