Description
Cheddar Gnocchi Soup is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender potato gnocchi simmered in a creamy cheddar cheese broth with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and carrots. This hearty soup combines savory flavors with a smooth, cheesy texture, perfect for warming up on chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 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)
Bacon
- 8–10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz potato gnocchi (store-bought works great)
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy to render the fat and add smoky flavor. Once done, transfer the bacon strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add butter or olive oil to the same pot and sauté the diced onions and sliced carrots over medium heat until they become soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. This builds the base flavor for the soup.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, and red chili flakes if using. Stir well to combine flavors.
- Create the creamy cheese base: Slowly stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and shredded cheddar cheese, whisking continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Cook the gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the soup and cook for 2-3 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through, floating to the top.
- Combine bacon and adjust seasoning: Stir in the chopped crispy bacon pieces into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
- Serve: Ladle the hot cheddar gnocchi soup into bowls and enjoy immediately for a cheesy, cozy meal.
Notes
- Store-bought gnocchi makes this recipe quick and easy, but you can use homemade gnocchi if preferred.
- For a spicier soup, increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Make sure to cook gnocchi only until tender to avoid them becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheddar Gnocchi Soup, cheesy gnocchi soup, bacon gnocchi soup, comfort food soup, creamy gnocchi soup
