Description
This Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup is a rich, creamy, and comforting meal perfect for chilly days. Loaded with crispy bacon, tender gnocchi, sharp cheddar cheese, and a blend of aromatic spices, this hearty soup combines savory flavors with a velvety texture to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8–10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 16 oz gnocchi
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)
Seasonings
- 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)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet until crispy. Once cooked, remove them from the pan, drain on paper towels, and chop into small pieces. Set aside for later use.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sliced carrots. Cook while stirring frequently until the onions become translucent and the carrots are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Chicken Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This will help cook the carrots further and build the base flavor for the soup.
- Incorporate Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half), salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, and optional red chili flakes. Mix well and let it warm through without boiling, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot, stirring continuously to ensure the cheese melts smoothly into the soup, creating a creamy texture.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering soup and cook for about 2 minutes or until the gnocchi float to the surface and become tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped crispy bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra cheese or bacon if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Gnocchi cooks quickly; do not overcook as they will become mushy.
- Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter soup.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or add a tablespoon of flour when sautéing onions and carrots.
- Red chili flakes add a mild heat; omit if you want a milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering and Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: bacon cheddar gnocchi soup, creamy gnocchi soup, bacon soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, cheesy soup
