diff --git a/core/config/schema/core.data_types.schema.yml b/core/config/schema/core.data_types.schema.yml
index 0fbeeed..aee1d31 100644
--- a/core/config/schema/core.data_types.schema.yml
+++ b/core/config/schema/core.data_types.schema.yml
@@ -587,6 +587,9 @@ field.field_settings.entity_reference:
   type: mapping
   label: 'Entity reference field settings'
   mapping:
+    serialize_embedded_entities:
+      type: boolean
+      label: 'Serialize entity references together with the parent entity'
     handler:
       type: string
       label: 'Reference method'
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/ContentEntityBase.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/ContentEntityBase.php
index e242544..5013086 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/ContentEntityBase.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/ContentEntityBase.php
@@ -156,6 +156,17 @@
   protected $loadedRevisionId;
 
   /**
+   * Whether to serialize the complete entity structure.
+   *
+   * Depending on the field setting "serialize_embedded_entities" of entity
+   * reference fields a deeply serialized entity might contain the referenced
+   * entities.
+   *
+   * @var bool
+   */
+  protected $deepSerialization = FALSE;
+
+  /**
    * {@inheritdoc}
    */
   public function __construct(array $values, $entity_type, $bundle = FALSE, $translations = array()) {
@@ -440,7 +451,7 @@ public function __sleep() {
     // Get the values of instantiated field objects, only serialize the values.
     foreach ($this->fields as $name => $fields) {
       foreach ($fields as $langcode => $field) {
-        $this->values[$name][$langcode] = $field->getValue();
+        $this->values[$name][$langcode] = $field->getSerializationValue($this->deepSerialization);
       }
     }
     $this->fields = array();
@@ -448,12 +459,38 @@ public function __sleep() {
     $this->languages = NULL;
     $this->clearTranslationCache();
 
+    // As during the serialization process referenced entities might also have
+    // the "deepSerialization" flag set the only place of unsetting it remains
+    // in the sleep method right after the entity is prepared for the
+    // serialization and before executing it.
+    // @see \Drupal\Core\Field\EntityReferenceFieldItemList::getSerializationValue().
+    $this->deepSerialization = FALSE;
+
     return parent::__sleep();
   }
 
   /**
    * {@inheritdoc}
    */
+  public function deepSerialize() {
+    // When running a deep serialization the flag "deepSerialization" has to be
+    // set in order to serialize referenced entities as well, which are
+    // referenced by field having the setting "serialize_embedded_entities" set
+    // to TRUE.
+    $this->deepSerialization = TRUE;
+    return serialize($this);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
+  public function setDeepSerialization() {
+    $this->deepSerialization = TRUE;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
   public function id() {
     return $this->getEntityKey('id');
   }
@@ -823,6 +860,7 @@ protected function initializeTranslation($langcode) {
     $translation->enforceIsNew = &$this->enforceIsNew;
     $translation->newRevision = &$this->newRevision;
     $translation->entityKeys = &$this->entityKeys;
+    $translation->deepSerialization = &$this->deepSerialization;
     $translation->translatableEntityKeys = &$this->translatableEntityKeys;
     $translation->translationInitialize = FALSE;
     $translation->typedData = NULL;
@@ -1100,6 +1138,11 @@ public function __clone() {
       // overwriting the original reference with one pointing to a copy of it.
       $original_revision_id = $this->loadedRevisionId;
       $this->loadedRevisionId = &$original_revision_id;
+
+      // Ensure the deepSerialization property is actually cloned by
+      // overwriting the original reference with one pointing to a copy of it.
+      $deepSerialization = $this->deepSerialization;
+      $this->deepSerialization = &$deepSerialization;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/FieldableEntityInterface.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/FieldableEntityInterface.php
index d21a2a8..3f98226 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/FieldableEntityInterface.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Entity/FieldableEntityInterface.php
@@ -236,4 +236,23 @@ public function isValidationRequired();
    */
   public function setValidationRequired($required);
 
+  /**
+   * Returns a deeply serialized entity.
+   *
+   * @return string
+   *   The deeply serialized entity.
+   */
+  public function deepSerialize();
+
+  /**
+   * Flags the entity for deep serialization.
+   *
+   * After calling this method and serializing the entity e.g.
+   * "serialize($entity);" a deep serialization will be performed and the flag
+   * will be automatically reset.
