Friday, 7 November 2014

Chicken Lasagna

Lasagna is one of those dishes that everyone loves. I find it can also be one of those dishes that people tend to assume takes so much time and so much effort - it's really not like that at all!

This PicNic-style lasagna uses ground chicken (or turkey!) as an alternative to beef.


This is another one of those dishes that I have made and {unsuccessfully} photographed about 100 times by now. It's just so delicious but just so darn hard to make it look good! We got there in the end..


Chicken Lasagna


Serves 4 - 6

600 g (1.3 lb) ground chicken
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, grated
1 cup spinach, chopped
1 650 g (23 oz) jar passata
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp basil, chopped
1 Tbsp oregano, chopped
1 Packet fresh lasagna sheets
salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Sauce

50 g (1.8 oz) butter
1/3 Cup flour
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
3 cups skim milk
1 cup grated cheese (e.g. Edam, Cheddar, Noble)


1. Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Heat a dash of oil in a large fry pan or saucepan over a medium-high heat.

2. Fry the chicken until browned, Remove from the pan and set aside. Return the pan to the heat and fry the onion and garlic for 3 minutes, add the mushrooms and cook for a further 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan and add the carrot, spinach, passata, Worcestershire sauce, basil, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Make the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan, whisking in the flour, and gradually whisking in the milk, whisking well to ensure a lump free sauce. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sauce is thick, but not boiling. Remove from the heat and mix in the nutmeg and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Place a lasagna sheet into the base of an oven proof dish. Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the top and a thin layer of cheese sauce. Add another layer of lasagna on top and the other half of of the meat. Top with a lasagna sheet and pour the cheese sauce over the top. Sprinkle over some extra cheese.

5. Place in the preheated oven and cook for about 20 minutes - until the pasta is cooked and the top is golden.

17 comments:

  1. What a great looking lasagna, it's perfect pasta comfort food.

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  2. Your lasagna looks absolutely delicious. What a great dish that everyone will love.

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  3. This looks delish, so thick and rich, but more healthy!

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  4. This looks super yummy! A total family favorite! Thanks so much for sharing this healthier recipe.

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  5. Nicole, your lasagna is stunning! I love that you used fresh pasta sheets. I know my family will love it and I hope to make it for them next time we are all together!

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  6. I know exactly what you're saying about those dishes that you love but just can't get good photos - you got this one! I'm curious - what is passata? That's not an ingredient I recognize.

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    1. Hi Erica! Passata is like a tomato puree. Kind of like tinned tomatoes but completely smooth :)

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  7. That is one fabulous looking lasagna. Very impressed by the layers. And the recipe looks good too!

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  8. Wow this looks delicious and lasagna is a favorite, bonus that it's made with chicken since I don't eat beef.

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  9. I love lasagna although I don't make them often enough because are a little messy! These look and must taste great!

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  10. G'day! This looks delish Nic and wish I could try it now!
    Cheers! Joanne

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  11. Nicole! This is one fantastic looking lasagna! I love the chicken in it!

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  12. Mmm lasagna is one of my favorites! Surprisingly I've never had chicken lasagna so I definitely need to make this soon!

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  13. I love that the noodles don't look like they are falling apart...I'd say you had a major photography success here!

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  14. I have never seen a more perfect slice of lasagna in my life! Fantastic.

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  15. This looks really yummy, and your photography is beautiful!

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  16. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your fabulous recipe this week at Foodie Fridays.Hope to see you again tonight!
    Blessings,
    Shari

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