The Easy Lasagna Soup You’ll Want on Repeat (2024)

Like the original lasagna soup, this recipe has all the basic components of a white chicken lasagna—chicken (of course!), cheese, spinach, lasagna noodles—but instead of layering them into a casserole, I throw them into a soup pot. It’s just as satisfying and comforting, but easier and quicker to make on a weeknight.

One-Pot Wonder

I love a good one-pot recipe because it feels easier for my brain to handle on weeknights and means fewer pots to clean. With this particular recipe, cooking everything in single stock pot has two more advantages:

  1. More Chicken Flavor! Because the chicken gets poached right in the soup broth, all of its chicken-y goodness stays right in the soup where it belongs.
  2. Extra Creamy Soup! The noodles also get cooked directly in the soup, which turns the broth starchy and silky. Once you stir in the Parmesan cheese and the whole milk, this gives you a creamy, satisfying soup without the need for a roux or any other thickeners.

Note that the noodles will continue to absorb liquid and soften as the soup cools, though I find that lasagna noodles are hearty enough that they still have a chewy bite even when reheated the next day. However, if this bothers you, cook the noodles separately and scoop out two cups of the starchy pasta cooking water to use instead of the water when making the soup.

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Mushrooms in My Lasagna?

To me, a soup like this should be a hearty meal-in-a-bowl affair, and I felt like this one needed something more than the standard chicken lasagna ingredients to round it out. Mushrooms were the answer. They add substance and complement the rich flavors in the soup without changing its basic nature.

You can skip the mushrooms if you’re a chicken lasagna purist, but I recommend giving them a try!

Swaps and Substitutions

I have found this soup to be endlessly adaptable to a wide range of ingredients in my pantry. Try any of these:

  • Swap the lasagna noodles for any other shaped pasta, particularly those that have plenty of nooks and crannies for the creamy broth like rotini or farfalle.
  • Swap the spinach for any other hearty green.
  • Add a half cup of chopped sundried tomatoes for color and extra flavor.
  • If you are in possession of a Parmesan rind, chop it into pieces and add to the soup for more Parmesan flavor.
  • If you really want to take things over the top, add 4 ounces of cream cheese or sour cream.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk for the whole milk and use a non-dairy cheese (or skip the cheese altogether—it’s still good!).
  • This takes us even further away from this recipe’s “chicken lasagna” origin, but for a vegetarian version, adding a can or two of drained chickpeas instead of the chicken would be delicious and just as filling.

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Chicken Soups for the Soul

  • Mom's Chicken and Noodle Soup
  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
  • Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Chicken Pozole Blanco

Easy Chicken Lasagna Soup

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided, plus more to taste

  • 16 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, thinly sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 quartunsalted chicken stock or broth

  • 2 cups water

  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme, or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

  • 8 ounces dry lasagna noodles

  • 10 ounces baby spinach

  • 1 cup (4 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 cups whole milk

  • Ricotta, to serve

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Cook the aromatics:

    Warm a tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Try to avoid too much browning.

    Add the mushrooms and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook until they have released their liquid and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.

    Clear a little space in the middle of the pan and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds, and then stir into the vegetables.

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  2. Add the liquids, herbs, and chicken:

    Add the chicken stock, water, thyme, bay leaf, and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add the chicken. Let the soup return to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

    Cook until the chicken is cooked through and pulls apart easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate to cool enough to handle.

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  3. Add the noodles and spinach, shred the chicken:

    Bring the soup back to a rapid simmer. Working over the pot, break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and add to the soup. Stir in the baby spinach. Stirring occasionally, cook until the noodles are al dente and the spinach is wilted, 8 to 10 minutes.

    Meanwhile, shred the chicken into small pieces with two forks.

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  4. Finish with milk, Parmesan, and ricotta:

    When the noodles and spinach are done, add the shredded chicken back to the soup and remove the thyme stems and bay leaf. Stir in the shredded Parmesan and the milk, and return the soup to a simmer. Taste the broth and add more salt or pepper if needed.

    Remove from the heat and ladle into bowls. Serve with a dollop or two of ricotta and a few cracks of fresh pepper.

    Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a review below!

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
265Calories
10g Fat
20g Carbs
24g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories265
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g13%
Saturated Fat 4g21%
Cholesterol 57mg19%
Sodium 1204mg52%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 3g10%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 13mg66%
Calcium 251mg19%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 675mg14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

The Easy Lasagna Soup You’ll Want on Repeat (2024)

FAQs

How to thicken up soupy lasagna? ›

Whether you're making a tomato and meat sauce from scratch or using a jarred sauce, you can thicken it with cornstarch to prevent the problem of a soupy lasagna. Cornstarch is a classic binding ingredient that won't affect the sauce's flavor and is much more effective than flour.

