Name: Winter Lasagna Bake – Cozy Italian Dinner & Holiday Dessert Twist
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 9 sheets of lasagna pasta; 2 cups tomato basil sauce; 1 pound Italian sausage or lentils; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 clove garlic minced; 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella; 1 cup grated parmesan; 1 egg; Fresh basil and parsley for garnish; 1 cup mascarpone cheese; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; Pinch of nutmeg; 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup; 1/2 cup candied cranberries or chopped dried figs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Powdered sugar for dusting

Description

A versatile baked lasagna blending savory Italian layers with a festive sweet twist. Perfect for holiday dinners and easy Christmas desserts.

Ingredients

Scale

9 sheets of lasagna pasta

2 cups tomato basil sauce

1 pound Italian sausage or lentils

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic minced

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1 cup grated parmesan

1 egg

Fresh basil and parsley for garnish

1 cup mascarpone cheese

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

1/2 cup candied cranberries or chopped dried figs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a deep baking dish with olive oil.

2. In a skillet heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add sausage or lentils and cook until browned.

3. Stir in tomato basil sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. In a bowl whisk ricotta, egg, parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

5. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the dish, layer three pasta sheets, half the ricotta mixture, mozzarella and sauce. Repeat and finish with sauce and cheese.

6. In a separate bowl whisk mascarpone, ricotta, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth.

7. For the dessert twist, layer pasta sheets with sweet cream mixture and sprinkle cranberries or figs between layers, finishing with nutmeg dusting.

8. Cover both dishes with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes more until golden and bubbling.

9. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to set layers.

10. Garnish dinner slices with fresh basil, olive oil, and parmesan. Dust dessert slices with powdered sugar and extra candied cranberries.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Holiday Bake
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice

Keywords: winter lasagna bake, cozy italian dinner, holiday dessert twist, christmas baking desserts, christmas cooking ideas baking, easy desserts christmas, best christmas baking recipes, festive lasagna, holiday lasagna