Healthy Chicken Lasagna Soup: A Lighter, Heartier Italian Favorite
Discover a delicious and easy “skinny” soup recipe, packed with lean minced chicken, abundant fresh vegetables, and creamy mozzarella and ricotta. It’s the perfect satisfying meal for lunch or dinner!
Lasagna, with its glorious layers of pasta, rich sauces, and copious cheese, is undeniably one of Italy’s most beloved comfort foods. However, it’s not typically known for being a light or “skinny” dish, often featuring a substantial amount of pasta dough that contributes a high carbohydrate count. But what if you could enjoy all the incredible flavors of lasagna in a much healthier, more balanced format? Our **healthy chicken lasagna soup** is designed to do exactly that. It delivers the authentic, hearty taste you crave from lasagna, but with less pasta and an abundance of wholesome ingredients, making it a truly nourishing and delicious meal.
This soup is much more than just a lightened-up version; it’s a deeply flavorful and satisfying culinary experience. It builds upon a robust foundation, featuring a pure homemade marinara or bolognese sauce (which we absolutely recommend for superior taste and ingredient control), lean minced chicken, and just enough broken lasagna sheets to give it that quintessential lasagna texture without overdoing the carbs. A thoughtful swirl of mozzarella and creamy ricotta cheese is added at the end, infusing the soup with a luxurious, velvety richness. Incredibly filling and packed with good things, this healthy lasagna soup stands alone as a complete meal, perfect for a cozy dinner or a substantial, energizing lunch.
Why This Healthy Lasagna Soup Will Become Your New Go-To Recipe
There are numerous compelling reasons why this healthy lasagna soup deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for a meal that is both nutritious and incredibly flavorful, without the guilt associated with traditional indulgent dishes.
- **Superior Flavor with Homemade Sauces:** The cornerstone of any authentic Italian dish is its sauce. Opting for a homemade marinara or bolognese sauce provides unparalleled depth of flavor and allows you complete control over ingredients. You can avoid added sugars, excessive sodium, and artificial preservatives often found in store-bought alternatives. For this particular recipe, you’ll adapt a classic bolognese by substituting minced beef with lean minced chicken, creating a lighter yet equally satisfying and savory base.
- **The Richness of Homemade Chicken Stock:** Elevate the taste of your soup to gourmet levels by incorporating homemade chicken stock. Its rich, nuanced flavor and nutritional benefits far surpass those of pre-packaged stocks. We’ve shared an excellent homemade chicken stock recipe here, but it’s simpler than you might imagine. A common practice is to use leftover chicken bones and meat after roasting a whole chicken. Simply place them in a large soup pot, add aromatic vegetables like carrots, leeks, and celery, along with your favorite herbs and about 3 liters of water. Let it simmer gently for two hours. Once strained, you’ll have a beautifully clear, flavorful stock ready for immediate use, or you can cool it rapidly and freeze it in airtight containers for up to three months, ensuring you always have a premium base for your soups.
- **A Balanced and Satisfying Meal:** This soup strikes a perfect balance between comfort food and healthy eating. The generous portions of vegetables combined with lean protein from the chicken ensure a nutrient-dense meal that keeps you feeling full and energized. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite Italian flavors without feeling heavy or sluggish afterward.
- **Effortless Preparation for Busy Lifestyles:** Despite its complex taste, this healthy lasagna soup is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. It’s an excellent option for weeknight dinners when time is short but you still want a hearty, homemade meal on the table.
Customizing Your Healthy Lasagna Soup: Substitutions and Variations
One of the many charms of this healthy lasagna soup is its remarkable adaptability. Whether you have specific dietary requirements or simply enjoy experimenting with different flavors, this recipe offers plenty of room for personalization.
- **Gluten-Free Options with Chickpea Pasta:** For those following a gluten-free diet, swapping traditional lasagna sheets for those made from chickpeas is an excellent and delicious alternative. Chickpea pasta offers a delightful texture and a surprisingly similar flavor profile, making your soup accessible to everyone. When purchasing store-bought marinara sauce or minced chicken, always verify that they are certified gluten-free, as gluten can sometimes be present in processed ingredients. Other gluten-free pasta varieties, such as those made from brown rice or lentils, can also be broken into pieces and used.
- **Exploring Protein Alternatives and Vegetarian Choices:**
- **Richer Meat Options:** While minced chicken is chosen for its leanness, you can certainly substitute it with minced beef, or a flavorful blend of half minced beef and half minced pork for a more traditional, robust taste.
- **Wholesome Vegetarian Versions:** To create a vegetarian lasagna soup, simply omit the chicken and incorporate sautéed slices of mushrooms (such as cremini or portobello) for a satisfying, meaty texture and earthy depth. Lentils, plant-based mince, or an assortment of other hearty vegetables like diced zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant can also be added to enhance the body and nutritional value of the soup.
- **Boosting Your Veggie Intake:** Feel free to load up your soup with even more vegetables! Adding fresh spinach, chopped kale, finely diced carrots, or colorful bell peppers will significantly increase the nutritional content and introduce more vibrant textures and flavors. These can typically be added during the last 10-15 minutes of the simmering process.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for Your Soup
To truly complete your healthy lasagna soup experience, consider these delightful accompaniments:
- **Crispy Bruschetta:** A classic bruschetta, topped with diced ripe tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and fresh basil, offers a wonderful textural contrast and bright, fresh flavors that perfectly complement the warm, creamy soup.
