🎉 Introduction
This Holiday Christmas Lasagna with Rich Pomegranate Sauce is a festive, hearty, and irresistibly comforting dish that brings warmth and joy to your holiday table. Layers of tender lasagna noodles, creamy ricotta filling, perfectly seasoned meat sauce, melted mozzarella, and rich tomato flavors come together in a truly luxurious Christmas dish.
Instead of red wine, this halal-friendly version uses pomegranate juice, which adds natural sweetness, acidity, and depth — making the sauce taste incredibly rich and balanced. With garlic, oregano, fennel, onions, Italian seasonings, and plenty of cheese, every bite bursts with flavor.
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas Eve dinner, preparing a special family meal, or planning a cozy winter feast, this lasagna delivers festive comfort and unforgettable taste.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or pot
- Mixing bowls
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
🛒 Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage (halal)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1½ (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- ½ cup pomegranate juice (replacement for red wine)
- ¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese Layers
- 30 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated mozzarella (for filling)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- ¼ cup grated Romano cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)
Lasagna
- 1 lb par-cooked lasagna noodles
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and halal Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
Step 2: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
Step 3: Add oregano, garlic powder, fennel seeds, Italian seasonings, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Step 4: Pour in the pomegranate juice and simmer for 2–3 minutes to enrich the sauce.
Step 5: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, ½ cup mozzarella, Romano cheese, and half of the parsley.
Step 7: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
Step 8: Add a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Step 9: Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture, followed by a layer of meat sauce, then a sprinkle of mozzarella.
Step 10: Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
Step 11: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
Step 12: Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Step 13: Let rest for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 10–12
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Lasts 3–4 days covered.
Freezer
Freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 350°F for 15–20 minutes
- Microwave: 1–2 minutes
- Skillet: Low heat with a splash of water
🥄 Variations
⭐ Turkey Lasagna
Swap beef and sausage with ground turkey.
⭐ White Christmas Lasagna
Replace sauce with creamy béchamel.
⭐ Spicy Holiday Lasagna
Add chili flakes or jalapeños.
⭐ Veggie Christmas Lasagna
Use spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini.
⭐ Four-Cheese Version
Ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan.
⭐ Extra Saucy Lasagna
Double the tomato sauce.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use no-boil noodles?
Yes — follow the same steps, add extra sauce.
2. Can I assemble ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
3. Can I freeze before baking?
Yes — freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Can I replace pomegranate juice?
Yes — grape juice or beef broth works.
5. Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes — blend it for smoother texture.
6. Is this recipe halal?
Yes — use halal sausage and pomegranate juice.
7. Why add sugar?
It balances acidity in tomato sauce.
8. Can I remove fennel seeds?
Yes — optional, but enhances Italian flavor.
9. Can I add vegetables?
Yes — mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers.
10. Should I rest lasagna before cutting?
Yes — 10 minutes helps layers set.
🏁 Conclusion
This Holiday Christmas Lasagna with Rich Pomegranate Sauce is festive, hearty, and bursting with holiday flavor. With warm spices, creamy cheese layers, rich tomato-pomegranate sauce, and perfectly baked noodles, it’s the ultimate Christmas comfort food.
Beautiful enough for celebrations and easy enough for weeknight dinners, this lasagna brings warmth, joy, and unforgettable flavor to your holiday table.
Holiday Christmas Lasagna with Rich Pomegranate Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Refrigerator Lasts 3–4 days covered. Freezer Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheating Oven: 350°F for 15–20 minutes Microwave: 1–2 minutes Skillet: Low heat with a splash of water 🥄 Variations
⭐ Turkey Lasagna Swap beef and sausage with ground turkey. ⭐ White Christmas Lasagna Replace sauce with creamy béchamel. ⭐ Spicy Holiday Lasagna Add chili flakes or jalapeños. ⭐ Veggie Christmas Lasagna Use spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini. ⭐ Four-Cheese Version Ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan. ⭐ Extra Saucy Lasagna Double the tomato sauce. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use no-boil noodles? Yes — follow the same steps, add extra sauce. 2. Can I assemble ahead? Yes — refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. 3. Can I freeze before baking? Yes — freeze for up to 3 months. 4. Can I replace pomegranate juice? Yes — grape juice or beef broth works. 5. Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta? Yes — blend it for smoother texture. 6. Is this recipe halal? Yes — use halal sausage and pomegranate juice. 7. Why add sugar? It balances acidity in tomato sauce. 8. Can I remove fennel seeds? Yes — optional, but enhances Italian flavor. 9. Can I add vegetables? Yes — mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers. 10. Should I rest lasagna before cutting? Yes — 10 minutes helps layers set. 🏁 Conclusion This Holiday Christmas Lasagna with Rich Pomegranate Sauce is festive, hearty, and bursting with holiday flavor. With warm spices, creamy cheese layers, rich tomato-pomegranate sauce, and perfectly baked noodles, it’s the ultimate Christmas comfort food. Beautiful enough for celebrations and easy enough for weeknight dinners, this lasagna brings warmth, joy, and unforgettable flavor to your holiday table.
