This might be the coziest bowl of comfort you'll crave all season: creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken. If you like the idea of a lasagna but in soup form, the Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe is going to become your new favorite weeknight miracle.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made this Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe — it was a chilly evening, and I wanted something hearty without a ton of fuss. The way the rich broth envelops the shredded chicken and tender noodles was a total game changer. It’s so comforting, yet light enough that you don’t feel weighed down.
- Super creamy and light: This soup combines half-and-half with a cornstarch slurry to get just the right thickness without heaviness.
- Inspired by lasagna flavors: Think garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and plenty of cheeses all blending perfectly in each spoonful.
- Quick to make: Unlike traditional lasagna, this comes together in about 40 minutes—perfect when time’s tight but you want something special.
- Fully customizable: You can easily swap noodles, add veggies, or boost the spice to make it your own comfort food classic.
Ingredients & Why They Work
I love how every ingredient in this Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe plays its part to create layers of flavor without overwhelming the palate. The combination is familiar but fresh, and I’ll share tips so you can pick the best versions for your kitchen.
- Unsalted butter: Provides that silky base; starting with unsalted lets you control the saltiness better.
- Onion: Sautéed until golden brings sweetness and a savory depth that’s subtle but essential.
- Garlic: Minced fresh for pungent, aromatic warmth—don’t skip it!
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs gives the soup those classic lasagna vibes.
- Salt, pepper, and red chili flakes: Seasoning balances and adds a little kick that wakes up your taste buds.
- Chicken broth: I recommend low sodium so you can adjust salt later; homemade broth always works wonders if you have it.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to shred after cooking, and they soak up all the flavors in the broth.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a tangy, slightly sweet punch—try to find the ones packed in oil if possible for extra richness.
- Dry short pasta or broken lasagna noodles: Pasta in the soup gives texture and substance; I prefer broken lasagna noodles because they’re nostalgic and fun to eat.
- Half-and-half: Adds creaminess without the heaviness of heavy cream, making the soup luscious yet light.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the soup gently when combined with half-and-half—no clumps if you whisk well!
- Fresh spinach: Stirred in last for a fresh green pop and an easy veggie boost.
- Ricotta, Parmesan, and shredded mozzarella cheese: The finishing touch for that cheesy lasagna feeling.
Make It Your Way
What’s wonderful about this Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe is how flexible it is. Over time, I’ve played around with it to suit different moods and dietary needs — and it always turns out delicious.
- Variation: If you want a vegetarian twist, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and add extra mushrooms or zucchini for a meaty texture.
- Spice it up: I sometimes add a dash more red chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a warming kick that brightens the creamy soup.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta—just watch cooking times to keep that perfect al dente bite.
- Make it hearty: Adding white beans or cooked Italian sausage are fab ways to bulk up this soup for extra protein and flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Build that flavor base
Start by melting butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Once it’s melted and bubbling, toss in your finely chopped onion. Cook this while stirring occasionally until you see the edges start to caramelize—about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key because it brings out a natural sweetness that mellows the whole soup.
Step 2: Add aromatics and seasonings
Next, stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red chili flakes. These spices only need about a minute to bloom and release their fragrances—don’t let the garlic brown too much or it might get bitter.
Step 3: Simmer the chicken and broth
Pour in the chicken broth, then nestle the whole, uncooked chicken breasts into the pot along with chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Turn the heat higher to bring everything to a simmer. After it bubbles, cover and lower heat to medium-low. Let it cook gently for 12 to 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through—the internal temperature should hit 165°F. This slow simmer means the broth soaks up those meaty juices and tomato flavor.
Step 4: Cook the pasta separately
While the chicken is poaching, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your short pasta or broken lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Cooking the pasta separately ensures it won't become mushy or soak up all the soup’s goodness.
Step 5: Shred chicken and thicken the soup
Remove the chicken breasts with tongs and shred them using two forks. Meanwhile, whisk together half-and-half and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth, then stir this mixture into the simmering broth. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the soup thickens gently—this gives you that luscious, velvety texture without heaviness.
