Description
This Quick White Lasagna Soup is a comforting and creamy twist on classic lasagna flavors, delivered in a warm, hearty soup form. Featuring tender chicken, pasta, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy broth thickened with half-and-half and cornstarch, it’s an easy, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week. Finished with a trio of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses to create a rich, cheesy texture reminiscent of traditional lasagna.
Ingredients
Scale
For the soup base:
- 3 tbsp butter (unsalted, Kerrygold preferred)
- 1 onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp chili flakes
- 4 cups chicken broth (Swanson low-sodium preferred)
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 cups pasta (campanelle or fusilli)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
For the thickener:
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, whisked with half-and-half until smooth
For the garnishes:
- Ricotta cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (Galbani whole milk mozzarella preferred)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Dice the onion into 1/2-inch pieces, mince the garlic cloves, chop the sun-dried tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces, and cut the chicken breast into 1-inch chunks. Set these aside to prepare for cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until foaming. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent to build the flavor base of the soup.
- Add Spices and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant to bloom the spices and deepen the flavor.
- Simmer Soup Base: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the chicken chunks and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety and tenderness.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken simmers, boil pasta in a separate pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside for adding later.
- Prepare Thickener: In a small bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and cornstarch until completely smooth with no lumps. Pour this liaison into the simmering broth while stirring constantly, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the soup slightly thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
- Shred Chicken and Combine: Remove cooked chicken with a slotted spoon to a cutting board and shred into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the soup pot.
- Add Pasta and Spinach: Add the drained pasta, fresh spinach, and nutritional yeast to the pot. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve with Cheese Garnishes: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese in the center, then sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese around it. The warmth of the soup will melt the cheeses into a creamy finish.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control saltiness and adjust salt to taste at the end.
- Campanelle or fusilli pasta works best because their shapes hold onto the creamy sauce well.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to keep a nice texture in the soup.
- Shred the chicken finely for easy eating and even distribution throughout the soup.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken, perhaps adding beans for protein.
- Adding nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor and extra nutrients without dairy.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit if sensitive to heat.
- This soup reheats well in the microwave or stove—add a splash of broth if it thickens too much when stored.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: white lasagna soup, creamy chicken soup, Italian soup recipe, quick dinner soup, one-pot meal
