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Christmas Lasagna – The Ultimate Festive Comfort Dish (Plus Thanksgiving Variation!)

This Christmas Lasagna is the kind of holiday centerpiece that brings everyone straight to the table. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tender sheets of pasta bake together into a comforting, cozy, absolutely irresistible dish that tastes like warmth itself. With its beautiful red-and-white layers and golden, bubbly top, this lasagna feels festive enough for Christmas, elegant enough for a holiday celebration, and easy enough to prep ahead if you're hosting a crowd. This recipe also includes a Thanksgiving variation, featuring a creamy turkey filling, sage, cranberries, and a velvety squash sauce — a fun, hearty twist that’s perfect for holiday leftovers or for those who prefer a lighter version without traditional marinara. Whether you're feeding a big family or enjoying a cozy holiday dinner for two, this Christmas Lasagna brings seasonal magic to the table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Christmas Meat Lasagna
  • 12 lasagna noodles regular or no-boil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ lb Italian sausage sweet or hot
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Cheese Layer
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
For Topping
  • 1 –1½ cups mozzarella
  • Parmesan for dusting
  • Thanksgiving Lasagna Variation Ingredients
  • Substitute these for the meat sauce to create a Thanksgiving-style version.
Turkey Filling:
  • 2 cups cooked shredded turkey
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1½ cups milk
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon sage
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • Salt & pepper
Squash Layer:
  • 2 cups mashed butternut squash or sweet potato
  • ¼ cup cream
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup optional
Add-Ins (optional):
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup sautéed spinach
  • ½ cup caramelized onions
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Equipment

  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large pot (to boil noodles, if not using no-boil)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Aluminum foil
  • Sharp knife & cutting board

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Lasagna Noodles
  1. If using regular noodles, boil in salted water according to package directions.
  2. Drain and lay flat to prevent sticking.
  3. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.
Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce (Christmas Version)
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
  2. Add ground beef and sausage; cook until browned.
  3. Add onion and garlic; cook 2–3 minutes.
  4. Stir in:
  5. marinara
  6. crushed tomatoes
  7. tomato paste
  8. Italian seasoning
  9. basil
  10. salt and pepper
  11. Simmer 15–20 minutes, until thick and flavorful.
Step 3: Make the Ricotta Filling
  1. In a bowl, whisk together:
  2. ricotta
  3. egg
  4. parmesan
  5. mozzarella
  6. parsley
  7. salt
  8. Set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a 9×13 dish, layer:
  3. Sauce (thin layer)
  4. Noodles
  5. Ricotta mixture
  6. Meat sauce
  7. Mozzarella
  8. Repeat layers until dish is full, ending with sauce + cheese.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Cover with foil (tented so cheese doesn't stick).
  2. Bake 25 minutes.
  3. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  4. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Fridge: 4–5 days
Freezer: 2–3 months (baked or unbaked)
Reheat at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
Microwave individual servings for 1–2 minutes.

🥄 Variations

White Christmas Lasagna: Alfredo sauce + chicken + spinach.
Vegetarian Christmas Lasagna: Replace meat with roasted vegetables.
Four-Cheese Lasagna: Add fontina, provolone, and mascarpone.
Spicy Christmas Lasagna: Use hot Italian sausage + red pepper flakes.
Pesto Lasagna: Add pesto between layers for fresh holiday flavor.
Gluten-Free Lasagna: Use GF noodles and sauce.
Low-Carb Lasagna: Layer with zucchini or eggplant slices.
Mushroom Lovers: Add sautéed mushrooms to the meat sauce.
Extra Cheesy: Add ricotta AND mascarpone for creamy decadence.
Margherita Lasagna: Use basil, tomato slices, and fresh mozzarella.

⭐ Thanksgiving Lasagna Version

This festive variation is creamy, cozy, and perfect for leftover turkey.
Thanksgiving Step 1: Make the Turkey Cream Sauce
Melt butter in a skillet.
Stir in flour to make a roux.
Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
Add turkey, sage, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Simmer 5 minutes.
Thanksgiving Step 2: Squash Layer
Mix mashed squash with cream and maple syrup.
Thanksgiving Step 3: Assemble
Layer:
Turkey cream sauce
Noodles
Ricotta mixture
Squash layer
Cranberries or caramelized onions (optional)
Mozzarella
Repeat until full.
Bake the same as the Christmas version.
This version is sweet, savory, cozy, and perfect for a holiday twist.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead?
Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze it before baking?
Yes — freeze up to 3 months.
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes — blend it smooth for best texture.
How do I prevent watery lasagna?
Simmer sauce until thick + let lasagna rest after baking.
Can I add vegetables?
Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted peppers work great.
Can I make it without sausage?
Yes — double the ground beef or use ground turkey.
Is this good for potlucks?
Perfect — stays warm and reheats beautifully.
How do I make it extra festive?
Add fresh basil, parmesan snow, or serve with garlic bread.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use GF noodles and sauce.
Does the Thanksgiving version taste sweet?
Slightly — balance with extra herbs or cheese if desired.

🏁 Conclusion

This Christmas Lasagna is everything a holiday dinner should be: cozy, rich, comforting, festive, and perfect for feeding both small families and big, joyful crowds. And with the added Thanksgiving Lasagna variation, you have two holiday-perfect ways to enjoy this warm, indulgent classic.
Whether bubbling away in the oven on Christmas Eve or shining at the center of your holiday table, this lasagna is guaranteed to become a tradition.