- **Artisan Bread:** A warm, crusty loaf of Italian bread or slices of garlic bread are ideal for dipping into the savory broth, ensuring no delicious drop goes to waste.
- **Light Side Salad:** A simple green salad, dressed with a light vinaigrette, provides a refreshing element that helps balance the richness of the soup, making for a well-rounded meal.
Smart Storage and Efficient Meal Prep Tips
This healthy lasagna soup is not only delicious but also fantastic for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy homemade goodness even on your busiest days. Here’s how to store it effectively:
- **Refrigeration for Short-Term Storage:** Once your soup has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and delicious for up to 1 day, making it an excellent option for a quick and easy lunch the following day.
- **Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment:** If you plan to freeze portions of the soup for future meals, there’s a crucial tip to ensure optimal texture: **do not add the lasagna sheets until you are ready to reheat and serve the soup.** Cooked lasagna sheets tend to become mushy and lose their desirable texture after being frozen and thawed. Instead, prepare the soup base (everything except the pasta), allow it to cool quickly, and then store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. This soup base can be stored in the freezer for a maximum of 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the soup base, reheat it gently on the stovetop, then break in fresh lasagna sheets and cook them for about 15 minutes directly in the simmering soup until they are al dente. This method guarantees that every bowl of thawed soup is as fresh and satisfying as the first.
Discover More Delicious Soup Recipes from Our Collection
If you’ve enjoyed the comforting and healthy flavors of this lasagna soup, we invite you to explore more delightful soup creations from our kitchen. Each recipe offers a unique blend of taste and ease, perfect for any occasion:
- Easy Onion Soup: A surprisingly simple yet deeply flavorful soup, requiring just 6 ingredients to create a classic, comforting bowl.
- Sweet Tomato Soup: Experience a unique and wonderfully sweet rendition of tomato soup, reminiscent of the distinct flavor profiles found in Dutch Chinese restaurants.
- Skinny Spinach Soup: A light, vibrant, and incredibly refreshing soup that offers a healthy boost, perfect for a quick, nutritious meal.
- Arugula Spinach Soup: A robustly green and nourishing soup, combining the peppery notes of arugula with the mildness of spinach for a truly healthy and invigorating dish.
It’s a good taste! Enjoy your culinary journey and savor every wholesome bite!
Healthy Chicken Lasagna Soup Recipe Card
Ready to make this incredible healthy chicken lasagna soup? Below, you’ll find the complete recipe card, detailing all the ingredients you’ll need and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Get your apron on and prepare to create a flavorful and satisfying meal!
Did you create this amazing healthy Lasagna soup? We would absolutely love to see your culinary masterpiece! Share your photos and tag #byandreajanssen on Instagram or Twitter . It brings us so much joy when you bring one of our recipes to life, and we eagerly look forward to discovering your delicious results. Feel free to also share your experiences and photos on our Facebook channel, or simply pin this recipe on Pinterest for easy access next time you’re craving something wholesome and delicious. Happy cooking, and we hope to see you and your creations very soon!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Lasagna soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot , minced fine
- 2 cloves garlic , sliced fine
- 300 grams minced chicken
- 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
- 750 ml chicken stock
- 750 ml water
- 500 ml marinara sauce, bolognaise sauce vegetarian
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 sheets lasagna sheets
Topping
- 125 grams mozzarella, sliced in little cubes
- 75 grams ricotta , cheese
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
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Add the sliced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
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Add the minced chicken to the pan. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes.
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Stir in the Italian herbs, chicken stock, water, and marinara/bolognese sauce. Give it a good stir to combine all ingredients, then place the bay leaf on top.
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Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully.
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Break the lasagna sheets into large, bite-sized pieces and add them directly to the simmering soup. Cook for another 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and al dente. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
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While the pasta cooks, in a small bowl, gently mix the cubed mozzarella and ricotta cheeses together.
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To serve, spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the bottom of each soup bowl.
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Ladle the hot lasagna soup over the cheese mixture, allowing it to melt slightly and create a creamy swirl. Serve immediately and enjoy every comforting spoonful!
Nutrition
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Essential Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
To successfully prepare this delightful healthy chicken lasagna soup, having the right kitchen utensils makes all the difference. Below is a list of the key items I use. Each link will guide you to a page with a brief explanation of the tool, and you’ll also find convenient options to purchase directly if you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen or acquire new equipment.
- A good pair of knives: High-quality knives are indispensable for efficient and safe chopping of all your vegetables and chicken.
- Cutting board: A sturdy and reliable cutting board is fundamental for all your preparation tasks, ensuring a stable surface for slicing and dicing.
- Brushes, spatulas and other cooking utensils: These are crucial for sautéing ingredients, stirring the soup, and ultimately serving your masterpiece with ease.
- Soup / hotchpot pan: A large, deep pot is ideal for simmering this generous soup, allowing all the flavors to meld perfectly and accommodating a family-sized portion.