Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 sweet onions, thinly sliced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Spinach and Chicken
- 16 ounces baby spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Ricotta Layer
- 12 ounces ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Lasagna Noodles & Cheese
- 8 traditional lasagna noodles, cooked
- 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
Thyme Béchamel
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1½ to 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Garnish
- Fresh thyme and/or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden, and deeply caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook the Spinach and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the baby spinach and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat, drain excess moisture, and mix with the shredded cooked chicken in a bowl.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and set aside.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a clean kitchen towel to avoid sticking.
- Make the Thyme Béchamel Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth roux. Gradually whisk in 1½ to 2 cups milk, continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. Add dried thyme, freshly grated nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Roll Ups: Lay each lasagna noodle flat. Spread a thin layer of ricotta mixture over the noodle, then add a portion of caramelized onions and the spinach-chicken mixture. Roll up each noodle tightly. Arrange the rolls seam side down in a baking dish.
- Add Cheese and Béchamel: Pour the thyme béchamel sauce evenly over the arranged roll ups. Sprinkle the freshly grated Gruyere cheese generously on top to cover.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the lasagna roll ups for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the dish to cool slightly, then garnish with fresh thyme and/or chopped chives before serving warm.
Notes
- To save time, use store-bought caramelized onions or prepare them in advance.
- Leftover cooked chicken works perfectly for this recipe.
- Make sure to drain cooked spinach well to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- Gruyere cheese can be substituted with mozzarella or fontina for a different cheese profile.
- For a richer béchamel, you can substitute part of the milk with cream.
- Lasagna noodles can also be replaced with no-boil noodles; adjust the assembly accordingly.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Italian Fusion