CHRISTMAS EVE LASAGNE
PHOTOGRAPH MIKE ENGLISH FOOD STYLING MONIQUE LANE STYLING DAVINA PERKINS
It’s rich, it’s indulgent, it’s full of good things – and it’s just what you need to feed a crowd the night before Christmas
GENNARO CONTALDO’S
The big meatball lasagne
SERVES 8. HANDS-ON TIME 50 MIN, OVEN TIME 40 MIN, PLUS STANDING
Traditionally, this rich Neapolitan lasagne is made on special occasions. When I was growing up in Italy, the family would gather at my grandfather’s house and we’d eat it for lunch on Christmas Eve. It was made the day before, usually as a joint effort among the women in our household: my mother made the fresh pasta sheets, my Aunt Maria the tomato sauce and my sisters the meatballs. Other ingredients were also often added: mushrooms, grilled vegetables and whatever else was around and in season. This is my simplified version, which I still make today, especially when I’m expecting guests at Christmastime.