There’s nothing like a bowl of hearty, creamy comfort food on a cool evening, and this White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe fits the bill perfectly. It’s like your favorite lasagna, cozy and warm, but in soup form—so satisfying and easier to whip up than you might think.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe with you, because it blends rich, creamy textures and classic Italian flavors in a way that feels special without being complicated. Every spoonful tastes like a warm hug after a long day.
- Comfort in a Bowl: Creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and veggies, it’s everything you want from lasagna but in an easy-to-scoop form.
- Simple Ingredients: You can find everything in any grocery store, and they come together quickly—even on busy weeknights.
- Customizable for Your Taste: Spinach or kale, extra noodles or light on cheese—you make it your own.
- Impresses Without Stress: It looks fancy but is truly cozy and homey, perfect for family dinners or unexpected guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe lies in the blend of simple but flavor-packed ingredients that create richness and body, ensuring every bite is layered with comforting notes.
- Unsalted butter: Gives a silky, rich base for sautéing veggies without adding extra salt too early.
- Onion, carrots, celery: Classic soffritto that creates a gentle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Adds that unmistakable Italian aroma and warmth.
- Italian seasoning & dried basil: Instant Italian vibes that bring the lasagna flavor notes alive.
- Salt, black pepper, nutmeg: A bit of seasoning balance plus nutmeg’s subtle warmth complements creamy dishes beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the soup, giving you that luscious, slightly creamy texture.
- Chicken broth & water: The savory liquid foundation; feel free to use low sodium broth so you can control salt levels later.
- Chicken breasts: The star protein—lean and tender, bringing heartiness without heaviness.
- Whole milk & cream cheese: These turn the broth into a luxuriously creamy, velvety sauce with a little tang.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the soup for that signature cheesy punch, plus a touch of umami.
- Baby spinach: Adds a fresh, slightly earthy note and color contrast; kale works too if you prefer a bit more bite.
- Lasagna noodles: Broken into bite-sized pieces, they bring pasta comfort while keeping the soup playful.
Make It Your Way
This soup feels like a base for endless delicious tweaks. I love adding roasted red peppers for sweetness, but you can swap in kale instead of spinach, or even experiment with shredded rotisserie chicken to save time. Don’t be afraid to play around!
- Variation: Once, I swapped cream cheese for mascarpone for an even silkier texture—it was decadent and worked beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery and let them soften for about 3–4 minutes. The kitchen fills with that lovely “building flavor” smell. Then, add garlic and cook just until fragrant—about 1 minute. Keep an eye here so the garlic doesn’t brown prematurely.
Step 2: Season and Thicken the Base
Sprinkle in your Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg—it’s that hint of nutmeg that really takes the creamy soup to the next level. Whisk in the flour thoroughly until everything is well coated. This step is crucial to avoid clumps and to turn the broth into that creamy, dreamy base we all want.
Step 3: Add Liquids & Cook Chicken
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine. Crank the heat just enough to bring it to a boil before nestling in the chicken breasts. Turn the heat down, cover, and let it simmer for around 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. I like covering the pot—it keeps moisture locked in.
Step 4: Prep the Pasta and Shred Chicken
While the soup simmers, cook broken lasagna noodles in a separate pot to al dente—al dente is important here, so they don’t turn mushy when added to the soup. Once the chicken’s cool enough, shred it into bite-sized pieces. This part is so satisfying—you get to see your soup coming together.
Step 5: Creamify the Soup
Bring the soup base back to a simmer and stir in the milk and softened cream cheese. Keep stirring gently for 3–5 minutes until everything melts and melds into a smooth, creamy sauce. Then, add Parmesan cheese, baby spinach, and shredded chicken. Let it cook a few more minutes until the spinach wilts and the chicken warms through. Taste and tweak seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Serve with Pasta & Garnishes
Ladle the soup into bowls and add cooked lasagna noodles just before serving so they stay perfectly tender and don’t overcook. Top off with fresh herbs or extra Parmesan if you like. Then dive in—each spoonful is a little celebration.
Top Tip
From my experience making this White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe multiple times, a few tips really make the process smoother and the outcome tastier. These helped me avoid soggy noodles and clumpy soup, and I’m excited to share them so you get the best bowl possible!
