When the week gets crazy and you just need something warm, hearty, and utterly satisfying but don’t have two hours to assemble a casserole, I have the answer. Forget the tedious layers; we’re getting all that amazing, cheesy, tomato-rich lasagna flavor spooned right into a bowl. Seriously, this Chicken Lasagna Soup is my secret weapon for making it feel like a fancy, slow-cooked meal when honestly, it’s done in under 35 minutes!
I know, I know, soup posing as pasta? But trust me, this one photographs beautifully because the textures—the bits of noodle, the creamy cheese pockets, the rich sauce—truly resemble classic lasagna architecture. It’s pure comfort food magic for those evenings when you need a healthy, substantial dinner fast. If you love that baked dish but crave something quicker, you absolutely have to try the spaghetti bake, but this soup beats it for speed!
Why This Chicken Lasagna Soup is Your New Favorite Healthy Weeknight Dinner
Listen, when you need Healthy Weeknight Dinners that actually fill everyone up, this recipe shines. It’s loaded with protein, which keeps tummies satisfied for hours, meaning less midnight snacking!
What I love most is how much it ticks off the easy list:
- It’s a genuine High-Protein Soup ready in about 35 minutes total.
- It’s the ultimate comfort food masquerading as something healthy.
- This Chicken Lasagna Soup is shockingly Kid Friendly Dinners approved—it’s just pasta and cheese in a tasty tomato broth!
If you’re focusing on planning ahead, check out my thoughts on meal prepping or see my favorite keto chicken ideas for other nights!
Ingredients for the Best Chicken Lasagna Soup
When I talk about Cheap Dinners For A Family, this recipe is always number one on my list. The beauty here is that most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you aren’t running to the store every time you crave this cozy soup.
You don’t need anything fancy, just good quality stuff to build that comforting base. Keep your eyes peeled for these items; they are what bring the lasagna flavors without the multi-pan mess:
- You’ll need about 2 cups of cooked chicken, and make sure it’s shredded! I use leftover roasted chicken, but rotisserie works great too.
- Take 8 lasagna noodles and snap them into roughly bite-sized pieces. Don’t measure this too strictly; some bigger shards are welcome!
- We need 1 onion, roughly chopped, for the foundation flavor.
- Don’t skip the garlic! 2 cloves, minced finely.
- One full jar of crushed tomatoes brings that classic saucy element.
- 4 cups of chicken broth—Low sodium is my preference so I can control the saltiness later.
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Pure simplicity.
- And the absolute finishing touch for that lasagna look: about 1/2 cup of ricotta or cottage cheese, just for topping each bowl!
That’s pretty much it! See? Super simple, budget-friendly, and ready to go.
Simple Steps to Make Chicken Lasagna Soup
You won’t believe how fast this comes together. When I need Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes, I love that the whole cooking process stays in one beautiful pot. It’s really just about layering flavors in the right order, which is simple even if you’re having a chaotic evening. If you love soups that feel like a meal, you should also check out my herb chicken tortellini soup for another quick win!
Sautéing Aromatics
First things first, we build our flavor foundation! Get a little oil shimmering in that big pot over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion and let it cook until it gets soft and translucent—we aren’t trying to color it deeply, just soften it up so it melts into the soup later. Once it looks glassy, throw in your minced garlic. Now, listen closely: garlic burns fast! It only needs about 30 seconds until you can really smell it. Don’t walk away during this part!
Building the Soup Base and Simmering
Okay, time for the liquids! Stir in your entire jar of crushed tomatoes—get every last bit out! Then pour in the chicken broth and toss in the Italian seasoning. Now, drop in all those broken lasagna noodle pieces. We let this whole mixture come to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat. You need to simmer this until those noodle pieces are perfectly tender. This generally takes about 12 to 15 minutes, so it’s the perfect time to set the table!
Finishing the Chicken Lasagna Soup
Once the noodles are cooked just right—tender but not mushy—it’s time to bring back the protein. Add your shredded, cooked chicken right into the pot and stir it around until it’s piping hot all the way through. That’s the soup done! Now, serve up big bowls of this Chicken Lasagna Soup, and finish each serving with a lovely dollop of ricotta or cottage cheese right on top. That creamy cloud really gives you the lasagna finish!
