Check out the recipes on Pasta Grammar and watch their YouTube videos. Here's their Lasagna alla Napoletana.
As far as tips go, if you'd like to test out a lasagna recipe in advance of your friends gathering and without making a ton of it, you can easily make a 1/3 or 1/4 scale recipe in an average loaf-size pan in the 9 x 5" or 8 x 4" range. Just one strip of noodles at the bottom, maybe a little more at the top if the sides are very sloped. Makes 2-3 servings and is a fun way to play around with variations.