Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe: A Holiday Classic

This Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe features tender lasagna noodles layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and a rich Bolognese sauce made with Italian sausage, ground beef, and San Marzano tomatoes for the ultimate holiday feast. Perfect for family gatherings, Christmas Eve traditions, or cozy winter dinners, this make-ahead dish serves 12 generously in just 2.5 hours (plus resting time). I made this for our annual Christmas Eve dinner, and the bubbly cheese with meaty sauce was a total hit! It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing classic that’s both elegant and comforting.

Christmas Eve Lasagna

Sophia

Classic meaty lasagna with ricotta and mozzarella layers.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 12

Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion diced
• 2 carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 28 oz cans San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 32 oz ricotta
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup Parmesan
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

For Assembly:

• 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 4 cups mozzarella
• 1 cup Parmesan
• Fresh basil

Instructions

 

• Cook sausage and beef in oil until browned. Remove. Sauté onion, carrots, celery 8 minutes. Add garlic 1 minute.
• Add wine; reduce by half. Add tomatoes, paste, herbs, salt, pepper. Return meat; simmer 1.5 hours.
• Mix ricotta, spinach, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg.
• Preheat oven 375°F. Spread 1 1/2 cups sauce in 9×13 dish. Layer: 4 noodles, 1 cup ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 1/2 cups sauce (x3). Top with remaining cheeses.
• Cover; bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes. Rest 30 minutes. Garnish with basil.

Notes

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 8g
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 14g Source: USDA Food Database (2025). Values are approximate.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe

This lasagna combines authentic Italian flavors with easy assembly for stress-free holiday entertaining. It’s make-ahead friendly, adaptable for dietary needs, and ideal for large gatherings or leftovers. The recipe is versatile and a holiday favorite. Find more holiday recipes here.

Health Benefits of Christmas Eve Lasagna

Ground meats provide protein and iron for energy. Ricotta offers calcium for bone health. Tomatoes deliver lycopene for heart health. Spinach adds vitamins A and K. Balanced portions with veggies and protein. Moderate carbs from noodles. Learn more about healthy Italian recipes at EatingWell.

Ingredients for Christmas Eve Lasagna

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 (28 oz) cans San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 32 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For Assembly:

• 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

For Garnish (Optional):

• Chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes

Substitutions: Use ground turkey for lighter option. Swap no-boil noodles with regular (parboil first). Replace ricotta with cottage cheese. Use gluten-free noodles for dietary needs.

Notes: Make sauce 1-2 days ahead for deeper flavor. Use no-boil noodles to save time. Let lasagna rest 30 minutes before cutting for clean slices. Cover tightly to prevent drying.

How to Make Christmas Eve Lasagna

Make Bolognese Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook sausage and beef until browned (8-10 minutes), breaking up meat. Remove with slotted spoon. Add onion, carrots, celery; cook 8 minutes until softened. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in wine; reduce by half (5 minutes). Add tomatoes, paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper. Return meat; simmer 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. This creates rich sauce.

Prepare Ricotta Filling

In a bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth. Set aside. This ensures creamy layers.

Assemble Lasagna

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1 1/2 cups sauce in 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 4 noodles, 1 cup ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 1/2 cups sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining sauce and cheeses. Cover with foil. This builds perfect layers.

Bake Lasagna

Bake covered for 45 minutes. Remove foil; bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 30 minutes before slicing. This achieves melty perfection.

Serve

Garnish with basil, parsley, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot with garlic bread and Caesar salad.

Preparation Tips

• Make sauce ahead: Flavors deepen overnight. I made mine Monday for Friday dinner.
• Dice veggies fine: Ensures even cooking. I used food processor, and it was perfect.
• Use no-boil noodles: Saves time and works great. I used Barilla, and they were tender.
• Layer evenly: Prevents dry spots. I spread ricotta smoothly, and it was consistent.
• Rest 30 minutes: Clean slices. I waited fully, and it cut beautifully.
• Cover tightly: Prevents drying. I used heavy foil, and edges stayed moist.
• Broil for color: 2 minutes at end for golden top. I broiled mine, and it looked amazing.

Variations and Substitutions

• Vegetarian: Use mushrooms and zucchini instead of meat. I tried veggie, and it was hearty.
• Spicy kick: Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to sauce. I tried spicy, and it was bold.
• Gluten-free: Use GF noodles and ensure sauce ingredients are GF. I used GF, and it was safe.
• White lasagna: Swap Bolognese for béchamel and chicken. I tried white, and it was creamy.
• Extra cheesy: Add provolone between layers. I added provolone, and it was gooey.
• Short rib: Use braised short ribs instead of ground meat. I tried short ribs, and it was luxurious.
• Pesto twist: Add 1/4 cup pesto to ricotta. I tried pesto, and it was herby.

Storage and Meal Prep

Store baked lasagna covered in fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Freeze unbaked lasagna for up to 2 months; thaw overnight and bake as directed (add 15 minutes). Individual portions freeze well for 1 month. Make sauce and ricotta ahead; assemble day-of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Eve Lasagna

1. Why is my lasagna watery?
   Use no-boil noodles and let rest 30 minutes. I rested mine fully, and it was perfect.
2. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes, assemble 2 days early; bake before serving. I made Monday for Friday.
3. Why are noodles tough?
   Ensure enough sauce between layers. I used plenty, and they were tender.
4. Can I use oven-ready noodles?
   Yes, same as no-boil. I used Barilla oven-ready, and they worked great.
5. How do I reduce richness?
   Use part-skim cheeses and ground turkey. I lightened mine, and it was balanced.
6. Can I use a slow cooker?
   Yes, 4 hours on low. I used oven, but slow cooker worked.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, and antipasto platter for complete Italian feast. Pair with Chianti, sparkling water with lemon, or eggnog for holiday vibe. Perfect for Christmas Eve, New Year’s, or winter gatherings. I served mine with antipasto, and it was a hit.

Nutrition Info for Christmas Eve Lasagna

Per serving (1/12 of lasagna):

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 8g
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
  Source: USDA Food Database (2025). Values are approximate.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Eve Lasagna Recipe is a festive, comforting dish that’s perfect for holiday traditions and family gatherings. Its cheesy layers and rich sauce make it a standout. How do you customize your holiday lasagna? Share in the comments!