Description
This Easy White Chicken Lasagna with Spinach is a creamy, comforting dish made with tender cooked chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich white sauce layered between tender lasagna noodles. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella for a luscious, cheesy experience baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk (or half and half)
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
Ricotta Mixture
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
Lasagna Assembly
- 8 dried lasagna noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for layering and topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil an 8 x 8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the White Sauce: Place a saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter. Once the foaming subsides, stir in the minced garlic and flour. Cook for about 30 seconds to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to simmer and thickens. Remove from heat.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce, creating a creamy spinach mixture. Season with salt to taste.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese and egg until well blended and smooth.
- Assemble the Lasagna Layers: Spread about ¼ cup of the white sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer 2 cooked lasagna noodles on top. Next, spread ¼ cup of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle about ⅔ cup cooked chicken and ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella. Add 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan and spoon ½ cup of the white sauce over the top. Repeat this layering process two more times, ending with noodles on top.
- Add Final Toppings: Pour the remaining white sauce over the top layer of noodles and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake the Lasagna: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is lightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set for easier serving.
Notes
- Cooking the noodles according to package instructions ensures they are tender and perfect for layering.
- Use whole milk or half and half for a richer sauce; skim milk will yield a thinner sauce.
- Softened cream cheese blends better into the sauce for a smooth texture.
- Cooling the lasagna before serving improves texture and flavor melding.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
