Quick White Lasagna Soup Recipe
A comforting and creamy Quick White Lasagna Soup that combines tender chicken, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, and spinach in a rich broth thickened with half-and-half and cornstarch. Topped with a blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, this soup captures the essence of classic white lasagna in a fast, easy-to-make meal perfect for chilly days.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Soup Base
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (preferably Kerrygold)
- 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 low-sodium chicken broth (e.g., Swanson)
- 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 recommended)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Thickener
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (whisked with half-and-half until smooth)
Garnishes
- Ricotta cheese (for creamy texture)
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Mozzarella cheese (preferably Galbani whole milk mozzarella), shredded
- Prepare Mise en Place and Start the Aromatics: Dice the onion into 1/2-inch pieces, mince the garlic cloves, and chop the sun-dried tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch chunks. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it foams, then add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. This step creates the flavorful base for your soup.
- Build the Flavor Base with Aromatics and Spices: Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chili flakes to the softened onions. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant, allowing the spices to bloom and release their essential oils to deepen the flavor of the soup.
- Simmer the Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the chicken chunks and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. While the chicken simmers, cook the pasta separately in salted boiling water according to package directions.
- Remove Chicken and Create the Cream Liaison: Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it carefully using a slotted spoon and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and cornstarch until smooth with no lumps to make a liaison. Pour the liaison into the simmering broth while stirring constantly, then cook for 1-2 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine All Components and Finish with Greens: Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the soup along with fresh spinach and nutritional yeast. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to achieve a creamy, comforting flavor profile.
- Serve with Cheese Blend: 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 around it. The warmth of the soup will soften the cheeses, creating a rich, luxurious finish reminiscent of traditional white lasagna.
Notes
- Use campanelle or fusilli pasta as they hold the creamy sauce better than other pasta shapes.
- For best flavor, use freshly minced garlic cloves and high-quality unsalted butter.
- The liaison (half-and-half mixed with cornstarch) thickens the soup without making it gummy; ensure it’s well-whisked before adding.
- Adjust seasoning after combining the ingredients since the cheeses and nutritional yeast add saltiness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop to avoid curdling.
Keywords: white lasagna soup, chicken lasagna soup, creamy chicken soup, quick soup recipes, Italian soup, pasta soup, dinner soup, easy weeknight meal