Make Ahead White Chicken Lasagna Recipes

CREAMY WHITE CHICKEN AND SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium high heat. Add lasagna noodles, olive oil and salt and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm), or according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside in the pot.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and flour and whisk until smooth and uniform. The sauce might initially be a little clumpy.
• Whisk in heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. The sauce should be similar in consistency to a gravy and be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat and stir in spinach. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, and parsley. Stir well to combine together. Set aside.
• Evenly spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in a 9x13 baking pan. Place 3 lasagna noodles evenly apart over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle half the shredded chicken evenly over the sauce. Spread 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.
• Add another layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Spread half of ricotta cheese mixture on top.
• Add another layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Spread 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle remaining half of shredded chicken evenly over the sauce. Spread remaining 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.
• Add remaining 3 lasagna noodles. Add remaining 1/3 sauce on top. Top with remaining cup of mozzarella.
• Lightly grease a large piece of aluminum foil and cover the pan with the greased side inside. Greasing the foil prevents the melted cheese from sticking to the foil while baking. Bake the lasagna covered for 45 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the melted cheese turns golden brown and bubbly. Optionally, turn on broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes to get a crispy and brown cheesy crust. But keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly.
• Let the lasagna cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This ensures that the sauce sets and isn't runny when you cut into the lasagna.

WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• NOODLES: Place lasagna noodles into the bottom of a long pan. Pour hot tap water over the noodles until they are submerged. Let them soak while you prep the lasagna - at least 30 minutes. Agitate the noodles with your hands occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
• FILLING: Add all of the Ricotta Filling ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• ALFREDO SAUCE: Melt 5 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat then whisk in flour and garlic. Cook, while stirring for 2 minutes. Turn heat to low then gradually whisk in half and half, chicken broth and all spices/seasonings.
• Bring to a boil, whisking constantly then reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened (but not overly thick), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted. Stir in chicken until well combined. Add additional milk if needed to thin.
• ASSEMBLE: Lightly grease a deep 9x13 pan. Spread 1 cup Alfredo sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan (layer will be thin). Place 4 noodles (dried off) lengthwise and part of a 5th noodle on top to cover. Spread with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat these layers 2 more times: Alfredo sauce (use one third of remaining Alfredo per layer, about 2 cups), noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella for a total of 3 complete layers. To finish, top with remaining third Alfredo sauce and remaining mozzarella (1 cup).
• BAKE: Cover lasagna with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Turn the oven to broil (550 degree F) without moving the lasagna. Broil until the top is golden in spots, about 3 minutes, watching closely so it doesn't burn. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing.

MAKE-AHEAD WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA RECIPE - (4.6/5)

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in bell pepper, celery, onion and garlic; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center. Reduce heat to low. Add half-and-half, broth and cream cheese; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Gradually add Gouda cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove from heat; set aside. In bowl, mix cottage cheese, 1/4 cup fresh basil and the egg until blended. Spread 1 cup chicken mixture in baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture, 1/2 of the cottage cheese mixture and 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once, starting with noodles. Top with remaining 3 noodles and remaining chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 350°Fahrenheit. Bake lasagna covered 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until noodles are tender and casserole is bubbly. Cover; let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil sprigs.

WHITE CHEESE CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

MAKE-AHEAD WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in bell pepper, celery, onion and garlic; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Reduce heat to low. Add half-and-half, broth and cream cheese; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted. Gradually add Gouda cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove from heat; set aside. In bowl, mix cottage cheese, 1/4 cup fresh basil and the egg until blended.
• Spread 1 cup chicken mixture in baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture, 1/2 of the cottage cheese mixture and 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once, starting with noodles. Top with remaining 3 noodles and remaining chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake lasagna covered 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until noodles are tender and casserole is bubbly. Cover; let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil sprigs.

MAKE-AHEAD MEAT-LOVERS' LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook beef, sausage and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• In small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, spinach, basil and egg. Spread about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture over each cooked lasagna noodle to within 1 inch of one short end. Spoon about 1/4 cup meat mixture over ricotta mixture on each. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups, seam side down, on pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Place frozen rolls in airtight freezer container; label. Freeze up to 3 months.
• To bake 16 lasagna roll-ups, spray two 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dishes with cooking spray. Remove roll-ups from freezer bag; place 8 in each baking dish. Cover with foil; thaw in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Pour 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce over and around roll-ups in each baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; bake 30 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle each baking dish with 1 cup mozzarella cheese; bake uncovered 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ketchup and mustard. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat egg with fork or wire whisk. Stir in ricotta cheese and 2 cups of the cheese blend.
• Spread 1 cup beef mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with 1 1/2 cups beef mixture. Repeat layers once with 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and 1 1/2 cups beef mixture. Top with remaining 4 noodles, beef mixture and 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake lasagna, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 25 to 35 minutes longer or until bubbly. Remove from oven. Cover with foil; let stand 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.
• Just before serving, top with lettuce, tomato and pickles. Serve with additional ketchup if desired.