Make-Ahead White Chicken Lasagna

 

1

tablespoon butter or margarine

1

lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 1/2

cups coarsely chopped red bell pepper (2 medium)

1

cup finely chopped celery

1/2

cup chopped onion

2

cloves garlic, finely chopped

1

pint (2 cups) half-and-half

1/2

cup Progresso® chicken broth

4

oz cream cheese

7

oz Gouda cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

1

container (12 oz) small-curd cottage cheese

1/4

cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips

1

egg, beaten

9

uncooked lasagna noodles

1

package (16 oz) sliced mozzarella cheese

1/2

cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil sprigs or chopped basil leaves, if desired

• 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.
• 2 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.
• 3 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.
• 4 Heat oven to 350°F. 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.