Chicken Alfredo Lasagna: A Creamy, Cheesy Twist on a Classic Comfort Dish
This Chicken Alfredo Lasagna combines the best of two Italian-American favorites into one irresistible casserole. Layers of tender lasagna noodles are smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce, seasoned chicken, and melted cheeses for a decadent twist on traditional lasagna. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, this dish delivers rich, comforting flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
The magic of this Chicken Alfredo Lasagna recipe lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The creamy sauce, made with butter, garlic, and Parmesan, coats every layer, while the shredded chicken adds protein and heartiness. Mozzarella and ricotta cheeses create a gooey, stretchy texture that makes each bite more satisfying than the last. Whether you’re looking for a special weekend meal or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this lasagna variation is sure to impress.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Rich and creamy with garlicky notes from the Alfredo sauce, balanced by savory chicken and the tang of Parmesan cheese.
- Texture: Layers of tender pasta alternate with creamy sauce and melted cheeses for a perfect mouthfeel that’s both comforting and satisfying.
- Aroma: The scent of garlic, butter, and Parmesan will fill your kitchen as this lasagna bakes, creating an irresistible anticipation.
- Visual Appeal: Golden brown cheese topping with visible layers of pasta, chicken, and sauce makes for an impressive presentation.
- Skill Level Needed: Requires basic cooking techniques like making a white sauce and assembling layered dishes.
- Special Equipment: 9×13 baking dish, large pot for boiling noodles, and a medium saucepan for the Alfredo sauce.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This Chicken Alfredo Lasagna is intermediate level due to the multiple components that need preparation before assembly. While not difficult, it does require some coordination to have everything ready at the same time.
- Category: Perfect as a main dish for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. Works well for both casual and formal gatherings.
- Cuisine: An Italian-American fusion dish that combines elements from classic lasagna and chicken Alfredo pasta.
- Cost: Mid-range cost recipe using common ingredients. Chicken, pasta, and dairy form the base, with Parmesan being the most expensive component.
- Season: Excellent year-round, but particularly comforting during cooler months. The rich, warm flavors make it ideal for fall and winter.
- Occasion: Great for Sunday family dinners, holiday gatherings, or when you want to impress dinner guests with a homemade classic.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
The taste and texture of this Chicken Alfredo Lasagna are simply irresistible. The creamy Alfredo sauce soaks into the pasta layers, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that’s both rich and comforting. The combination of cheeses – ricotta for creaminess, mozzarella for stretch, and Parmesan for sharpness – creates a perfect balance of flavors that complement the seasoned chicken beautifully.
From a convenience standpoint, this recipe offers several advantages. You can prepare components ahead of time, making final assembly quick and easy. It’s also a great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from the store. The lasagna holds well for leftovers and actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
Nutritionally, this dish provides a good balance of protein from the chicken and dairy, carbohydrates from the pasta, and calcium from the cheeses. While rich, you can control portion sizes to manage calorie intake. The protein content helps make it satisfying, preventing overeating.
For entertaining, this Chicken Alfredo Lasagna is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It serves a large group easily and appeals to both adults and children. The impressive layered presentation makes it special enough for dinner parties, yet it’s familiar enough to please even picky eaters.
Cost-wise, this recipe makes excellent use of affordable ingredients. Chicken is one of the more economical proteins, and the other components are pantry staples for most home cooks. The dish stretches well, feeding 8-10 people comfortably, making it budget-friendly for family meals or gatherings.
The Recipe
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 75 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large pot for boiling noodles
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cheese grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to create the Alfredo sauce.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and parsley.
- Spread 1 cup of Alfredo sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 4 noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half the ricotta mixture over noodles, then half the chicken, and 1 cup of sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
- Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta, remaining chicken, 1 cup sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Top with final 4 noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
- Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Recipe Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1 tsp Italian seasoning to the ricotta mixture.
- Substitute cooked turkey or ham for the chicken for different variations.
- No-boil lasagna noodles can be used – adjust baking time as package directs.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat in oven or microwave.
