This Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce is a delightful twist on the classic lasagna. It features layers of tender chicken, rich ricotta, and vibrant spinach, all enveloped in a creamy white sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups spinach, chopped
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles:
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare White Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, until slightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Filling:
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Assemble Lasagna:
- Spread a thin layer of the white sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the chicken mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of white sauce. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a layer of noodles and the remaining white sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Pair with a glass of white wine, like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, to complement the creamy flavors.
FAQs:
- Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
- Yes, you can use fresh spinach. Just make sure to chop it finely and sauté it slightly before mixing it into the chicken mixture.
- Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna up to a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it from cold.
- Can I freeze leftovers?
- Yes, this lasagna freezes well. Just wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 420 kcal per serving
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
Prep Time:
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings:
- Makes 8 servings
Enjoy this rich and creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce as a perfect comfort meal for any occasion!
Recipe Card
Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce
This Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce is a delightful twist on the classic lasagna. It features layers of tender chicken, rich ricotta, and vibrant spinach, all enveloped in a creamy white sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
- – 12 lasagna noodles
- – 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- – 2 cups ricotta cheese
- – 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- – 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- – 3 cups spinach chopped
- – 4 cups milk
- – 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- – 1/2 cup butter
- – 3 cloves garlic minced
- – 1 teaspoon dried basil
- – 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- – Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook Lasagna Noodles:
- – Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prepare White Sauce:
- – In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- – Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, until slightly browned.
- – Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- – Add the dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
Prepare Filling:
- – In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Assemble Lasagna:
- – Spread a thin layer of the white sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- – Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the chicken mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of white sauce. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a layer of noodles and the remaining white sauce.
- – Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake:
- – Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- – Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve:
- – Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.