You will have seen the photo story of lasagna making I photographed in Italy and now I have made my own quick version. There is no comparison but we working mothers and wives have to find shortcuts or we would have to wag work in order to make the original versions of these time-honoured recipes. It was such a pleasure to watch the making of the pasta sheets from scratch but I used wonton wrappers. It was the first time I had used them and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they are to handle. They separate easily and don’t rip. I will be using them again for all sorts of things.
I decided to make this a chicken lasagna to shake it up a little and also to not seem to be imitating the lasagna that Laura made in Italy. I really loved the fact that these lasagnas popped out of their containers without hassle. That made them easy to eat. See the copper dish containing the lasagna in the photo and the two copper containers behind it? I bought them all in flea market in Italy for such a ridiculously low price. I love them big time. The ends of the wontons are a little burnt but that’s my whacky oven. I now keep an oven tray below the tray I cook my food on and that seems to stop them getting burnt on the bottom but I still have the tops to worry about. I have to keep remembering to put tin foil on part way through.
Here are the lasagnas popped out of the baking tin.
In the above photo see the beautiful hand-painted ceramic container which I bought in Florence. I love its antique look.
Recipe: Mini Chicken Lasagnas
Ingredients 
- 500g chicken, chopped small
- 1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes
- ½ onion
- 1 clove garlic
- salt and pepper
- small handful of coriander
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 2 cups grated cheese (7 oz)
- Coriander for garnish
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Spray soufflé dishes or small pans with cooking spray.
- Brown onion and garlic, then add the chicken and cook until it is cooked through.
- Add the can of tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook fast until the liquid has reduced.
- To make the white sauce, in a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Blend the flour into the melted butter.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Cook over low heat, stirring, until it creates a mass.
- Slowly add 1 cup of milk, stirring constantly.
- Continue cooking slowly until smooth and thickened.
- Add 1 cup of cheese and heat until it is melted.
- Lay 4 wonton wrappers into the base of the baking dishes, overlapping a little and with the edges a little higher than the dish edges.
- Add a layer of the chicken mixture.
- Add one wonton wrapper over the top and then spread a layer of white sauce on top.
- Add one last wonton wrapper over the sauce and spoon the rest of the chicken on top.
- Finish with the last of the white sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- If you like, you can remove the lasagnas from their dishes by using a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out.
- Garnish with coriander and serve.
Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 15 minute(s)
How fun. It is beautiful when you cut into it and you can see how deep it is. Thank goodness for wonton wrappers. They make so many dishes possible. However, i would have loved to see the Italian women making those sheets of pasta. That wouldn’t be anything I get to see very often! When you mentioned spring there and fall way over here, it amazes me how incredible far apart we are on this planet! Have a terrific weekend.
thyme (sarah) recently posted..Gingered Squash Bisque with Sage Croutons…for weekend snuggles
Yes, there is nothing like the original dishes, and watching them being made is a true pleasure. We are so far apart and that is made real by the changing seasons and by that long flight to get over to the upper northern hemisphere.
admin recently posted..Mini Chicken Lasagnas with Wonton wrappers
What a great idea to have individual lasagnas. I just love lasagne but I don’t have chicken lasagne often enough. This looks like a fabulous and delicious family meal xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..A Private Birth
I try to make individual everything these days so I don’t overeat. When mine is finished that is it – no second helpings!
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Mini Chicken Lasagnas with Wonton wrappers
Your pictures look amazing! I like the individual lasagnas, but I always do the opposite at home. I cook in large dishes so me and my sons have enough to eat.
My wife usually eats very small portions. I like the fact that you used bechamel sauce in your lasagna. That’s how I like to make my lasagna, too.
Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog recently posted..GMOs – Support Prop 37- Learn the Facts About Our Food
Thanks, Frank. I always have to make two portions for Adriano so he can get enough calories but I sure don’t need them. LOL.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Mini Chicken Lasagnas with Wonton Wrappers
Beautiful to look at and no doubt tasty to eat! The vagaries of living rurally in Oz, pretty and peaceful tho’ it may be – I am still trying to convince the local supermarkets to stock wonton wrappers : ‘Our customers like plain food, dear’! Ugh at times . . .
We have to go to specialty shops to find the wonton wrappers but at least we can find them. I am sure the rural plain food-lovers would use the wonton wrappers if they knew how great they are.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Mini Chicken Lasagnas with Wonton Wrappers
Such treasures you brought home from your trip! LOVE them. And your lasagna looks terrific, too!
I love them too, Liz. And I have a few more too.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Mini Chicken Lasagnas with Wonton Wrappers
Really nice dish, and great photos. I’ve been using wonton wrappers lately too, but for ravioli. I should try it in a lasagna – it makes so much sense. Good stuff – thanks.
kitchenriffs recently posted..Easy No-Knead Homemade Bread
I must try ravioli with them. They are my next best friend.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Lemon Curd Cupcakes – I got to use the excess berry cream cheese frosting
Mmmm…good idea, to change it up a bit! I’m sure mi familia will get a total kick out of these mini lasagna wonton pies!
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Cherry Tomato, Onion, and Gruyère Tart
I am sure my husband’s Italian family would be amused too to see this variation on a lasagna.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Mediterranean Pies
This is just so wonderful but would this Lasagne stay for long or should be eaten instantly. Would the sauce not make the Wanton Wrappers soggy. Do le me know.
We had none left so I am not sure but I think these would be best freshly cooked.
Suzanne
admin recently posted..Thai Chicken Tartlettes