Christmas Lasagna – A Festive Twist on a Classic Italian Favorite

Rich layers of saucy meat, creamy ricotta, and golden cheese make this Christmas Lasagna the ultimate holiday comfort dish. Its festive colors, cozy aroma, and make-ahead ease make it perfect for family gatherings or Christmas dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Lasagna

This isn’t your average lasagna. Christmas Lasagna shines with festive red sauce, creamy green spinach layers, and plenty of bubbling cheese on top.

The no-boil noodles make prep quick, while the sauce simmers into a deep, rich flavor that fills the kitchen with that unmistakable holiday aroma. You can even assemble it ahead, refrigerate, or freeze it for stress-free entertaining.

Each bite combines tender pasta, herby sausage, and creamy ricotta for a dish that feels both classic and celebratory. Perfect for feeding a crowd or cozy family dinner, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone linger around the table just a bit longer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the meat sauce, you’ll need 1 lb ground Italian sausage and 1 lb ground beef for richness. Add garlic-infused olive oil, a medium onion, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, and seasoning. Let it simmer until thick and fragrant.

For the ricotta-spinach layer, use fresh spinach cooked lightly in olive oil, blended with ricotta, parmesan, eggs, salt, and a touch of red pepper flakes for creaminess and flavor.

For the cheese and pasta layers, grab mozzarella, parmesan, and no-boil lasagna noodles. The no-boil kind saves time and still gives a soft, tender texture.

If you prefer, traditional noodles work too—just cook them al dente. You’ll also need two 8×8-inch pans or one 9×13-inch baking dish, foil, and a ladle.

Substitutions are easy: use regular olive oil instead of garlic-infused, or swap dried herbs for fresh ones.

Ingredient Highlights

Italian sausage gives this lasagna its bold, savory depth. Spinach adds a fresh, festive green layer that feels perfect for Christmas. Fresh basil ties everything together with a sweet, aromatic note that balances the hearty sauce and cheeses beautifully.

How to Make Christmas Lasagna Step-by-Step

Making Christmas Lasagna is easier than it looks. You’ll brown the meat, stir up a rich sauce, and blend a creamy ricotta mix.

Then, layer everything together with plenty of cheese and sauce. The best part? You can bake it fresh right away or freeze it for later.

Step 1 – Prepare the Meat Sauce

In a large pan, cook sausage and beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain extra fat, then sauté onion in garlic olive oil until soft. Add tomato paste and cook until darkened for a deep flavor. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes until thick and flavorful.

Step 2 – Make the Spinach Ricotta Layer

In another pan, wilt the spinach in olive oil, then cool it slightly. Blend with ricotta, parmesan, eggs, salt, and red pepper flakes until creamy and smooth. This gives your lasagna a beautiful light-green color and fluffy texture.

Step 3 – Assemble the Lasagna

Grease your baking dish and spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom. Add noodles, another layer of sauce, and some cheese.

Next, add another set of noodles and the ricotta-spinach mixture. Repeat these layers until you have four in total.

Finish with a generous layer of cheese on top. Make sure no-boil noodles touch sauce or ricotta directly so they cook evenly.

Step 4 – Bake or Freeze for Later

If baking right away, cover with greased foil and bake at 400°F for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing — this helps the layers hold together.

If frozen, bake covered for 75 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 minutes more until perfectly hot and bubbly.

Tips for Perfect Holiday Lasagna

Keep noodles moist by making sure every piece touches either sauce or filling.

Use fresh herbs if you can—they make a big difference in flavor. To freeze, wrap tightly and label with the date.

When baking from frozen, check the center after 60 minutes to ensure it’s hot before uncovering. For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.

Let it rest before slicing. This helps the layers set so each piece holds beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Christmas Lasagna with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread.

Roasted vegetables or Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes for Christmas also make perfect sides for this hearty meal.

For a stunning table presentation, sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top before serving. It’s rich, cozy, and tastes just as festive as it looks.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing Tips

You can prep Christmas Lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate it before baking. It keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge.

To freeze, assemble and wrap tightly in foil. When ready, bake straight from frozen.

Portion leftovers into small containers for quick lunches or cozy dinners. It reheats beautifully in the oven or microwave without drying out.

Common Questions About Christmas Lasagna

Related Recipes to Try

• Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe
• Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread
• Stuffed Shells Christmas Dinner
• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes for Christmas
• Christmas Stuffed Pasta Recipe
• Chicken Casserole for Christmas Dinner

Conclusion

Christmas Lasagna brings cozy Italian comfort to your holiday table. It’s easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and always crowd-pleasing. Serve it with fresh salad, bread, and laughter—it’s everything a festive meal should be. For more ideas, visit Cozy Recipes on Pinterest and make your holiday table unforgettable.

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