Chicken and Mushroom Lasagne

For a break from the traditional, this creamy, cheesy, chicken-based lasagne with mushrooms and caramelised onions is an absolute winner.

BÉCHAMEL

50 grams butter

1/3 cup plain flour

3 cups whole milk

1 chicken stock cube

1 cup grated parmesan

¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 bay leaves

TO ASSEMBLE

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

40 grams butter

700 grams mixed mushrooms, sliced

400 grams fresh lasagne sheets

4 cups rotisserie or leftover shredded chicken

1½ cups caramelised onions (I made my own but storebought is also fine - see recipe page 49)

1 cup grated mozzarella

125 grams buffalo mozzarella, drained

EQUIPMENT: 23cm x 23cm baking dish or a dish of similar capacity.

Preheat the oven to 170°C fan bake.

BÉCHAMEL: Melt the butter in a deep frying pan or pot over a medium heat, add the flour and whisk to a firm paste.

Cook for one minute, stirring so that it doesn’t catch on the bottom. Add the milk in three lots, whisking to combine until well incorporated. Add the stock cube and keep whisking, on the heat, until thickened and smooth. Whisk in the parmesan, nutmeg and add the bay leaf. Season to taste. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and set aside to cool.

TO ASSEMBLE: Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Add the mushrooms, season well with salt and pepper and cook over a medium-high heat for 12 minutes.

Spread a thin layer of béchamel in the base of the baking dish and put a layer of lasagne sheets on top. Spoon over half of the shredded chicken and top with half of the caramelised onions and half of the mushrooms then top with a third of the béchamel and a third of the grated cheese. (These will meld together as it cooks.) Repeat layering with more lasagne sheets, chicken, onions and mushrooms and béchamel, finishing with the last of the lasagne sheets and remaining béchamel.

Dot with torn pieces of mozzarella and sprinkle with remaining grated cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling and the pasta is fully cooked. SERVES 8