Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Roast the garlic
- Wrap the garlic head in foil, drizzle with oil, and roast at 400F for 40 min until the cloves are soft. Let cool slightly, then squeeze the cloves out and mash into a paste with a thick, spreadable texture.
Build the creamy soup
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté the diced onion for 4 minutes until softened and glossy. Add the roasted garlic paste and cook 1 minute, stirring until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook 1-2 minutes until the mixture looks slightly dry and paste-like. Keep stirring so it doesn’t brown.
- Gradually add the chicken broth and heavy cream while stirring, then mix in Italian seasoning, nutmeg, and white pepper. Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Bring the soup to a simmer and add the broken lasagna noodles. Stir to keep noodles separated, then cook 10-12 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and spinach, then cook 2 minutes until the spinach wilts. The soup should look thick and creamy with flecks of greens.
- Stir in the parmesan and season with salt to taste. Continue stirring until melted and the broth turns silky.
Make the ricotta swirl and serve
- Mix the ricotta swirl ingredients—ricotta, 2 tablespoons parmesan, and fresh basil—until smooth and spoonable. Adjust thickness if needed by stirring more basil for aroma.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and add a spoonful of the ricotta swirl on top. Serve immediately so the swirl remains distinct against the hot cream broth.
Notes
Pro tip: when adding broth/cream, pour gradually and whisk constantly so the flour forms a silky base instead of clumps. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if thickened. Freezing is not recommended for the creamiest texture. Dietary swap: use half-and-half or a lactose-free cream substitute for a lighter or lactose-free version while keeping the same method.
