Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup – A Rich and Creamy Comfort Meal Recipe
Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup is a rich and creamy comfort meal combining crispy bacon, tender gnocchi, and sharp cheddar cheese in a warm, savory broth. Perfect for chilly days, this soup is hearty, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a satisfying dish for family dinners or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon
- 8–10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
Broth and Seasonings
- 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)
Soup Base
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)
- 16 oz gnocchi
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy. Remove them from the pan and place on paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced carrots, and sauté until the vegetables are tender and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This helps to meld the flavors and soften the carrots further.
- Create Soup Base: Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half along with salt, black pepper, garlic powder (or minced garlic), dried thyme, and optional red chili flakes. Then gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese while stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the pot and cook according to package instructions, typically about 2 minutes, or until they float to the surface and become tender.
- Finish with Bacon and Serve: Stir in the chopped bacon, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional cheese or bacon if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter soup, but the texture will be slightly less rich.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more robust flavor.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Vegetarian option: omit bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup, creamy gnocchi soup, bacon soup, comfort food soup, cheesy gnocchi soup, easy soup recipe
