Effortless White Lasagna with Chicken, Pesto, and Spinach: Your Ultimate Comfort Dish
There are some dishes that just scream comfort, and lasagna is undoubtedly at the top of that list. But what if you could take that classic comfort, infuse it with vibrant flavors, and make it surprisingly easy and a little lighter? This White Lasagna with Chicken, Pesto, and Spinach does exactly that. It’s a culinary masterpiece featuring tender chicken, aromatic pesto, fresh spinach, and a creamy white sauce, all layered with that essential healthy dose of ricotta cheese.
Home, Heart, and Lasagna: Finding Comfort in the Chaos
Life can be wonderfully chaotic, can’t it? My husband, Eric, has a knack for adding… let’s call it “personal flair” to our home decor. Just today, I received a picture from him at work, a new addition to our wall art collection.
This isn’t an isolated incident. There’s the infamous Star Wars poster, haphazardly tacked up, featuring obscure characters like Prince Xizor – not exactly the Han and Leia aesthetic I might choose, but certainly memorable.
And let’s not forget Charlotte’s artistic masterpiece, “Tree Stump and Throbbing Heart,” taped crookedly to the entryway wall months ago. It’s funny how quickly things blend into the background. I only remembered it was there *after* hosting 30 family members for Easter. It just becomes part of the tapestry of home life, much like finding joy in a delicious meal at the end of a busy day.
Amidst these charming household quirks, there’s always the kitchen, a place where simple ingredients transform into something truly comforting. This pesto chicken lasagna is exactly that – a delightful, fuss-free meal that brings warmth and flavor to any table, effortlessly fitting into the beautiful, messy rhythm of family life.
Why This White Lasagna Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
Forget the heavy, tomato-based lasagnas for a moment and open your palate to a brighter, fresher experience. This White Lasagna with Chicken and Pesto combines some of the most beloved flavors into one harmonious dish. It’s rich and satisfying, yet surprisingly balanced. The creamy, lightened-up white sauce, the herbaceous pesto, the tender chicken, and the fresh spinach all come together to create a lasagna that’s both comforting and gourmet.
The Creamy White Sauce (A Healthier Twist!)
The foundation of any great white lasagna is its béchamel-inspired sauce. Ours is made with butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, and flour to create a roux, then thinned with milk, chicken broth, and a secret ingredient: Greek yogurt! The Greek yogurt adds a lovely tang and creaminess while making the sauce a bit lighter than traditional cream-based versions. It’s a genius swap that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture, providing a silky, savory coating for every layer.
Tender Chicken for Hearty Layers
We use cooked chicken in this recipe, and for ultimate convenience, rotisserie chicken is highly recommended. Shredded or chopped, it integrates beautifully into the white sauce, ensuring every bite of lasagna is packed with savory goodness. This also significantly cuts down on prep time, making this a perfect weeknight meal.
The Aromatic Burst of Pesto
Are you a pesto fanatic like me? If so, you’re in for a treat! Basil pesto is swirled into the ricotta mixture, infusing the lasagna with its distinctive, vibrant, and herbaceous flavor. Whether you use your favorite homemade pesto or a quality store-bought brand, it adds an irresistible depth that elevates this dish far beyond ordinary lasagna. The bright notes of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cut through the richness of the cheese and sauce beautifully.
Ricotta and Mozzarella: The Heart of Lasagna
What is lasagna without ricotta? This recipe features a generous 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese, mixed with pesto and an egg to create a rich, creamy, and flavorful layer that holds its shape and adds moisture. Paired with layers of shredded mozzarella cheese, which melts into gooey perfection, you get that quintessential cheesy pull that everyone loves in a good lasagna. A final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top creates a beautiful golden crust.
Fresh Spinach for Color and Nutrition
To balance the richness and add a pop of color and nutrition, fresh spinach is layered into the lasagna. As it bakes, the spinach wilts down, becoming a tender, earthy complement to the other flavors. It’s a fantastic way to sneak in some greens, and it adds a lovely textural contrast to the creamy sauces and soft noodles.
This lasagna truly is a mashup of all my favorite things: chicken, noodles, an abundance of cheese, and the unmistakable flavor of pesto. It’s guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
If you make this lasagna, snap a photo and share on Instagram using #TheFoodCharlatan! I’d love to see it 🙂
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White Lasagna with Chicken and Pesto
40 minutes
50 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
6
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons dried basil, or 1 tablespoon fresh
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 & 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie is best)
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1 egg
- 9 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 2 & 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 chopped small onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and beautifully translucent. This slow sautéing brings out their natural sweetness.
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While the onions are sautéing, sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of dried basil (or 1 tablespoon of fresh basil for an even brighter flavor), 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine the seasonings with the onions.
