Description
This Holiday Christmas Lasagna is a hearty and festive Italian-American dish perfect for family gatherings. Layers of tender lasagna noodles are combined with a savory meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage, rich ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Baked to bubbly perfection, this lasagna offers a comforting balance of flavors and textures that will satisfy any holiday appetite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese Mixtures
- 12 ounces lasagna noodles
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the lasagna.
- Cook the noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles following the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage together until browned, breaking apart the meat and draining any excess fat.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper with the cooked meat, then let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Mix the ricotta filling: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and salt thoroughly to create a creamy cheese mixture.
- Assemble the first layer: Spread a layer of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Layer ingredients: Add a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, then spread a portion of the ricotta mixture, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat layering: Continue alternating layers of meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan until all ingredients are used, making sure the top layer is mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Rest before serving: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes after baking to set up and make serving easier.
Notes
- Using a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth and richness to the meat sauce.
- Be sure to drain excess fat from cooked meat to avoid a greasy lasagna.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps the layers set and makes cutting neater.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meat sauce with a vegetable tomato sauce and use plant-based cheese alternatives.
