Lasagna Dinner: Enjoy Christmas Without the Kitchen Stress!

To cut down on the stress of Christmas this is the best dinner you will ever make your family. The best part, you make it before Christmas.

I host Christmas dinner, which I really enjoy, but if I don’t preplan and prep the meal days in advance I would be stuck in my kitchen during the most wonderful time of the year…missing out on family fun.

I’m biased, sure. But I’ve yet to come upon someone who doesn’t love this lasagna recipe.

Made with my mom (Nance) Secret Spaghetti Sauce is best, but you can also make this meatless with frozen spinach. Both options are cheesy goodness on a plate.

This meal is best when made the day or night before, makes for fantastic leftovers and can be frozen… hence, why it’s a fan favorite for Christmas!

You can assemble this recipe a couple of days in advance. Bake it the day of. Just make sure to keep it sealed and refrigerated.

RECIPE

• sauce 1 hour
• prep time 20 minutes
• cook time 30 minutes
• total time 1 hour 45 minutes
• Serves 10-15 people

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 pkg Barilla Lasagna noodles
• 48 oz. Spaghetti Sauce (Nance’s Secret Sauce is best!)
• 15 oz. tub of Ricotta Cheese
• 16 oz. package of Mozzarella Cheese
• 8 oz. Parmesan Cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. Oregano
• 1 cup yellow union diced
• 2 gloves of garlic
• Large baking dish
• Wax paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease large baking dish
3. Boil water (add some olive oil) cook lasagna noodles al dente
4. While noodles cook, mix cheeses and onion in large mixer, then add 2 large eggs and oregano, set aside
5. Once noodles are finished, drain them immediately and set them out individually on wax paper so they do not stick and the can cool (the noodles will be HOT! use a glove or tongs)
6. Now you’re ready to layer! Start with sauce in the greased baking dish, then layer with 3 lasagna noodles.
7. Next add a layer of cheese mix, add another layer of meat sauce, add another layer of 3 noodles and repeat until the baking dish is full. Add another layer of meat sauce and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes
9. Let set for 15 minutes before serving, and enjoy!

*you can always make the sauce 2-3 days in advance and then prepare the lasagna the day before serving*

MEATLESS OPTION: 

Make meatless spaghetti sauce, I usually make two pots of sauce (one with, one without meat) when I’m preparing this dish.

Add 2 pkgs of frozen, drained spinach (defrosted) and layer on top of each cheese layer.

ENJOY!