+   *
+   * @return $this
+   */
+  public function setDeepSerialization();
+
 }
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceFieldItemList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceFieldItemList.php
index d21ac96..d9860f1 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceFieldItemList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceFieldItemList.php
@@ -13,6 +13,26 @@ class EntityReferenceFieldItemList extends FieldItemList implements EntityRefere
   /**
    * {@inheritdoc}
    */
+  public function getSerializationValue($deep_serialization) {
+    if ($deep_serialization) {
+      $serialize_embedded_entities = $this->getFieldDefinition()->getSetting('serialize_embedded_entities');
+      $values = $this->getValue($serialize_embedded_entities);
+      foreach ($values as $delta => $item_values) {
+        if (isset($values[$delta]['entity'])) {
+          $values[$delta]['entity']->setDeepSerialization();
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    else {
+      $values = parent::getSerializationValue($deep_serialization);
+    }
+
+    return $values;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
   public function getConstraints() {
     $constraints = parent::getConstraints();
     $constraint_manager = $this->getTypedDataManager()->getValidationConstraintManager();
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceInlineWidgetBase.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceInlineWidgetBase.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..251129c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/EntityReferenceInlineWidgetBase.php
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Drupal\Core\Field;
+
+/**
+ * Base class for 'Entity Reference Inline Widget' plugin implementations.
+ *
+ * @ingroup field_widget
+ */
+abstract class EntityReferenceInlineWidgetBase extends WidgetBase {
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
+  public static function isApplicable(FieldDefinitionInterface $field_definition) {
+    return (bool) $field_definition->getSetting('serialize_embedded_entities');
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemList.php
index 97dd493..ea530d1 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemList.php
@@ -121,6 +121,13 @@ public function setValue($values, $notify = TRUE) {
   /**
    * {@inheritdoc}
    */
+  public function getSerializationValue($deep_serialization) {
+    return $this->getValue();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
   public function __get($property_name) {
     // For empty fields, $entity->field->property is NULL.
     if ($item = $this->first()) {
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemListInterface.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemListInterface.php
index 4e77202..dfeeede 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemListInterface.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/FieldItemListInterface.php
@@ -271,4 +271,14 @@ public static function processDefaultValue($default_value, FieldableEntityInterf
    */
   public function equals(FieldItemListInterface $list_to_compare);
 
+  /**
+   * Gets the data value prepared for serialization.
+   *
+   * @param bool $deep_serialization
+   *   Whether a deep serialization is running.
+   *
+   * @return mixed
+   */
+  public function getSerializationValue($deep_serialization);
+
 }
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
index 3babf42..8832c2c 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ public static function defaultStorageSettings() {
    */
   public static function defaultFieldSettings() {
     return array(
+      'serialize_embedded_entities' => FALSE,
       'handler' => 'default',
       'handler_settings' => array(),
     ) + parent::defaultFieldSettings();
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ public function setValue($values, $notify = TRUE) {
         // If the entity has been saved and we're trying to set both the
         // target_id and the entity values with a non-null target ID, then the
         // value for target_id should match the ID of the entity value.
-        if (!$this->entity->isNew() && $values['target_id'] !== NULL && ($entity_id !== $values['target_id'])) {
+        if (!$this->entity->isNew() && $values['target_id'] !== NULL && ($entity_id != $values['target_id'])) {
           throw new \InvalidArgumentException('The target id and entity passed to the entity reference item do not match.');
         }
       }
@@ -205,12 +206,12 @@ public function setValue($values, $notify = TRUE) {
   /**
    * {@inheritdoc}
    */
-  public function getValue() {
+  public function getValue($include_computed = FALSE) {
     $values = parent::getValue();
 
     // If there is an unsaved entity, return it as part of the field item values
     // to ensure idempotency of getValue() / setValue().
-    if ($this->hasNewEntity()) {
+    if ($include_computed || $this->hasNewEntity()) {
       $values['entity'] = $this->entity;
     }
     return $values;
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.install b/core/modules/field/field.install
index ecd2b31..0591a17 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.install
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.install
@@ -104,3 +104,40 @@ function field_update_8003() {
     }
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * @addtogroup updates-8.3.x
+ * @{
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Populate the new 'serialize_embedded_entities' setting for entity reference
+ * fields.