Tips for Perfect Chicken Lasagna Soup Success
When you’re relying on quick dinner ideas that still taste like they took hours, consistency is key. I’ve made this Chicken Lasagna Soup dozens of times, and I’ve learned a few little secrets to keep it from turning into a giant sticky mess at the bottom of the pot. Trust me, nobody wants to scrape burnt noodles off their favorite stockpot!
Here are the three things I *always* do to guarantee success, especially if you are serving this to your family:
- Don’t Over-Simmer the Noodles: This is the biggest pitfall! Lasagna noodles absorb liquid like crazy, even after you turn the heat off. I pull them when they are just barely cooked—maybe 90% done. They finish softening right there in the hot broth as you serve them. If you wait until they are perfectly done in the pot, they’ll be mushy in the bowl.
- Keep It Moving Early On: Once you add those broken noodles, you absolutely must stir frequently for the first five minutes of the simmer. Lasagna noodles are wider than standard soup pasta, and they love to clump together and stick right to the bottom. Giving it a good scrape every minute or so prevents any sticking disaster.
- Build the Flavor Deeply: Since this is a quick soup, we don’t have hours for the flavor to marry. That means you need to really bloom your Italian seasoning with the hot onions *before* adding the liquid. Even better, if you have a little tomato paste hiding in the crisper, sauté a tablespoon of that with the garlic—wow, that gives the broth so much more body!
If you are looking for a different kind of cozy pot meal, my recipe for creamy chicken noodle soup uses a similar one-pot philosophy!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken Lasagna Soup
We all have those nights where the pantry is looking a little sparse, right? That’s why I always try to give you options, because a great recipe shouldn’t fall apart if you are missing one specific thing. This Chicken Lasagna Soup is surprisingly flexible, which is great when you’re trying to stick to those grocery lists and keep things budget-friendly!
The star here is that shredded chicken, but don’t panic if you’re out. You can easily swap that out for ground turkey or even ground Italian sausage if you want a little more spice mixed right into the broth. If you use sausage, you might want to dial back the Italian seasoning a bit. I actually have a fantastic recipe for avocado chicken salad if you happen to have some leftover shredded chicken that needs a completely different direction next day!
Now let’s talk about the cheesy topping—that’s your creamy lasagna texture driver. The recipe calls for ricotta or cottage cheese, but honestly, if you only have cream cheese in the fridge, you are good to go! Just let two ounces of cream cheese sit out for about 20 minutes so it softens up. Then, mash it slightly with a fork before you scoop it on top of your hot bowls. It melts beautifully and gives you that decadent, creamy mouthfeel that reminds you of layers.
For a deeper dive into full lasagna recipes, sometimes I look at the pros, like this great example of a full chicken lasagna for inspiration, but for a quick Tuesday night, this soup is where it’s at!
Serving Suggestions for This Comforting Chicken Lasagna Soup
Since this soup is so satisfying and hearty on its own—hello, 40 grams of protein!—you don’t need a massive spread to go along with it. When I’m aiming for true Lazy Dinners mode, I keep the side ridiculously simple. A little something green balances out the richness perfectly.
I usually grab a loaf of good, crusty Italian bread for dipping. You need something sturdy to scoop up that last bit of rich tomato broth and maybe a bit of the melted cheese topping. If you want a fresher option, a simple side salad is fantastic. A mix of crisp lettuce, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette cuts right through the comfort factor. Try my cucumber tomato salad—it takes five minutes and adds the perfect crunch!
Storage and Reheating Chicken Lasagna Soup
One of the greatest things about this Chicken Lasagna Soup is that it’s fantastic for making ahead! Seriously, this helps chip away at the stress of those busy days when you need Healthy Dinner Ideas For Family ready to go. Because it’s so thick and hearty, it feels like a true leftover meal rather than just soggy soup.
When it comes to storage, you have to be mindful of those noodles. They continue to soak up liquid even after you turn the heat off. I always let the soup cool down completely on the counter first—don’t put a giant steaming pot directly into the fridge, please!
