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Christmas Eve Lasagna!

Christmas Eve Lasagna: Your Heartwarming Holiday Feast

Experience the joy of togetherness with this Christmas Eve Lasagna, a dish that combines hearty bolognese with creamy basil pesto ricotta.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time 12 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or ground turkey for a leaner option
  • 1 pound Ground Pork use only beef if preferred
  • 2 cans San Marzano Tomatoes any good-quality canned tomatoes will work
  • 1 cup Red Wine or low-sodium chicken broth, or omit
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or half and half for a lighter sauce
For the Ricotta Mix
  • 2 cups Ricotta Cheese or cottage cheese as a lower-fat substitute
  • 1 cup Basil Pesto homemade or store-bought
  • 2 large Eggs omit for a vegan alternative
For the Lasagna Assembly
  • 9 sheets Lasagna Noodles no-boil noodles are recommended
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Baking Dish
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Eve Lasagna
  1. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef and pork for about 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in San Marzano tomatoes and red wine, seasoning well. Let this simmer on low for about 2-3 hours.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese with basil pesto, eggs, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of bolognese sauce at the bottom. Place uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by a layer of the ricotta mixture. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of bolognese and topping with the remaining grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil and refrigerate it for at least 12 hours. When ready to bake, remove the foil and bake for 1 hour covered, then uncover for the last 10 minutes to achieve a golden top.
  5. Once baked, let the lasagna cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Making the bolognese sauce ahead enhances flavor. Resting the assembled lasagna overnight improves texture. You can customize by adding extra veggies.

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