Creamy French Onion Gnocchi Soup with Green Peas

A Cozy, Flavorful Twist on French Onion Soup – with a Touch of Italy!

I’ll be totally honest with you – I’ve been to France, but I’ve never had an authentic French onion soup straight from the source. I’ve heard it’s incredible, and I can’t wait to try it one day in a cozy French bistro. But, until then, I’ve had plenty of delicious versions of this warm, comforting dish. So, I decided to create my own fun twist, with a little detour to Italy, to bring you a recipe truly unique and full of flavor!

I know many of you, like me, love to travel and experience new foods, so I thought I’d give you a staycation recipe to make right in your own kitchen. This recipe will take your tastebuds on a mini European tour, blending the best of French and Italian culinary traditions. You get the sweet, caramelized onion base of a classic French onion soup, enriched with Italian balsamic vinegar and the perfect texture of chewy gnocchi. All of this is topped with melted Gruyère cheese, adding a warm, savory finish that will comfort you all season long.

When I first set out to make this soup, I’d recently had a bowl of Panera’s French onion soup. It was good, but I felt it didn’t quite capture the depth of flavor I was looking for. So, I decided to take a slightly different approach—one that’s creamy and smooth, with no chunks of onion (which I love, but I know not everyone does). This version is also kid-friendly and healthier, with green peas adding a pop of color and extra vitamins. Plus, the gnocchi provides a satisfying, chewy texture that makes this soup even more comforting and filling. Trust me, you’ll want seconds!

Sure, this soup does take a little time to make, broil, and serve. But the rich depth of flavor, the healthy broth and onion base, and that irresistible gooey cheese are more than worth it. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from head to toe on those chilly winter nights or brisk afternoon. I hope you love it!

Health Notes: A Lighter, Veggie-Packed Version of French Onion Soup

• Got Veggies? I’ve always felt traditional French onion soup could use more vegetables. Onions are technically a vegetable, but I wanted to add another layer of nutrition and texture with green peas. They bring a burst of color and health benefits, while also complementing the caramelized onions beautifully.

• Light Broth Base: This soup doesn’t rely on heavy cream, whole milk, or butter to get its richness. Instead, it uses a flavorful beef bouillon base, hydrating water, a little natural extra virgin olive oil, and the natural sweetness of caramelized onions and maple syrup. A touch of balsamic vinegar adds just the right acidity to balance it all out. It’s a nourishing, cozy broth that you’ll love—and the creamy texture is created naturally when everything is blended together. No need for any extra fat!

• Naturally Sweetened: No granulated sugar or brown sugar in this recipe! The sweetness of the onions and a dash of maple syrup give this soup a beautiful, natural balance of sweet and savory. There’s no need for refined sugars when you’ve got the right ingredients, like sweet onions and maple syrup, bringing out the best in this dish.

• Carb-Balanced: Traditional French onion soup usually has bread soaking up the broth, but this version swaps in gnocchi for a more satisfying texture. The chewy, doughy gnocchi provides the perfect balance to the soup without the need for heavy bread. Plus, they pair wonderfully with the melted cheese and make this dish feel like a comforting pasta in every bite.

Tips for Perfecting This Soup & Recipe

• Use Sweet Onions: Sweet onions are key. When cooked down, they add a lovely caramelized flavor that brings balance to the soup. Traditional yellow or white onions just don’t have the same depth of sweetness that sweet onions do.

• Don’t Skip the Thyme: Dried thyme adds earthy, herby notes to the broth, balancing the sweetness of the onions and maple syrup. It also gives the soup a beautiful touch of green throughout, making it as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tastebuds.

• Mini Gnocchi (Gnocchetti) Are Perfect: I love using mini gnocchi here—they’re the ideal size for this soup, a little larger than the green peas, and spread out nicely in each bowl. Their chewy texture is the perfect complement to the gooey melted cheese. When you scoop up a bite with gnocchi and cheese? Heaven.

