Christmas Lasagna
A festive, hearty dish made with layers of pasta, savory meat, and rich cheeses, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Lasagna Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage or a mix for richer flavor
- 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- a pinch nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather your ingredients.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water and cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a clean kitchen towel.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage with salt, pepper, thyme, and nutmeg until browned, then add marinara sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, fresh spinach, and a dash of salt and pepper.
Layering and Baking
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom, followed by 3 lasagna noodles.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Serving
- Slice and serve warm with a festive salad or garlic bread.
Notes
For best results, prepare a day in advance and refrigerate overnight to deepen flavors. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for later use.