Frugal Foodie Mama: Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup with Spiced Walnuts

This Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup with Spiced Walnuts would be the perfect start to your Thanksgiving dinner or a tasty way to warm up on a chilly fall day...

Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup with Spiced Walnuts- the perfect starter for your Thanksgiving dinner

Is anyone else a little floored that Thanksgiving is just two weeks away? I do have to admit though that I have been planning my Thanksgiving dinner menu now for the past couple of weeks.

A couple of years ago, I took over the hosting of the annual Thanksgiving dinner to give my mother a break from the yearly undertaking of roasting a turkey.

At first it was just going to be every other year, but I realized how much I loved hosting it and my mama realized just how much she loved being able to sleep in on Thanksgiving morning. ;) So, this will be my third year in a row preparing and hosting the annual family Thanksgiving dinner.

Over the past two years, I have learned a few things about how to host a holiday dinner for family and keep it as stress free as possible.

Like keeping the dinner menu itself simple and delicious. For instance, never try out a new recipe for a side dish or dessert the day of Thanksgiving. You may end up a side dish short or without a dessert to serve. ;) Give new recipes a test run at least a few days before the big dinner.

Also, have an appetizer recipe planned that you can get out on the table and in guests' hands fairly quickly just in case the turkey is taking a little longer to roast than you had anticipated.

Like this Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup with Spiced Walnuts. From the chopping of the onion to the ladling into bowls, this perfect for fall comforting soup is ready in just 45 minutes...

Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup with Spiced Walnuts

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (6 servings)

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1/8 tsp to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (to your heat preference)
1/2 tsp paprika
4 cups of chicken broth (Try making homemade- Get MY RECIPE HERE.)
15 oz can of pumpkin puree
1 cup half 'n half
1 lb packaged potato gnocchi (can also use frozen)
2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach leaves
Salt & pepper, to taste

For the spiced walnuts

1 cup of walnuts, roughly chopped
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of cayenne
pinch of Kosher salt

Instructions

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot. Once heated, add in the onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Saute 2-3 minutes.

Pour in the chicken broth and stir.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree and half 'n half. Pour into the pot with the chicken broth. Stir well.

Bring to a slow boil.

While the soup is coming to a boil, prepare the spiced walnuts. In a small bowl, mix together the chopped walnuts, brown sugar, olive oil, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and salt. Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes and then stir. Toast for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Once the soup has come to a boil, add in the packaged potato gnocchi. Continue to cook on a low boil until the gnocchi are heated through. Add in the spinach leaves and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Give the soup a taste and add in salt and pepper to your preference.

Ladle into bowls and serve with a generous sprinkling of the spiced walnuts over top.

Enjoy!

This soup is creamy, hearty, with just a hint of spicy heat. The pillowy gnocchis and toasted spiced walnuts give this soup a delicious contrast in textures.

Will you be hosting your family's Thanksgiving dinner this year?

How will you be starting out your Thanksgiving dinner? (Psssttt.. just go ahead and say with this Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup. ;) )