+ */
+function field_update_8300() {
+  $config_factory = \Drupal::configFactory();
+  /** @var \Drupal\Core\Field\FieldTypePluginManager $field_type_manager */
+  $field_type_manager = \Drupal::service('plugin.manager.field.field_type');
+
+  // Iterate over all fields.
+  foreach ($config_factory->listAll('field.field.') as $field_id) {
+    $field_config = $config_factory->getEditable($field_id);
+    $field_type = $field_config->get('field_type');
+    $class = $field_type_manager->getPluginClass($field_type);
+
+    // Deal only with entity reference fields and descendants.
+    if ($class == EntityReferenceItem::class || is_subclass_of($class, EntityReferenceItem::class)) {
+      $settings = $field_config->get('settings');
+
+      if (!isset($settings['serialize_embedded_entities'])) {
+        $settings['serialize_embedded_entities'] = FALSE;
+      }
+
+      $field_config->set('settings', $settings)->save(TRUE);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * @} End of "addtogroup updates-8.3.x".
+ */
diff --git a/core/modules/field/tests/src/Kernel/Migrate/d6/MigrateFieldInstanceTest.php b/core/modules/field/tests/src/Kernel/Migrate/d6/MigrateFieldInstanceTest.php
index b3fac3f..bbf0e89 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/tests/src/Kernel/Migrate/d6/MigrateFieldInstanceTest.php
+++ b/core/modules/field/tests/src/Kernel/Migrate/d6/MigrateFieldInstanceTest.php
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ public function testFieldInstanceMigration() {
       'uri_scheme' => 'public',
       'handler' => 'default:file',
       'handler_settings' => array(),
+      'serialize_embedded_entities' => FALSE,
     );
     $field_settings = $field->getSettings();
     ksort($expected);
diff --git a/core/modules/file/config/schema/file.schema.yml b/core/modules/file/config/schema/file.schema.yml
index b9f8918..0b49c88 100644
--- a/core/modules/file/config/schema/file.schema.yml
+++ b/core/modules/file/config/schema/file.schema.yml
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ field.value.file:
 base_file_field_field_settings:
   type: mapping
   mapping:
+    serialize_embedded_entities:
+      type: boolean
+      label: 'Serialize entity references together with the parent entity'
     handler:
       type: string
       label: 'Reference method'
diff --git a/core/modules/forum/config/optional/field.field.node.forum.taxonomy_forums.yml b/core/modules/forum/config/optional/field.field.node.forum.taxonomy_forums.yml
index f2a30f2..150d28f 100644
--- a/core/modules/forum/config/optional/field.field.node.forum.taxonomy_forums.yml
+++ b/core/modules/forum/config/optional/field.field.node.forum.taxonomy_forums.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ translatable: true
 default_value: {  }
 default_value_callback: ''
 settings:
+  serialize_embedded_entities: false
   handler: 'default:taxonomy_term'
   handler_settings:
     target_bundles:
diff --git a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_image.yml b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_image.yml
index b4b1c14..8b3eb15 100644
--- a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_image.yml
+++ b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_image.yml
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ settings:
     title: ''
     width: null
     height: null
+  serialize_embedded_entities: false
   handler: 'default:file'
   handler_settings: {  }
 field_type: image
diff --git a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_tags.yml b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_tags.yml
index 1b9c4cc..fee79a8 100644
--- a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_tags.yml
+++ b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.node.article.field_tags.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ translatable: true
 default_value: {  }
 default_value_callback: ''
 settings:
+  serialize_embedded_entities: false
   handler: 'default:taxonomy_term'
   handler_settings:
     target_bundles:
diff --git a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.user.user.user_picture.yml b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.user.user.user_picture.yml
index b2e61f6..df20e43 100644
--- a/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.user.user.user_picture.yml
+++ b/core/profiles/standard/config/install/field.field.user.user.user_picture.yml
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ settings:
     height: null
   alt_field_required: false
   title_field_required: false
+  serialize_embedded_entities: false
   handler: 'default:file'
   handler_settings: {  }
 field_type: image
diff --git a/core/tests/Drupal/KernelTests/Core/Entity/ContentEntitySerializationTest.php b/core/tests/Drupal/KernelTests/Core/Entity/ContentEntitySerializationTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b000326
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/tests/Drupal/KernelTests/Core/Entity/ContentEntitySerializationTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Drupal\KernelTests\Core\Entity;
+
+use Drupal\field\Entity\FieldConfig;
+use Drupal\field\Entity\FieldStorageConfig;
+
+/**
+ * Tests the serialization of content entities.