Once cooled, transfer the soup into airtight containers. You can easily keep this delicious soup in the refrigerator for up to four days, which is perfect for meal prepping lunches or quick dinners later in the week. If you happen to be a fan of slow cooking, this soup is sort of like my stuffed pepper soup in that it reheats well, but you have to handle the noodles!
The Key to Reheating Noodles Perfectly
Here is my biggest secret for reheating Chicken Lasagna Soup so you don’t end up with a bowl of soft mush: Never reheat the soup with all the noodles already in it! I know, it’s an extra step, but it makes all the difference between a great leftover and a disappointing sludge.
When you scoop out your portion, only take the broth, chicken, and vegetables. Place that smaller portion into a small saucepan. Then, add a splash of extra chicken broth or even just a little water—just enough to thin the soup back to your liking. Heat it gently on the stove over medium-low heat until it’s steaming hot.
Adding Fresh Noodles for Texture
While your soup is warming up on the stove, boil a few extra lasagna noodles separately until they are just shy of done—again, maybe 90% cooked. Drain those fresh noodles and add them directly into your heated soup bowl. This shock of heat from the hot broth will finish cooking them in the bowl, giving you that perfect, bouncy texture that reminds you of real lasagna!
Freezing Instructions
If you want to store this even longer, freezing works, but you have to freeze it *without* the noodles. Dairy and noodles don’t always freeze well together anyway. So, freeze the base (broth, chicken, sauce) in freezer-safe bags or containers. When you are ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge, reheat the base, and then follow the fresh noodle addition trick above!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Lasagna Soup
I get so many questions every time this recipe goes live, and honestly, most of them boil down to speed and storage—which makes sense when you’re looking for those perfect Quick Dinner Ideas! Here are the things I hear most often about making this soup work for your busy life, whether you’re planning ahead or just need a fast emergency meal. For more speedy ideas, check out my chicken taco bowl!
Can I make this Chicken Lasagna Soup ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! But you need to treat the noodles like guests you don’t want to overstay their welcome. Remember what I said about them absorbing liquid? If you make the entire pot and let it sit in the fridge overnight, the noodles will swell up and get totally mushy. For best results, cook everything right up to adding the noodles and chicken. Keep the broth base and the shredded chicken separate from the dry noodles. When you’re ready to eat, boil the noodles separately, heat the broth, and combine everything right before serving. That keeps it tasting fresh!
How can I boost the protein content further?
If you’re serious about making this a true High-Protein Soup, I have a couple of easy tricks! First, make sure the chicken you add is lean breast meat; dark meat has great flavor, but breast is pure protein punch. Second, when you add that final dollop of cheese, skip the cottage cheese (which is great, but slightly lower protein) and use full-fat ricotta cheese. Ricotta is packed with goodness and adds incredible creaminess. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even swap out half the chicken broth for unflavored, high-protein bone broth!
Is this recipe suitable for a slow cooker?
Oh, you are speaking my language when you mention the slow cooker—that’s the ultimate setup for true Lazy Dinners! The answer is yes, but with a big asterisk. You can absolutely put your onions, garlic, seasoning, tomatoes, and broth right into the slow cooker and let that simmer all day. However, do NOT add the lasagna noodles or the cooked chicken until the very end. If the noodles cook in the slow cooker for hours, they turn into sad, flavorless paste. Cook the noodles separately on the stovetop right before serving, then stir them and the hot chicken into the slow-cooker base!
Sharing Your Delicious Chicken Lasagna Soup
I really hope this hearty bowl of goodness becomes a staple on your table! When you make this Chicken Lasagna Soup, I’d absolutely love to hear what you thought. Did your kids devour it? Did you try using ground turkey instead? Pop down below and leave me a rating and a comment—it truly helps other busy cooks find their next favorite meal!
If you shared a picture of your layers on Instagram, tag me! You can always get in touch directly through my contact page if you have any other specific questions floating around!
Chicken Lasagna Soup
Equipment
- large pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup ricotta or cottage cheese for topping
Instructions
- Sauté the onion in a large pot until it becomes soft.
- Add the garlic and cook briefly.
- Stir in the tomatoes, broth, seasoning, and broken noodles.
- Simmer the mixture until the noodles are tender.
- Add the shredded chicken and heat it through.
- Serve the soup with a spoonful of ricotta or cottage cheese placed on top of each bowl.