Make-Ahead White Chicken Lasagna

By SLSkibby

White chicken lasagna is is a great meal to make ahead. When having company over for dinner after a long work day this is the recipe to make.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 pint half-and-half
• 1/2 cup Progresso® chicken broth
• 4 ounce cream cheese
• 7 ounce Gouda cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 (12 ounce) container small-curd cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
• 1 egg, beaten
• 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 1 (16 ounce) package sliced mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil sprigs or chopped basil leaves, if desired

Preparation

Step 1

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.