Chicken Bacon Lasagna

 This is not a low calorie dish, but boy is it tasty.

CHICKEN BACON LASAGNA

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

*9 lasagna noodles 

*4 cups shredded seasoned chicken (I normally use leftover rotisserie chicken)

*1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (I use fresh mozzarella cheese

Cream Sauce Ingredients:

*4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter

*1 medium onion, finely chopped

*4-6 garlic cloves, minced

*1/3 cup all-purpose flour

*2 1/2 cups chicken stock

*1 1/2 cups heavy cream

*2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

*2 teaspoons salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cheese Ingredients:

*1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese 

*1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

*1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon dried basil

*1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1 tablespoon dried parsley (or 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley)

*1 large egg

*1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled 

Prep Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Cook 9 in a large pot of salted water until al dente (about 5-7 minutes).

~Drain and soak in cold water (this helps prevent sticking of the noodles.

~Cook 1/2 pound bacon until crispy and done.

~Remove from heat, cool, and break into small pieces.

~Shred 4 cups cooked chicken.

Cheese Mixture Directions:

~In a large bowl, mix 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese,  1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes, and 1/2 pound cooked chopped bacon, until will combined.

~Set aside.

Time To Put It Together:

~Add about 1/2 cup white sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

~Add 3 cooked lasagna noodles in a single layer to the bottom of the pan.

~Add 1/2 cheese mixture over noodles and spread evenly over noodles.

~Add 1/2 of the shredded chicken mixture over cheese mixture.

~Add 1/3 of the white sauce over top of the chicken.

~Add 3 more noodles over top of white sauce.

~Add remaining cheese mixture of top of noodles.

~Add remaining shredded chicken over top of cheese mixture.

~Add another 1/3 of white sauce over top cheese mixture.

~Add last 3 lasagna noodles over the white sauce.

~Add remaining 1/3 white sauce over top of noodles.

~Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese over top.

~Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes (I spray the aluminum foil with cooking spray so that the cheese doesn't stick to it).

~Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese turns a golden brown.

~Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes before cutting.