Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 2–3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- For the dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- Optional: chopped chives or parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 8–10 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in tomatoes with their juice. Crush them gently with a spoon. Stir in broth, sugar, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and let cook for at least 30 minutes.
- While soup simmers, make the dumpling dough. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add shredded cheddar and ricotta, mixing to distribute evenly.
- In another bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Use wet hands or a spoon to form ping-pong sized dumplings.
- Once soup is ready, blend until smooth with an immersion blender or standard blender (optional).
- Bring soup to a gentle simmer, then carefully drop in dumplings. Cover and steam for 12–15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Check doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, dumplings are ready.
- Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil, grated Parmesan, or a drizzle of cream if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the best dumpling texture. Don’t skip the baking powder—it gives the dumplings their fluffy lift. For a richer soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 65mg