Step 6: Bring it all together
Add the shredded chicken, cooked pasta, and chopped spinach into the pot. Stir everything well and heat through just until the spinach wilts and everything is hot. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a little extra salt or chili flakes makes all the difference.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks that really help this Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe shine. They might seem small, but they’ll save you from some common hiccups and elevate the final dish.
- Don’t overcook your pasta: Cooking pasta separately and adding it at the end avoids soggy noodles soaking in soup—always rinse briefly if you’re prepping in advance.
- Whisk the half-and-half and cornstarch: To avoid lumps, always mix these two ingredients in a separate bowl before stirring into the soup.
- Use low-sodium broth: This lets you control saltiness, especially since cheeses add salt later on.
- Don’t skip the sun-dried tomatoes: They add an umami punch and balance the creaminess perfectly—if oily-packed, add just a bit for richness without heaviness.
How to Serve Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my bowl with a generous dollop of ricotta—it melts slightly and makes every bite extra indulgent. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan adds saltiness and a nutty hint, while shredded mozzarella blends in beautifully if you want more gooey cheese. Fresh basil or a pinch of cracked black pepper on top make it pop visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
For sides, I usually keep it simple — a crispy green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Garlic bread or a soft, warm baguette are also winners for dipping and soaking up every last bit of that creamy broth.
Creative Ways to Present
On special occasions, I serve this soup in mini crock pots or rustic bread bowls for a cozy, impressive presentation. Adding a swirl of pesto or a drizzle of chili oil can also make it look fancy without any extra effort. I once turned it into a fun dinner party starter, pairing it alongside antipasto platters for a true Italian-themed night.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. Because the pasta can absorb liquid over time, I recommend keeping pasta separate if you can—or plan to reheat with a splash of broth to loosen things up.
Freezing
This soup freezes well, but I freeze it before adding pasta and spinach. When ready to eat, thaw overnight, then add fresh pasta and spinach, cooking just until heated through. This keeps textures fresh and flavors bright.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching. Add a little broth or water if the soup seems too thick. If reheating in the microwave, do it in 1-minute increments, stirring between bursts for even warming.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you have leftover cooked chicken, you can add it in during the last few minutes of cooking to heat through. Just skip the step where you simmer the raw chicken in broth.
Short pasta shapes like broken lasagna noodles, penne, or rigatoni work great. They hold up nicely without becoming mushy and complement the soup’s texture perfectly.
Yes! Swap the half-and-half for coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer, and replace the cheeses with vegan alternatives or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
The red chili flakes add just a mild warmth that gently wakes up the flavors without overpowering the creaminess. You can always adjust the amount based on your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe holds a special place on my chilly-night rotation because it delivers all the cozy pasta-and-cheese comfort we associate with lasagna, but without the hours of prep and fuss. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for busy nights or when you want to treat yourself with minimal effort. I hope you love making and sharing this soup as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that effortlessly becomes a family favorite.
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Creamy White Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Creamy and comforting White Lasagna Soup combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and hearty pasta in a flavorful broth thickened with half-and-half and cornstarch. Garnished with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, this soup brings the delicious essence of classic lasagna in an easy-to-make bowl.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Pasta
- 2 cups dry short pasta or broken lasagna noodles
Thickening and Greens
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Garnishes
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat until melted and shimmering, about 1 minute.
- Sauté onion: Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until just starting to brown and softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add aromatics and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add broth and chicken: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Add the uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pot.
- Simmer chicken: Increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is fully cooked through.
- Cook pasta: While the soup simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the dry short pasta or broken lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Shred chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the soup and shred them with two forks into bite-sized pieces.
- Thicken soup: In a small bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and cornstarch until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering soup and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the soup slightly thickens.
- Finish the soup: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add the cooked pasta and roughly chopped spinach. Stir well and heat through until the spinach wilts and everything is hot.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, garnished generously with ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese for a creamy, cheesy finish.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like broken lasagna noodles, rotini, or penne if lasagna noodles are unavailable.
- For a thicker soup, increase cornstarch to 3 tablespoons, mixing well before adding.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add rich umami flavor; substitute with roasted red peppers if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; drain as soon as al dente to prevent mushiness when added to soup.
- Leftover soup keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the dairy.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half with whole milk, but expect a thinner texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg

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