Description
Ham & Cheese Lasagna is a comforting and delicious twist on the classic lasagna, featuring layers of tender pasta, savory ham, creamy cheeses, and a rich bechamel sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, this hearty dish offers a delightful balance of melt-in-your-mouth textures and flavors that the entire family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Base
- 9–12 no-boil or pre-cooked lasagna noodles
Meat Layer
- 2 cups thinly sliced or diced ham
Cheese Layer
- 1 cup cream cheese or ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bechamel Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for about 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Set the bechamel sauce aside.
- Layer the Ingredients: Spread a thin layer of bechamel sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles on top. Scatter a generous amount of diced ham over the noodles, then add dollops of cream cheese or ricotta. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer. Repeat these layers until you finish with a final layer of noodles. Top the final layer with remaining bechamel sauce, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to let the layers set.
Notes
- Use high-quality deli or smoked ham for best flavor.
- Let the lasagna rest after baking to hold shape and slice cleanly.
- If not using no-boil noodles, pre-cook noodles until just al dente.
- Balance cheese layers by combining creamy and shredded cheeses for texture.
- This lasagna can be made ahead and tastes great the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg