Hearty & Healthy: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup Recipe for Busy Weeknights
Say goodbye to complicated weeknight meals and hello to pure comfort in a bowl! Our Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup takes everything you love about classic Italian lasagna and transforms it into an incredibly flavorful, easy-to-make soup. Featuring lean ground turkey, nutrient-rich kale, and creamy fresh ricotta, sharp Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese, this dish brings an authentic taste of Italy right to your dinner table. Forget the stress of layering; embrace the simplicity of a hearty, savory Italian meal that practically cooks itself, perfect for those busy fall and winter evenings.
The Inspiration: A Culinary Journey to Italy
My passion for authentic Italian cuisine truly blossomed during and after my sister’s college study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. Though I didn’t get the chance to visit her while she was there, her vivid descriptions of the food captivated me. She often spoke of the unparalleled flavors, the pure quality of the ingredients, and the incredible freshness that was simply one-of-a-kind.
I remember feeling a pang of jealousy when she recounted her daily routine: walking to the local market, selecting fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and crusty breads, all for that day’s meal. It was a stark contrast to the grocery shopping habits I knew, emphasizing the Italian appreciation for seasonal, local ingredients and a slower pace of life centered around food. This deep connection to fresh, simple ingredients, she explained, was the secret to Italian culinary excellence.
Shortly after her return, my husband Mike and I decided it was time to experience Italy for ourselves, crossing it off our bucket list. We embarked on an unforgettable journey, exploring the historic streets of Rome, the artistic wonders of Florence, and the breathtaking coastal villages of Cinque Terre and Santa Margherita. While the stunning scenery, the warm people, and the charming boutiques were all absolutely worth the trip, it was undeniably the food that stole my heart and truly spoiled my palate. Every meal was an experience, every ingredient told a story of tradition and quality.
Deconstructing Lasagna for the Modern Kitchen
Inspired by these authentic Italian experiences and the desire to bring those rich flavors into our everyday lives, this Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup was born. It takes your beloved classic lasagna and cleverly deconstructs it into a comforting, lightened-up soup. We achieve this lighter profile by swapping traditional ground beef for lean ground turkey and incorporating vibrant, healthy kale. The soup is then lovingly finished with authentic GALBANI® MOZZARELLA AND RICOTTA CHEESE and a sprinkle of fresh basil, capturing the essence of lasagna without the elaborate layering.
There’s truly nothing quite like a hearty Italian meal to warm your soul and comfort you, especially on a chilly fall or winter day. While I adore a classic lasagna, I often find it a bit too time-consuming and complex to prepare on busy weeknights, especially when juggling commitments like soccer practice or swimming lessons.
If you’re a fellow lasagna enthusiast who often wishes for a quicker, less demanding way to enjoy its flavors, then today’s Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup is absolutely for you. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, ensuring you can still enjoy a delicious, homemade Italian dinner even when your schedule is packed.
The Magic of the Slow Cooker: Effortless Flavor
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the power of the slow cooker. This marvelous appliance allows the soup to simmer gently all day, marrying all the rich flavors together and creating a deeply satisfying, robust base. The low and slow cooking process ensures that every herb, every tomato, and every piece of turkey contributes to a truly rich and complex broth that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.
And the best part? The final steps are quick and easy. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, you simply add the broken lasagna noodles and the fresh kale to the slow cooker. A quick stir, and then you let it finish cooking, allowing the noodles to become perfectly tender and the kale to wilt into the savory broth. This hands-off approach makes it an ideal meal for those days when you want a homemade dinner but don’t have the time to stand over the stove.
When it’s time to eat, ladle this glorious lasagna soup into bowls. For that signature lasagna feel, top each serving with a generous dollop of creamy Galbani® Ricotta cheese, a slice or two of fresh Galbani® Mozzarella cheese for that irresistible melt, and a vibrant sprinkle of freshly chopped basil leaves. The combination of warm, hearty soup with cool, fresh cheese and herbs is simply divine.
The Secret to Authentic Italian Flavor: Quality Ingredients
When I recreate Italian dishes, I always strive to use the most authentic and high-quality ingredients available. My travels through Italy taught me firsthand that the essence of Italian cooking lies in the quality and authenticity of its components. Simple, fresh ingredients are elevated to extraordinary meals.
For this Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup, I specifically chose Galbani’s Fresh Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese. You can typically find their fresh mozzarella in the dairy or specialty cheese sections of your grocery store, while the ricotta is usually located in the main dairy aisle. Galbani is a name you can trust – they are Italy’s #1 cheese brand, boasting a rich Italian history that spans over 130 years, originating in Italy in 1882. Using a brand with such a deep heritage ensures that you’re getting ingredients straight from a source that understands and embodies true Italian tradition.
I recently had the pleasure of serving this lasagna soup to my sister, and she gave it a resounding “thumbs up.” It’s always so rewarding to take a beloved dish and transform it into something new and exciting, especially when it receives such high praise. Just as I learned from my time in Italy, gathering around the table to create cherished memories and share delicious food with family and friends is truly what life is all about.
This soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience – a convenient, comforting, and incredibly flavorful journey to Italy without leaving your kitchen. So, to all you lasagna lovers out there, this deconstructed delight is designed especially for you! Enjoy the rich, savory taste and the ease of preparation that this Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup brings to your table.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 dollop Ricotta cheese , per bowl of soup
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 2 cups sweet onion, chopped {about 1/2 of a large onion}
- 3 garlic , minced
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
- 30 oz. tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups kale, ribs removed, chopped
- 6 oz. lasagna noodles, broken
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese
- basil leaves, chopped
- Italian parsley, chopped
Instructions
-
In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5 minutes. Add in the onion and garlic and continue to sauté until the turkey is browned and cooked through.
-
In a 5 qt. slow cooker add the turkey, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaves and cook for 4 1/2 hours.
-
With 30 minutes left add the broken lasagna noodles and kale and stir. Let the soup finish cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
-
When you are ready to serve the soup put a large dollop of Galbani Ricotta cheese and 1-2 slices of Galbani Mozzarella cheese on the soup along with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Taste of Home. The opinions and text are all mine.