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Cheesy Christmas Lasagna

Cheesy Christmas Lasagna: Comforting Layers of Holiday Joy

This Cheesy Christmas Lasagna combines rich layers of gooey cheese and robust meat sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Substitute with ground turkey or lentils if desired.
  • 1 lb Italian Sausage Can be swapped with chicken sausage or vegetarian sausage.
  • 1 Onion, finely diced Yellow or white onion works best.
  • 4 Garlic cloves, minced Fresh is best.
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste Essential for rich sauce consistency.
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes Diced tomatoes can be used in a pinch.
  • 15 oz Tomato Sauce
  • 1 cup Red Wine Replace with vegetable or beef broth for a non-alcoholic option.
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasonings
  • 1 tsp Oregano Fresh or dried acceptable.
  • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds Optional if unavailable.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped Basil can be a nice substitute.
For the Cheese Filling
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Use pureed silken tofu or cashew cream for dairy-free.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese Can interchange with other hard cheeses.
  • 2 cups Grated Mozzarella Cheese Essential for topping.
  • 1 Egg, beaten Binds cheese filling ingredients together.
For Layering
  • 1 lb Lasagna Noodles Regular or no-boil varieties work.

Equipment

  • large saucepan
  • Medium bowl
  • Large Pot
  • baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage for 8–10 minutes until no longer pink.
  2. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3–4 minutes until onions are translucent.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, followed by crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Pour in red wine or broth and mix thoroughly.
  4. Add Italian seasonings, oregano, and parsley. Let simmer uncovered on low heat for at least 1 hour.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Romano or Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella, and beaten egg. Mix until smooth.
  6. In a large pot, boil salted water. Par-cook lasagna noodles for about 3 minutes and drain.
  7. In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce, layer three noodles, half of the cheese mixture, more meat sauce, and repeat, finishing with noodles and meat sauce on top.
  8. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle more mozzarella, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes.
  9. Allow the lasagna to rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

For best results, let the sauce simmer longer to thicken before layering. This ensures a rich, comforting dish that holds its shape upon serving.

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