Description
This Cheddar Gnocchi Soup is a warm, comforting dish combining crispy bacon, tender gnocchi, and a creamy cheddar cheese broth. It’s perfect for chilly days, offering a hearty and cheesy flavor in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 8–10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
Pantry Staples & Spices
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1–2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 4 cloves minced garlic)
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ½–1 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 16 oz potato gnocchi (store-bought works great)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop the bacon and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: To the same pot, add butter or olive oil. Add the diced onions and sliced carrots and sauté until they are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors and cook the vegetables further.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy soup base.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the pot and cook for 2–3 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.
- Combine Bacon and Season: Stir in the chopped bacon. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili flakes as desired.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy the warm, cheesy, and comforting flavors.
Notes
- Store-bought potato gnocchi works well and significantly reduces prep time.
- Use half-and-half for a lighter soup or heavy cream for a richer, creamier texture.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder soup.
- For added greens, consider stirring in some fresh spinach or kale at the end.
- This soup is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheddar gnocchi soup, creamy gnocchi soup, bacon cheddar soup, comfort food soup, easy gnocchi recipes