- Thicken Slowly: Whisk the flour in carefully before adding liquids to prevent lumps and ensure a creamy, smooth soup base.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook noodles al dente and add them to bowls just before serving to keep their perfect bite.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: It melts better and gives your soup that authentic Italian cheese flavor contrast.
- Moderate Salt: Since chicken broth and cheeses can be salty, taste first before adding extra salt at the end.
How to Serve White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the bowls with freshly chopped basil or parsley and a few generous shavings of Parmesan. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. These simple garnishes brighten up the whole bowl and add a pop of color and freshness.
Side Dishes
Crisp garlic bread or a warm, crusty baguette pairs beautifully here—it’s perfect for dipping into the creamy broth. A light salad with lemon vinaigrette balances out the richness perfectly if you want something fresh on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this soup in small bowls or espresso cups as a starter to an Italian feast. Drizzling a little good olive oil on top right before serving adds a lovely sheen and extra flavor that guests always comment on.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The soup thickens overnight, so I usually add a splash of broth or water when reheating to bring back that perfect creamy consistency.
Freezing
This soup freezes well before adding the cooked noodles. Freeze it in portions and just cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to enjoy it again. I’ve found that freezing with noodles can make them mushy, so better to keep them separate.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often. Add a bit of broth or milk if the soup has thickened too much. This brings back the creamy texture and warms everything evenly without breaking the dairy ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked chicken is a great shortcut. Just add it after the broth is heated and the cream cheese is melted, heat through, and then stir in your noodles and spinach. This saves time and still tastes delicious.
Cream cheese and Parmesan are a classic combo here—cream cheese adds smooth creaminess, while Parmesan brings a savory, salty punch. You can experiment with mascarpone or ricotta for cream cheese alternatives, but Parmesan really anchors the flavor.
To make it vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for a rich vegetable broth, and omit the chicken. For added protein and texture, consider adding cannellini beans or sautéed mushrooms—both give that hearty feel while keeping it meat-free.
Yes! You can make the soup base a day ahead (without noodles) and refrigerate it. When ready to eat, reheat gently, cook fresh lasagna noodles, and add them along with fresh spinach and cheese just before serving. This keeps the noodles from getting mushy.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe holds a little piece of my kitchen’s heart—it takes the comfort of lasagna and transforms it into something warm and cozy that you can enjoy anytime. Whether for a busy weeknight or a relaxing weekend dinner, I know you’ll find it as soul-satisfying and easy as I do. Give it a try and see how quickly it becomes a new family favorite!
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White Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This creamy and comforting White Lasagna Soup with Chicken combines tender chicken breasts, sautéed vegetables, cream cheese, and Parmesan for a delicious twist on traditional lasagna. Featuring baby spinach and broken lasagna noodles, this cozy soup delivers all the classic flavors of white lasagna in a warm, hearty bowl perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
- 1 cup celery stalks (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
Chicken
- 2 medium chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
Dairy and Cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Vegetables
- 3 oz baby spinach
Pasta
- 6 oz lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and chopped celery, sautéing for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Flour: Season the vegetables with Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg. Whisk in the flour until the mixture is well combined, creating a roux to thicken the soup.
- Add Broths and Simmer Chicken: Pour in chicken broth and water, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the chicken breasts. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken breasts from the pot and let them cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: While the chicken simmers, cook the broken lasagna noodles in a separate pot according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Return the soup base to a simmer. Add whole milk and softened cream cheese, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes until the cream cheese melts smoothly into the soup.
- Add Parmesan, Spinach, and Chicken: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, baby spinach, and shredded chicken. Continue cooking and stirring for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts, spinach wilts slightly, and chicken is reheated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Remove the soup from heat. Ladle soup into bowls and add cooked lasagna noodles just before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs and shaved Parmesan if desired. Enjoy your warm, comforting bowl of White Lasagna Soup with Chicken!
Notes
- This soup can be made with kale instead of spinach for a different vegetable twist.
- Use a few extra lasagna noodles if you prefer a pasta-heavy soup; simply adjust the amount to your taste.
- For a richer flavor, garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley and additional shaved Parmesan cheese.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened before adding to avoid clumps in the soup.
- Shredding the chicken once cool enough to handle helps keep the texture tender and easy to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 417 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1309 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg
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