Simple Dumpling Soup
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This simple dumpling soup is one of the most affordable meals you can make at just $.21 per serving. It’s easy and nutritious, and my children love it. This is a great dish to serve alongside a more ambitious meal that your kids may not like. When I serve a new, “challenging” dinner that my children may not go for, I try to make sure there’s something else on the table that everyone can handle. This soup fits the bill in my house.
Dumpling soup is a nice alternative to a sandwich in a school lunchbox. It also freezes well, so it’s a good idea to stash some away for a day when you need it. The whole grain dumplings are adapted from a dumpling recipe in Joy of Cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 tbs baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbs butter
- 1 cup milk
- 8 cups chicken broth (or water/broth combo)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
Instructions
- To make the dough, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the butter and milk until the butter melts. Add the warm milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix.
- In a large pot, bring the broth just to a boil, then lower the heat to medium. Add 1 cup of the carrots.
- Form 1/2-inch balls of dough and add them to the pot. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes. The broth will thicken as the dumpling batter breaks down a bit.
- Divide the soup into bowls and sprinkle each bowl with the remaining carrots.
Nutrition
Dumpling Soup Price Breakdown
This recipe yields 8 servings of 1¼ cups each. The total cost is $1.66, or $.21 per serving. That’s about as cheap as it gets. Serve this soup with a salad and some cheese on the side for an easy, child-friendly dinner.
For other easy, affordable dinner recipes, check out my roundup of 30 healthy dinners that each cost less than $1 per serving.
What are your go-to affordable family dinner recipes? Please share in the comments.
I liked the sound of this until I saw the ingredients list. SO basically all the kids get to eat is flour and carrots. A disappointingly unbalanced meal! I want/need to cook frugal but still want to provide the kids with the nutrients that they need 🙁
Don’t underestimate the benefits of chicken broth, Simone. And of course you could always add some chicken for additional protein.
Dear Annemarie, Just something from a new subscriber. Great start with your dumplings
The sky is the limit on this one, and I have the basics here. With rents going through the roof this is well timed. All the best. Envobuddy
Thanks, Truida. I hope you enjoy some of my other frugal recipes. I have lots of them!