Ham and Mushroom Lasagne Recipe
08. Feb, 2010 
12 Comments
Every year for J’s birthday I give him his choice of what he wants for dinner, anything goes. Frequent choices are lamb shanks, spaghetti bolognese or penne with zucchini. This year he told me to cook whatever I wanted that I thought he would like. I chose to adapt a lasagne from Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking as he loves Italian food.
This lasagne is quite different then the traditional american lasagna with no tomato sauce at all. The dried mushrooms give the sauce a rich, earthy depth of flavour and the bechamel is creamy and delicious. While the ham is nice, I think a vegetarian version omitting the ham would also be fantastic. Oh and J was very pleased. Though he is fond of what he ate as a child, he said it might be the best lasagne he has ever had. Thanks again Marcella.
This is definitely a weekend meal as there are many steps and it probably takes at least 60 minutes of labor even before baking. If you are looking for something quicker and simpler it tastes quite similar to this creamy linguine with ham and peas. However, the work you put into the lasagna will be worth it, I promise.
Ham and Mushroom Lasagne Recipe
(makes 8×8 lasagna, about 6 servings)
(Adapted from Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking)
1/2oz dried porcini or boleto mushrooms
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 small onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup whole Italian tomatoes, drained and chopped
1-2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
1/2 dozen large white or cremini mushrooms, washed and thinly sliced
1 portobello, washed and thinly sliced
1 package italian Lasagna noodles
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk (I used 2%)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup ham, thinly sliced into strips
1 2/2 cups freshly grated Parmiggiano Reggiano
Add dried mushrooms to 2/3 cup warm water. Allow to soak for at least 30 minutes. Carefully remove mushrooms without disturbing water too much. Pour soaking water through a cheesecloth or paper towel lined wire strainer and set aside. Rinse mushrooms under water and carefully remove any grit, squeeze dry, roughly chop and set aside.
In a large saute pan with a lid, melt butter and oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, stirring regularly. Add chopped reconstituted mushrooms, tomatoes, parsley and mushroom soaking water. Turn heat down to medium low and partially cover. Simmer gently until liquid is gone. Add fresh mushrooms turn up the heat to medium high and stir regularly. The mushrooms will release liquid. Cook until liquid is absorbed again and mixture is generally dry. Taste and correct for seasoning. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook lasagna noodles to package directions, leaving slightly al dente. Drain and set aside. (You can keep them from sticking in several ways, separated on damp dish towels or oiled parchment paper.)
Preheat oven to 400F. Make the bechamel. In a sauce pan melt the 4 tablespoons of butter, bring heat to medium and whisk in flour. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a gently simmer, whisking until nice and thick. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to start. Than correct and taste for seasoning. Reduce heat to low and stir occasionally while assembling lasagna.
Now it is time to assemble the lasagna. First gently butter an 8×8 dish. Put down a layer of noodles then scatter with a layer of mushrooms, using about 1/4 of the mushrooms. Top with a quarter of the ham, then 1/5 of the bechamel and 1/5 of the cheese. Top with another layer of noodles. Do 3 more layers like this. The last layer should end with noodles, then the last of the bechamel topped with some cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes covered with aluminum foil, remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
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Originally started as a way to document and learn to cook, the site chronicles my journey as I learn a few new things, create recipes, and have a disaster or two.
no tomato sauce? interesting. i think that’s my favorite part of lasagne haha. but i do love my mushrooms so i think i’d be satisfied
Mushrooms and ham in a lasagne. This must be perfect. Thanks for the recipe
A mushroom lasagna would be quite fine for me but since you’re throwing in some ham…bonus!
mmm sounds delicious
I love mushrooms so I think I would enjoy this! Thanks for sharing this completely different approach to preparing lasagne.
This sounds marvelous! I love mushrooms and in a no-red sauce lasagna I bet they really shine.
That looks really delicious.
Fabulous. You know I love mushrooms, ham and cream and in a lasagne, I’d be in heaven. What a lovely dish to make for J. I wish someone would make it for me!
Karyn – I get it, that is usually my favorite part too. This is just something different!
hungry Dog – I only pamper him once a year. Of course…I cook for him pretty much everyday. He is a lucky guy that way
I just found you through a comment on The Hungry Dog. As a fellow Marcella Hazan lover, I had to see your mushroom lasagna. Yum! Looks wonderful! I’ve never tried this recipe, but I will now. Thanks for the inspiration.
Pam
You had me at mushroom lasagna but the ham would make it even tastier!
Wow, great recipe! Excellent results at home when I made it. I just replaced the ham by some Spanish iberico de bellota ham, also called black hoof or pata negra for an improved and more refine taste. Definitely one recipe to keep on my cooking book.