• A Dash of Worcestershire Sauce: This is the secret ingredient for a little extra depth. It adds umami, tang, and sweetness that pairs beautifully with the beef broth, enhancing the overall flavor profile. This is especially comforting if you’re feeling under the weather, as the salty broth hydrates and warms you up with each spoonful.

Ingredients:

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Sweet onions

• Maple syrup

• Ground black pepper

• Dried thyme

• Garlic powder

• Balsamic vinegar

• Worcestershire sauce

• All-purpose flour

• Beef broth (or water + beef bouillon)

• Potato gnocchi (regular or mini)

• Frozen peas

• Shredded Gruyère cheese

How to Make This French Onion Gnocchi Soup

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions for Maximum Flavor

Start by heating 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add 2 sweet onions, sliced up, along with 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.

Stir the mixture frequently to ensure the onions cook evenly. The goal here is to caramelize the onions—this takes time, so be patient! After about 25 minutes, the onions will become translucent and turn a deep, golden-brown color. The syrup and seasonings will help bring out their natural sweetness, making the base of your soup rich and flavorful.

Step 2: Blend the Onion Mixture to Create a Smooth Base

Once the onions are perfectly caramelized, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the onions into a blender. Add ¼ cup balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients will add depth, tang, and a touch of sweetness to the soup.

Blend the mixture on high for about 1 minute until it's smooth and well combined. The texture should be velvety and consistent, which will give your soup that creamy, luxurious feel without any large chunks of onion. Once blended, pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

Step 3: Make the Broth Base

Return the saucepan to medium-low heat. Now, it's time to create a smooth, flavorful broth base. Whisk in 1 ½ tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the blended onion mixture. This will help thicken the soup and give it a creamy consistency once the liquid is added.

Next, gradually pour in 4 cups of beef broth (or 4 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of beef bouillon whisked together) a little at a time. As you pour, whisk constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the broth is completely incorporated with the onion mixture, creating a smooth, creamy base.

Step 4: Simmer and Add the Gnocchi

Once your soup base is smooth, increase the heat to medium and bring the soup to a simmer. Add 1 (16–17.5 ounce) package of gnocchi (regular or mini) to the pot. Let the gnocchi cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

The gnocchi will soak up some of the delicious onion-broth flavor while becoming soft and tender. This step adds a hearty, satisfying texture to your soup, replacing the traditional bread used in French onion soup.

Step 5: Prepare the Peas and Preheat the Oven

While the gnocchi is cooking, take a moment to prepare the peas. 1 (10-ounce) package of frozen peas should be thawed according to the package instructions. Set them aside for later.

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) for broiling. You’ll want the oven nice and hot to get that perfect, golden-brown finish on the cheese top of the soup.

Step 6: Combine and Add the Cheese

Once the gnocchi is tender and the soup has thickened, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the thawed peas for an added burst of color, texture, and nutrition.

Next, transfer the soup into an oven-safe Dutch oven or baking dish. Make sure to ladle the soup in carefully, ensuring all those delicious gnocchi and peas are evenly distributed.

Top the soup with 1 ½ cups of shredded Gruyère cheese. The cheese will melt and form a gooey, golden layer on top, which is one of the most satisfying parts of this dish!

Step 7: Broil to Perfection

Place your oven-safe dish under the broiler, and let the cheese melt and bubble for about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it—you want the cheese to turn golden brown and start to form crispy, delicious edges.

Once the cheese is melted to perfection, remove the dish from the oven.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Your soup is now ready to serve! Ladle it into bowls while it's hot, with that irresistibly gooey cheese still bubbling on top. This comforting dish is perfect for cozy dinners, whether you're feeding the family or impressing guests. Serve immediately and enjoy every warm, cheesy, savory bite. It’s the perfect winter comfort food, offering rich flavors and satisfying textures in each spoonful.

Note: I hope this soup becomes a new seasonal favorite for you! It’s a simple yet elevated dish that’s perfect for cozy nights in or impressing guests with something a little different this colder time of year. Enjoy!