Why make this recipe

Holiday Christmas Lasagna is a comforting, crowd-pleasing centerpiece that combines classic Italian flavors with festive ease. It feeds a crowd, reheats beautifully for leftovers, and looks celebratory on the table — perfect for holiday gatherings when you want something hearty, homey, and make-ahead friendly.

introduction

This lasagna layers tender noodles, savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta mixture, finished with bubbling mozzarella and a golden Parmesan top. The result is familiar, satisfying, and easy to customize to dietary needs or the number of guests. It’s a great way to bring comforting warmth to your holiday meal without fuss on the big day.

How to make Holiday Christmas Lasagna

Assemble the lasagna in layers: sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and cheese, repeating until the dish is full. Bake covered to heat through, then uncover to let the cheese brown and bubble. Let it rest before slicing so the layers set for clean portions.

Ingredients :

9 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz marinara sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions :

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey with chopped onion and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
Stir in the marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Start layering in a baking dish: spread a layer of meat sauce, then add a layer of noodles, followed by a layer of the ricotta mixture, then mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers ending with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of the last layer.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Holiday Christmas Lasagna

FAQ

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes — assemble the lasagna, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from cold.

Q: Can I freeze the lasagna?
A: Freeze before or after baking. Wrap tightly; it will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or bake from frozen (allow extra time).

How to serve Holiday Christmas Lasagna

Let the lasagna rest 10 minutes after baking to set the layers. Slice into generous squares and serve with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, and warm garlic bread. Garnish each portion with chopped fresh parsley for a bright, festive touch.

How to store Holiday Christmas Lasagna

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or bake the whole dish covered at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. For freezing, wrap portions or the whole dish tightly; thaw overnight before reheating.

Tips to make Holiday Christmas Lasagna

Cook noodles al dente so they don’t turn mushy after baking.
Drain excess fat from the cooked meat to keep the lasagna from becoming greasy.
Taste and adjust seasoning in the sauce and ricotta mix — a little salt, pepper, and herbs go a long way.
Use a shallow baking dish for even layers and faster baking.
Let the lasagna rest before slicing to get clean, stable portions.

Variation (if any)

Vegetarian: Replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, and spinach or use a lentil-based sauce.
Sausage: Substitute or mix Italian sausage with the ground meat for a spicier, richer flavor.
White lasagna: Swap marinara for a béchamel sauce with tender greens and mushrooms for a different holiday twist.

Conclusion

For another festive lasagna idea with rich Bolognese-style flavors, try Christmas Eve Lasagna (Festive Lasagna Bolognese!) as inspiration for your holiday menu.