Cozy Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup Recipe: A Bowlful of Joy!

Steaming bowls of comfort await with this hearty bacon cheddar gnocchi soup that promises pure culinary bliss.

Creamy textures mingle with crispy bacon bits in a delightful dance of flavors.

Rich, cheesy goodness fills every spoonful with warmth and satisfaction.

Soft potato gnocchi float like pillowy clouds in a velvety broth packed with savory goodness.

Weeknight dinners never tasted so incredible with this simple yet luxurious soup.

Each bite delivers a symphony of robust ingredients that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

This soul-warming recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal you’ll crave again and again.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup Ingredient Breakdown

• Chopped Bacon: Crispy, smoky foundation that adds rich depth and satisfying crunch to the soup, choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and texture.
• Bacon Grease: Liquid gold of the cooking world, provides incredible richness and helps build a robust flavor profile for the entire dish.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers a savory foundation that supports the overall taste and provides essential liquid for the soup's consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety texture that transforms the soup from basic to gourmet, select high-quality cream for best results.
• Milk: Softens the cream's intensity and helps balance the soup's richness, whole milk works best for maximum creaminess.

• Store-bought Gnocchi: Quick and convenient potato dumpling that adds substantial, comforting bulk to the soup, look for fresh or vacuum-sealed varieties.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cornerstone that provides tangy depth and creamy binding, select aged cheddar for more intense flavor.
• Onion: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor, dice finely for even distribution.
• Garlic: Pungent accent that elevates the entire dish's complexity, fresh cloves offer superior taste compared to pre-minced.
• All-Purpose Flour: Crucial thickening agent that helps create a smooth, cohesive soup texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and enhances all other ingredients, freshly ground black pepper adds extra dimension.

Tools That Help Simmer and Stir This Cozy Bowl

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup base and ingredients.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon while draining excess grease.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping ingredients like bacon and vegetables.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise cutting of bacon and any additional ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Used for accurately measuring bacon grease and other seasonings.

How to Make Gnocchi Soup With Bacon and Cheddar

• Crisp Up the Bacon

Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it turns golden and crunchy. Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the delicious drippings behind.

• Sauté the Aromatics

Toss diced onions, carrots, and celery into the bacon-infused pot. Stir and cook until the vegetables soften and release their sweet, fragrant flavors.

• Build the Soup Base

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to create a silky roux. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.

• Simmer and Season

Let the soup bubble gently, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to create a rich, comforting flavor profile.

• Add the Gnocchi

Drop pillowy potato gnocchi into the simmering soup. Cook until they float to the surface and become tender, about 3-4 minutes.

• Finish with Cheese and Bacon

Stir in sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Top the soup with the reserved crispy bacon pieces for a delightful crunch.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the creamy, hearty soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Extra Veggies, Spice, or Cream? Yes, Please

• Bacon Crisp Pro: Cook bacon until deeply golden and extra crispy for maximum flavor crunch, letting it render slowly over medium-low heat.
• Cheese Swap Magic: Experiment with different sharp cheeses like smoked gouda, pepper jack, or gruyère to create unique flavor profiles and add exciting depth.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the soup base and bacon separately, storing them refrigerated. Combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy bacon.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute regular gnocchi with gluten-free potato gnocchi for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty soup.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace bacon with smoked paprika, roasted mushrooms, or tempeh bacon bits to maintain a rich, smoky flavor for plant-based diets while keeping the soup's comforting essence.

Serve in Deep Bowls With Bread or Crackers

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic mugs or rustic bowls to capture its warm, comforting essence and highlight the rich bacon and cheddar flavors.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top, add a dollop of sour cream, and garnish with fresh chives or green onions for a burst of color and extra texture.
• Perfect Pairing Plate: Accompany the soup with crusty garlic bread, a small side salad with mixed greens, or buttery dinner rolls to create a complete, satisfying meal that complements the soup's rich profile.
• Winter Wellness Companion: Enjoy this soup as a soul-warming dish during cold evenings, offering both nutrition and comfort with its creamy texture and savory bacon cheddar combination.

Store and Reheat Without Losing That Creaminess

• Quick Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Strategy: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring best flavor and texture when consumed within the first month.
• Reheating Tips: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add splash of broth if soup appears too thick during reheating.
• Ingredient Separation: Keep bacon and gnocchi separate when storing to maintain crispness. Add crispy bacon bits just before serving to prevent sogginess and preserve their delightful crunch.

Hearty Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty bacon cheddar gnocchi soup brings comfort from Italian roots with American cheese and crispy bacon twists. Creamy potato base and pillowy gnocchi create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 lb (454 g) potato gnocchi
• 2 cups (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 cups (32 fl oz) chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups (12 fl oz) heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups baby spinach (optional, for freshness)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until golden-brown and perfectly rendered, then transfer to a plate while reserving the flavorful drippings.
2. Vegetable Sauté: Utilize the bacon fat to soften aromatic vegetables, creating a rich foundational layer for the soup’s complex flavor profile.
3. Roux Development: Dust flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring consistently to craft a smooth thickening base that will provide substantial body to the soup.
4. Liquid Integration: Methodically whisk chicken broth and milk into the roux, ensuring a silky, lump-free liquid that forms the soup’s creamy foundation.
5. Gnocchi Cooking: Gently introduce gnocchi into the simmering broth, allowing them to cook tenderly and absorb the surrounding savory essence.
6. Cheese Incorporation: Melt sharp cheddar cheese thoroughly into the soup, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that binds all ingredients together.
7. Final Assembly: Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces, season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs, then garnish with additional cheese or fresh herbs before serving piping hot.

Notes

• Bacon Fat Management: Reserve bacon drippings carefully for extra flavor depth, straining out any burnt bits to prevent bitterness in the final soup.
• Prevent Gnocchi Mushiness: Cook gnocchi just until they float to prevent overcooking, which can transform them into a soggy, unappetizing texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from direct heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and grainy consistency, stirring gently until smooth and fully incorporated.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Swap bacon for turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon bits, use gluten-free flour for roux, and substitute lactose-free milk and cheese for dairy-sensitive diners.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg