Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna Recipe: A Comforting Classic
Crafting a mouthwatering white cheese chicken lasagna brings comfort and culinary excitement to your dinner table.
Layers of tender chicken nestle between silky pasta sheets and rich, velvety sauce.
Melted cheese creates a golden, bubbling masterpiece that promises pure satisfaction.
Aromatic herbs whisper hints of Mediterranean charm throughout each delectable bite.
This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Guests will marvel at your kitchen prowess and savor every incredible forkful.
You cannot resist the temptation of this irresistible lasagna waiting to be devoured.
Reasons to Love Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Ingredients Needed for Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Core Ingredients:Dairy Ingredients:Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:Preparation Ingredients:Optional Garnish:Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Step 1: Warm Up The Oven
Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray or rub it down with butter.
Step 2: Cook Pasta Sheets
Boil the lasagna noodles following the package directions until they’re perfectly tender. Drain and set them aside, ready for layering.
Step 3: Create Fragrant Garlic Base
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around for 1-2 minutes until it fills the kitchen with its amazing aroma.
Step 4: Whip Up A Smooth Roux
Sprinkle in flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to create a silky smooth base for your sauce.
Step 5: Pour In Creamy Milk
Slowly pour whole milk into the pan, whisking like crazy to keep everything smooth and lump-free.
Step 6: Simmer And Thicken Sauce
Let the sauce bubble and thicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch it transform into a luxurious white sauce.
Step 7: Season The Sauce
Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust seasonings as you like.
Step 8: Build The First Layer
Spread a thin layer of white sauce across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Step 9: Create First Pasta Layer
Arrange lasagna noodles across the sauce, letting them slightly overlap for perfect coverage.
Step 10: Add Chicken And Sauce
Spread half the cooked chicken over the noodles, then drizzle half the white sauce on top.
Step 11: Sprinkle First Cheese Layer
Scatter half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the sauce, creating a cheesy blanket.
Step 12: Repeat Layering Magic
Repeat the entire layering process – noodles, remaining chicken, sauce, and cheese.
Step 13: Cover And Bake
Wrap the dish in aluminum foil and slide it into the oven for 30 minutes.
Step 14: Final Cheese Melt
Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
Step 15: Rest And Serve
Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Step 16: Slice And Enjoy
Cut into beautiful squares and serve up this creamy, cheesy masterpiece!
Pro Tips to Perfect Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Flavor Variations for Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Pairing Suggestions with Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Best Storage Practices for Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Common Questions About Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna
Shredded or diced cooked chicken breast works perfectly. You can use rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or quickly pan-cook chicken breasts for the recipe.
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna completely and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.
Absolutely! You can freeze the lasagna before or after baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Indulgent Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna marries Italian comfort with savory layers of tender chicken and rich cheese. Silky pasta sheets nestled between velvety sauce promise a delightful culinary journey you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside for layering.
- Create a flavorful white sauce by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add minced garlic and cook until aromatic.
- Incorporate flour into the butter mixture, stirring continuously to develop a smooth roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Slowly pour in whole milk, whisking constantly to ensure a silky, lump-free sauce that will coat the lasagna layers.
- Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a creamy, thick consistency, then season with dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Spread a thin layer of white sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base.
- Arrange the first layer of lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping to cover the sauce completely.
- Distribute half of the cooked chicken evenly over the noodles, followed by half of the remaining white sauce.
- Generously sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to create a rich, melty layer.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining noodles, chicken, white sauce, and cheeses to build a luxurious lasagna.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven to help it set and make slicing easier.
- Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley before cutting into squares and serving the creamy, cheesy dish.
Notes
- Swap out regular flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising creamy texture.
- Enhance nutritional value by incorporating lean protein sources such as shredded turkey or plant-based chicken substitutes for varied dietary preferences.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium cheese and reducing added salt, making the lasagna heart-healthy and suitable for restricted diets.
- Experiment with dairy-free options by substituting whole milk with unsweetened almond or cashew milk and using vegan cheese alternatives for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Sarah Mitchell
Content Specialist & Home Cooking Enthusiast
Expertise
Education
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC
American Fitness Professionals & Associates – Online
Sarah’s passion for food was sparked by weekend trips to the farmers’ market and her belief that healthy meals should never feel boring.
After earning her culinary diploma and becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, she set out to help others fall in love with simple, wholesome cooking.
She’s all about celebrating the small wins in the kitchen: a colorful yogurt bowl, a new twist on a classic dish, or a homemade snack that feels just a little extra special.
Outside the kitchen, Sarah is a gardener at heart, a yoga enthusiast, and a believer that fresh herbs can brighten any meal, and any day.