White Chicken Lasagna
>> Monday, September 12, 2011
So, I'm not sure if I've ever had chicken lasagna before, but when I found this recipe on Pinterest.com, I knew I wanted to try it. It was fairly easy and definitely worth the wait!
Recipe: White Chicken Lasagna
(adapted from allrecipes, found at http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/white-chicken-lasagna/)
lasagna noodles (I used 9, but you could use 12 )
1/2 c. butter
1 onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
ground black pepper, to taste
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. nonfat milk
4 c. mozzarella cheese, divided
1 c. shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 c. part-skim ricotta cheese or Cottage Cheese
1 1/2 c. cooked and shredded chicken
1 small box frozen spinach, thawed and drained; liquid squeezed out; or about 2 cups of fresh spinach
1 small box frozen butternut squash puree, thawed; or about 1.5 cups cooked pumpkin, pureed
1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms (optional)
Cook lasagna noodles as directed on package.
Melt butter in a large saucepot. Add onions and garlic and cook over medium heat until translucent. Add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook flour mixture 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1 minute. Turn off heat and add 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese. Stir in dried spices.
Lightly spray a 9×13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle some cheese sauce onto the bottom to thinly cover. Add a layer of lasagna noodles. Layer with more cheese sauce, the chicken, and the ricotta/cottage cheese. Add another layer of pasta. Top with cheese sauce. Using a spoon, spread the butternut squash puree on top of the. Add spinach and mushrooms (optional). Add final layer of lasagna. Top with remaining cheese sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook until bubbly, about 15 minutes. If cheese doesn’t brown on top, turn on the broiler for the last couple minutes. Allow lasagna to sit about 15 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
