You want to know what the best soup from North Dakota is? It's knoephla soup and it has potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, and homemade or store-bought dumplings.  It's creamy and rich, plus very easy to make.

Kneophla soup is such a comforting and hearty recipe and if you've never had this soup before you're in for a treat.

What is North Dakota Like?

North Dakota is a very cold state and it can get to -20 below out some days, depending on which part of North Dakota you live in. Some days I wonder why I live here? Being half German half Norwegian, I wanted to feature more recipes such as knoephla soup.  It’s creamy, rich, very hearty, and very comforting to make on a cold day like today. If you visit North Dakota, check out Fargo and the Badlands out West. It's pretty flat until you get out in that direction.

Homemade or Store Bought Knoephla 

If you're a semi-homemade cook like me, you will just want to go straight to the freezer section at the grocery store and pick up a bag of dumplings. Frozen dumplings are usually done when they float to the top of the soup. That’s what I do a lot actually. There’s nothing wrong with semi-homemade and using short cut ingredients  like this easy to keep in the freezer.

It doesn’t take much to make the homemade dumplings. I apologize for not having a step-by-step photo of making homemade knoephla. Roll the dough out into long ropes and cut them into little pieces. It's very similar to making homemade soft pretzel bites

Chicken Stock or Bouillion? 

When I make soup I like to use a lower sodium chicken stock a to control the amount of salt added. Usually the chicken stock will state if it's lower sodium on the box. Bouillion cubes are great and convenient to have on hand, but I think they can overpower a soup sometimes and make it seem like it's way too salty. 

Best Potatoes for Knoephla Soup

For Knoephla Soup, it is best to use wax potatoes such as red or yellow potatoes, as they hold their shape well and do not become mushy when boiled. My favorite type of potatoes for knoephla soup is yukon gold.

How long to Simmer Potatoes?

Potatoes can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to simmer on the stove. Depending on what type and size the potato is. I recommend taking a fork and piercing the potato after it has simmered on the stovetop to check and see if it's done. A fork should come out of potato easy when it's ready.  

What Ingredients do I need? 

• Water
• Chicken broth - Try to get no salt added chicken broth so you can control the salt that goes in there. If you like making homemade chicken stock go for it!
• Large onion yellow onion such as Vidalia, diced
• Celery - diced
• Carrots - are not listed in the recipe below but you can surely add them if you like
• Potatoes - diced, I used Yukon for knoephla soup, it is best to use waxy potatoes such as red or yellow potatoes, as they hold their shape well and do not become mushy when boiled. potatoes 
• Bay leaves - dry
• Salt & pepper - to taste 
• Garlic powder
• Heavy Cream - Can sub any type of milk if you wish instead of cream but cream is the best. 

• Knoephla Dough a German dumpling
• Flour - I have only tested this recipe with all purpose flour.
• Baking powder
• Salt

How to Make Knoephla Soup 

• In a big soup pot add water and broth, then add onion, celery, potatoes, bouillon cubes, and spices. Boil until potatoes are done, about 12-15 minutes. 
• Knoephla Dough |  German dumpling: Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together to make a fairly stiff dough. Add eough water to make the dough stiff — ¾ cups or more depending on how much gluten is in your flour. You can use milk in place of the water — some here do.
• Roll into ½ inch ropes and cut with a pair of scissors into ½ inch pieces right into the simmering soup.
• Add cream and knoepfla to soup pot. Simmer 30-40 minutes. 
• This is a very hearty soup and wonderful on a cold day! Especially here in North Dakota! Brrrrr

Other Recipes to Try 

3 Ingredient Cherry Sorbet 

3 Ingredient Fudge Pop 

Oreo Ice Cream Cake 

Healthy 3 Ingredient Chocolate Muffins 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge 

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