Description
A comforting and creamy Slow Cooker White Lasagna Soup featuring smoky turkey bacon, plant-based cheeses, fresh herbs, and broken pasta sheets. This easy-to-make soup offers all the rich flavors of classic lasagna in a warm, hearty bowl perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends with a plant-based twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Aromatics and Base
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh basil)
Proteins and Cheese
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced
- 1 cup ricotta-style plant-based cheese
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese (mozzarella-style recommended)
Vegetables and Pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups broken pasta sheets (gluten-free if preferred)
Optional Flavor Enhancers
- Pinch of natural gelling agent (e.g., pectin, agar) for thickness, optional
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Sauté Aromatics: Start by chopping the shallots and garlic finely. In a medium pan, lightly sauté them with olive oil until fragrant and translucent. This step unlocks wonderful flavor that forms the foundation of your soup.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Dice the smoked turkey bacon and add it to the pan, cooking until slightly crisp but tender. This smoky element infuses the soup with a comforting depth everyone will love.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed aromatics and turkey bacon into the slow cooker. Add the chicken or vegetable broth, ricotta-style plant-based cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, fresh spinach, oregano, basil (natural), and broken pasta sheets. Stir gently to combine all ingredients without breaking the pasta further.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Set your slow cooker to low and let the soup cook for about 4 to 6 hours. This slow process allows the pasta to soak up all the herbal and cheesy flavors, swelling to just the right texture while the broth thickens into a creamy delight thanks to the plant-based cheese and natural gelling agent.
- Final Touches and Serve: Before serving, stir in extra plant-based cheese to melt on top. Taste for seasoning and add salt or pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished to your liking.
Notes
- Use fresh basil or oregano at the end to brighten the dish.
- Check the soup about an hour before done to prevent mushy pasta.
- Toast pasta sheets in a dry pan briefly before adding for nuttier flavor.
- Stir in more ricotta-style plant-based cheese before serving for extra creaminess.
- Add a small amount of natural gelling agent if you prefer a heartier, stew-like consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: slow cooker soup, white lasagna soup, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipe
