Description
Make your Christmas Eve unforgettable with this rich, comforting Christmas Eve Lasagna. Layered with savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and a bold homemade tomato sauce, this easy dinner idea is perfect for holiday gatherings. Whether you’re looking for quick holiday prep, cozy dinner ideas, or a hearty make-ahead meal, this easy recipe has it all. It’s one of those food ideas that never fails to impress and satisfy everyone around the table.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
9 lasagna noodles (uncooked or oven-ready)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until browned and softened. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, a pinch of salt, and 1/4 cup Parmesan until smooth.
4. Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, then drain and lay flat to cool.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9×13 baking dish.
6. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, meat sauce. Repeat layers. End with sauce and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Slightly undercook the noodles to avoid mushy texture after baking.
Let the lasagna rest before slicing — it helps the layers hold together.
Use freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Christmas Eve dinner, easy lasagna, holiday main course, baked pasta, family meals