+ *
+ * @group Entity
+ */
+class ContentEntitySerializationTest extends EntityKernelTestBase {
+
+  /**
+   * Modules to enable.
+   *
+   * @var array
+   */
+  public static $modules = ['user', 'system', 'field', 'entity_test'];
+
+  /**
+   * The entity type id.
+   *
+   * @var string
+   */
+  protected $entityTypeId = 'entity_test_mul';
+
+  /**
+   * The EntityTestMul entity type storage.
+   *
+   * @var \Drupal\Core\Entity\ContentEntityStorageInterface
+   */
+  protected $entityStorage;
+
+  /**
+   * The entity reference field name.
+   *
+   * @var string
+   */
+  protected $entityReferenceFieldName = 'field_test_entity_reference';
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
+  protected function setUp() {
+    parent::setUp();
+    $this->installEntitySchema($this->entityTypeId);
+    $this->entityStorage = $this->entityManager->getStorage($this->entityTypeId);
+
+    // Create the test entity reference field.
+    FieldStorageConfig::create([
+      'field_name' => $this->entityReferenceFieldName,
+      'entity_type' => $this->entityTypeId,
+      'type' => 'entity_reference',
+      'settings' => [
+        'target_type' => $this->entityTypeId,
+      ],
+    ])->save();
+    FieldConfig::create([
+      'entity_type' => $this->entityTypeId,
+      'field_name' => $this->entityReferenceFieldName,
+      'bundle' => $this->entityTypeId,
+      'translatable' => TRUE,
+    ])->save();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Tests regular and deep serialization.
+   */
+  public function testSerialization() {
+    $this->doTestSerialization(FALSE);
+    $this->doTestSerialization(TRUE);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Tests regular or deep serialization based on the parameter.
+   *
+   * @param bool $deep_serialization
+   *   Whether to test regular or deep serialization.
+   */
+  protected function doTestSerialization($deep_serialization) {
+    $field_name = $this->entityReferenceFieldName;
+    // Check that the 'target_bundle' setting contains the custom bundle.
+    $field_config = FieldConfig::loadByName($this->entityTypeId, $this->entityTypeId, $field_name);
+    $field_config->setSetting('serialize_embedded_entities', $deep_serialization)
+      ->save();
+
+    $user = $this->createUser();
+    $initial_entity_name = 'test test';
+
+    // Create the test entities.
+    /** @var \Drupal\Core\Entity\ContentEntityInterface $entity_level_zero */
+    $entity_level_zero = $this->entityStorage->create([
+      'name' => $initial_entity_name,
+      'user_id' => $user->id(),
+      'language' => 'en',
+    ]);
+    $entity_level_zero->save();
+    $entity_level_one = $entity_level_zero->createDuplicate();
+    $entity_level_one->save();
+    $entity_level_two = $entity_level_zero->createDuplicate();
+    $entity_level_two->save();
+
+    $entity_level_zero->$field_name->appendItem($entity_level_one);
+    $entity_level_zero->save();
+    $entity_level_one->$field_name->appendItem($entity_level_two);
+    $entity_level_one->save();
+
+    // Change the entity values in memory but do not persist them into the
+    // storage.
+    $entity_level_zero->name = 'entity level zero';
+    $entity_level_zero->$field_name->entity->name = 'entity level one';
+    $entity_level_zero->$field_name->entity->$field_name->entity->name = 'entity level two';
+
+    $serialized_entity = $deep_serialization ? $entity_level_zero->deepSerialize() : serialize($entity_level_zero);
+    $entity_level_zero = unserialize($serialized_entity);
+
+    // If regular serialization is tested then the changes on the referenced
+    // entities should be lost, but kept if deep serialization is tested.
+    $this->assertEquals('entity level zero', $entity_level_zero->label());
+    $this->assertEquals($deep_serialization ? 'entity level one' : $initial_entity_name, $entity_level_zero->$field_name->entity->label());
+    $this->assertEquals($deep_serialization ? 'entity level two' : $initial_entity_name, $entity_level_zero->$field_name->entity->$field_name->entity->label());
+  }
+
+}