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Add 4-5 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for just one more minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly. Its fragrant aroma will fill your kitchen!
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Gradually sprinkle 6 tablespoons of flour over the onion and garlic mixture, adding it in small increments (about 1 tablespoon at a time). Stir well after each addition to ensure the flour is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. This creates a roux, which will thicken our white sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, to cook out the raw flour taste.
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In a separate large glass measuring cup or bowl, combine 1/3 cup milk, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, and 1 and 2/3 cup chicken broth. (If you’re using Better Than Bouillon chicken base, mix 1 and 2/3 cup water with 2 teaspoons of the base.) Whisk these liquids together until well combined.
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Gradually add the liquid mixture to the pan with the roux, whisking constantly. It’s crucial to go slow here, adding only a little liquid at a time and whisking until it’s absorbed before adding more. This ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce. Continue whisking out any chunks until the sauce is smooth.
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Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring continuously, for just a couple of minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remember, it will thicken further as it cools and bakes.
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Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken. Turn off the heat and set the white sauce aside.
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In a medium bowl, combine the 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1/3 cup of basil pesto, and 1 egg. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and smooth. This creates a flavorful, binding layer for your lasagna.
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To assemble your lasagna: Start by spreading about 1/2 cup of the white sauce evenly across the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking and helps them cook properly.
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Place 3 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. Evenly spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top this with about 1/2 cup of fresh spinach. Next, add 1/3 of the white sauce and spread it carefully to the edges of the dish. Finish this layer with 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Repeat these layers two more times: 1) Noodles, 2) ricotta mixture, 3) spinach, 4) white sauce, 5) mozzarella cheese. This will create three luscious layers of flavor.
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Once all layers are complete, sprinkle the top of the lasagna with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese for a golden, savory crust.
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Lightly spray one side of a sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray. Cover the lasagna dish tightly with the foil, making sure the sprayed side faces down to prevent cheese from sticking.
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Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until it is cooked through, bubbly around the edges, and the noodles are tender.
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Carefully remove the foil cover. Increase your oven temperature to broil. Broil the lasagna for 1 to 3 minutes, watching it very closely, until the top is golden brown and bubbling deliciously. This step adds a beautiful color and texture to the top layer of cheese.
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Once out of the oven, let the lasagna stand for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the layers to set, making for cleaner cuts and preventing the lasagna from falling apart. I like to serve this with some crusty bread, a big fresh salad, and perhaps another green vegetable to complete the meal.
Nutrition
Main Course
Italian
623
chicken, easy dinner, Lasagna, Pesto
Other Lasagna and Pasta Recipes You’ll Adore!
If you loved this White Lasagna with Chicken and Pesto, you’re in for more culinary delights! Explore these other fantastic lasagna and pasta recipes from my kitchen, each offering its own unique twist on beloved classics.
Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna
This recipe is an old family favorite for a reason! It takes all the deliciousness of traditional lasagna and simplifies it by using store-bought ravioli. Layers of pasta, rich sauce, and abundant cheese make this a comforting meal that’s on the table in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, homemade dish without all the fuss.
Poblano, Corn, and Zucchini Lasagna
I still have dreams about this one! This vibrant, fresh lasagna is a perfect summer dish, bursting with the flavors of roasted poblano peppers, sweet corn, and tender zucchini. It’s a fantastic vegetarian option that’s light, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The smoky notes of poblano add an unexpected depth that you won’t forget.
Old Fashioned Lasagna
For those who love a timeless classic, this Old Fashioned Lasagna recipe is straight from the revered Better Homes and Garden’s cookbook. It’s a robust, meaty, and cheesy delight that embodies the essence of traditional Italian-American comfort food. With rich tomato sauce and layers of flavorful meat and cheese, it’s a recipe that has stood the test of time for a reason.
Lasagna Soup
Sounds weird, right? But trust me, it isn’t! Lasagna Soup is a delicious and innovative way to enjoy all the flavors of your favorite baked pasta dish in a comforting, slurpable format. This hearty soup features ground meat, rich tomato broth, tender pasta, and dollops of creamy ricotta and mozzarella. It’s perfect for a cozy evening and surprisingly easy to make.
Other Lasagna Ideas from the Blog-o-sphere!
The world of lasagna is vast and varied! Here are a few more inspiring recipes from fellow food bloggers that explore different twists on this beloved dish:
- Chicken Bacon Lasagna Roll-Ups from Simply Gloria: A fun, individual serving option packed with chicken and savory bacon.
- Chicken Cheese Lasagna from Will Cook For Smiles: A straightforward yet incredibly flavorful chicken and cheese combo.
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Rolls from Belle of the Kitchen: Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these elegant and delicious lasagna rolls.