Where did lasagna soup originate? ›

While the exact origin of lasagna soup is unclear, it is believed to have originated in the United States, likely as a creative adaptation of the popular pasta dish. Italy, known for its love of pasta, specifically lasagna, inspired the creation of lasagna soup.

How many calories are in lasagna soup? ›

Homemade Lasagna Soup (1 serving) contains 32g total carbs, 28g net carbs, 3g fat, 9g protein, and 235 calories.

How to thicken lasagna without tomato paste? ›

Cornstarch: Make a slurry of half water, half cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener, so start by whisking in no more than 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of simmering sauce; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, check the thickness, and repeat with more slurry as needed.

What makes lasagna soupy? ›

Several factors can contribute to a lasagna recipe turning out excessively wet. These include noodles that haven't been dried enough, watery vegetables or sloppy meat sauce, and the often-overlooked culprit — ricotta cheese.

How to stop lasagne from being sloppy? ›

How can I keep lasagna from being a mushy mess? The best way is to keep your ingredients dry. Cook your pasta sauce long enough to boil out most of the moisture so the sauce is thick.

What does lasagna mean in Italian? ›

The Romans borrowed the word as lasanum, meaning 'cooking pot'. The Italians used the word to refer to the cookware in which lasagna is made. Later the food took on the name of the serving dish.

What is the difference between American lasagna and Italian lasagna? ›

The primary differences I found between American lasagne and Italian lasagne were: The use of a layer or two of white bechamel (“"besciamella”) sauce imparts a nice creaminess to the lasagne in Italy. The pasta sheets seemed thinner and “fresher” in Italian pasta, very tender and with a “"melt in your mouth” texture.

What ethnicity is lasagna? ›

lasagna, pasta dish of Italian origin, made with broad often ruffled noodles and a tomato or white sauce. Lasagna, in the singular, is a southern Italian variation of what northern Italians call lasagne, in the plural.

Can I boil oven-ready lasagna noodles? ›

Yes, you can absolutely boil your lasagna noodles – even the oven-ready type. I prefer to par-boil (partially boil) oven-ready dried noodles for lasagna for 3-5 minutes before they become “al dente”. Al dente is an Italian term that literally means 'to the tooth'.

How many calories are in 2 cups of lasagna soup? ›

There are 302 calories in 1 cup of Lasagna Soup.

How long to boil lasagna noodles? ›

How Long to Cook / Boil Lasagna Noodles? Dried lasagna noodles take between 11 and 15 minutes to cook all the way through. It is best to cut that cooking time in half, so they don't get overly soggy from baking in the oven. Use a pot that can fit your lasagna noodles lengthwise, so they cook evenly.

Can I use ketchup instead of tomato paste for lasagna? ›

However, since ketchup is sweeter and has a different taste than tomato paste, as well as a different consistency, it isn't our first choice for a substitute. Still, ketchup can be used in a 1:1 ratio when substituting for tomato paste.

Why is my zucchini lasagna watery? ›

You may recall from my zucchini noodles post that zucchini is 95% water. That means when you cook it, it will naturally become watery. But if you're looking to have a little less juice in your lasagna, I do have a few tips: Slice your zucchini into thinner slices: Thinner slices mean fewer zucchini, thus less water.

What can I use in place of ricotta cheese in lasagna? ›

What can I use in place of ricotta cheese in lasagna? Instead of ricotta cheese, use cottage cheese, cream cheese, shredded cheese, or mascarpone.

How do you get rid of watery lasagna? ›

How do you make lasagna less watery? Use the oven-ready (no boil) lasagna noodles. It absorbs some of the extra liquid released from the cheeses and sauce and keep it firmer. Also, do NOT use part-skim mozzarella or ricotta - use the whole milk versions.

How do you remove liquid from lasagna? ›

Our best advice is to drain and rinse the cooked noodles, using a colander. Then, carefully dry each noodle by laying it on a piece of parchment or waxed paper, dabbing it with a paper towel, and letting it air dry until most of the water is gone.

How do I make my lasagna more solid? ›

If you need to, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon each of all-purpose flour and butter (also called a beurre manié) and add this to the pasta sauce to help thicken it if you don't have time to let the sauce reduce and thicken on its own.

How do you thicken watery ricotta? ›

There are several ways to thicken ricotta filling. One is to place the filling in a fine strainer over a bowl and allow excess liquid to drain off. Another way is to line the strainer with cheesecloth. Yet another way is to add a thickener such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch.

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