This Slow Cooker White Lasagna Soup transforms the classic Italian comfort food into a creamy, soul-warming soup that cooks effortlessly in your crockpot. Combining the flavors of traditional lasagna with a velvety white broth, this innovative soup delivers all the satisfaction of homemade lasagna without the layering and baking, making it perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Set it and forget it convenience with your slow cooker
• All the flavors of lasagna in an easy-to-eat soup form
• Creamy, comforting texture that’s perfect for cold weather
• Balanced nutrition with protein, vegetables, and carbs in one dish
• Easily customizable to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs

Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts provide lean protein and become perfectly tender and shreddable after slow cooking.
• Onion: A white onion creates a sweet, aromatic base for the soup; yellow onions can be substituted if preferred.
• Garlic: Fresh minced cloves add essential flavor depth; jarred minced garlic works in a pinch, but fresh provides the best flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: This herb blend typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram for authentic Italian flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in the soup.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat that can be adjusted or omitted depending on your spice preference.
• Chicken Stock: The foundation of the soup that provides richness and depth; low-sodium varieties work well if you’re watching salt intake.
• Sundried Tomatoes: These add a concentrated, sweet-tart flavor and beautiful color contrast; oil-packed or dry varieties both work.
• Heavy Cream: Creates the signature velvety white base; half-and-half can be substituted for a lighter option.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickener to give the soup a luxurious consistency.
• Spinach: Fresh spinach adds color, nutrition, and a mild flavor that complements the creamy broth.
• Lasagna Noodles: Regular (not no-boil) lasagna noodles broken into pieces create the authentic lasagna experience.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that completes the lasagna flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Brightens the dish with color and a fresh herbal note when served.

Variations

Vegetarian White Lasagna Soup

Transform this dish into a vegetarian delight by substituting vegetable broth for chicken stock and replacing chicken with a mix of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash. Add 1-2 cups of white beans for protein. The earthy mushrooms create a hearty, satisfying base that mimics the umami quality of chicken.

Dairy-Free Option

Create a dairy-free version by replacing heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream. The coconut milk adds a subtle sweetness that pairs surprisingly well with the Italian herbs, while cashew cream maintains the neutral, creamy profile. Skip the parmesan or use a non-dairy alternative for garnish.

Spicy Italian Sausage Twist

For a heartier, spicier variation, replace the chicken with Italian sausage (sweet or hot, depending on your preference). Brown the sausage before adding it to the slow cooker for enhanced flavor. The fennel and other spices in Italian sausage complement the soup’s flavor profile and add an exciting dimension.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Add diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken stock and stir well to combine, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the liquid. This aromatic base will infuse the chicken with flavor as it cooks.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Add whole chicken breasts to the seasoned broth mixture in the slow cooker. Sprinkle chopped sundried tomatoes over the top, which will slowly release their rich flavor into the broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is completely tender and easily shreds with a fork.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Soup

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth to create a slurry, then pour this mixture into the slow cooker. Stir well to incorporate, cover, and continue cooking on high for 30 minutes until the soup thickens.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

While the soup thickens, cook the broken lasagna noodles according to package directions, drain, and set aside. After the soup has thickened, stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Just before serving, gently fold in the cooked lasagna noodles. Serve topped with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Cook the lasagna noodles separately rather than in the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming overly soft or absorbing too much liquid
• For deeper flavor, sauté the onions and garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil before adding to the slow cooker
• Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry step – it’s essential for achieving the perfect creamy consistency
• Shred the chicken while it’s still warm for the easiest handling
• Add the spinach and noodles just before serving to maintain their texture and vibrant color
• If the soup seems too thick after adding the noodles, thin it with additional warm chicken stock

How to Serve

Serve this Slow Cooker White Lasagna Soup in deep bowls with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Pair it with crusty garlic bread or a simple side salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette for a complete meal. For an extra touch of indulgence, top each serving with a small dollop of ricotta cheese that will slowly melt into the soup, creating pockets of creamy richness.

Make Ahead

This soup is perfect for meal prep and actually improves in flavor after a day in the refrigerator. You can prepare the base soup with chicken through Step 3, omitting the spinach and noodles. Cool completely and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, reheat the soup gently on the stovetop, add fresh spinach until wilted, and fold in freshly cooked lasagna noodles. This approach prevents the noodles from becoming soggy during storage.

FAQs

Can I make this soup on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes! To adapt this recipe for the stovetop, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil in a large Dutch oven until softened. Add the seasonings, chicken, sundried tomatoes, and broth, then simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove and shred the chicken, return it to the pot, and follow the remaining steps as written, adjusting cooking times as needed.

Can I use different pasta shapes instead of broken lasagna noodles?

Absolutely! While broken lasagna noodles create the authentic lasagna experience, other short pasta shapes like bowtie (farfalle), rotini, or egg noodles work beautifully. Select a pasta with nooks and crannies that will hold the creamy broth for maximum flavor in each bite.

How can I make this soup thicker or thinner?

For a thicker soup, increase the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons or add 1/4 cup of mascarpone cheese along with the heavy cream. For a thinner consistency, add additional chicken stock 1/2 cup at a time until you reach your desired thickness, or reduce the cornstarch to 1 tablespoon.

Is this soup freezer-friendly?

Yes, but with some modifications. Freeze the soup without the pasta and spinach. When reheating, add fresh spinach and freshly cooked pasta to the hot soup. Cream-based soups can sometimes separate when frozen and reheated, so gently warm over low heat, stirring occasionally to recombine.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker White Lasagna Soup brilliantly reimagines a classic Italian dish into a comforting, hassle-free meal perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. The creamy broth, tender chicken, and familiar lasagna elements create a deeply satisfying bowl that will quickly become a family favorite. With minimal hands-on time and maximum flavor, this soup proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated to be extraordinary. Give it a try the next time you’re craving lasagna flavors but want something a little different!

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