Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
User Reviews
5
Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
Description
This soup recipe begins by cooking bacon to desired crispness and dicing it into small pieces. Onions and sliced carrots are sautéed in butter or olive oil until tender, creating a flavorful vegetable base. Chicken broth is added and simmered with seasonings including salt, black pepper, garlic powder or fresh garlic, dried thyme, and red chili flakes for subtle heat. Heavy cream or half-and-half is incorporated carefully over medium-low heat to avoid curdling, enriching the soup with creaminess. Grated cheddar cheese is gradually melted in to prevent clumping, adding a sharp and smooth dairy element. Finally, gnocchi is stirred in and cooked briefly until tender, and bacon pieces are added back for smoky flavor.
The layered flavors balance creaminess, cheese, aromatic vegetables, and smoky bacon. The gnocchi provides a pillowy texture that absorbs the savory broth. Serving suggestions include topping with extra cheese, green onions, or bacon bits. The soup is filling and warming, suited for comforting meals.
For bacon, oven-baking on foil lined sheet at 400°F for 20-27 minutes is recommended for even crispness and easier cleanup, but pan frying is also an option.
Ingredients
- 8-10 lices Bacon
- 1 Tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 large carrot peeled and sliced into small pieces
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 4 cloves minced garlic)
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook bacon. I list suggestions below on best ways to cook the bacon. Set aside. Once cooled, cut into small pieces.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the butter. Add onions and carrots in butter or olive oil and cook until until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Add chicken broth and let simmer.
- Once the vegetables are soft and tender, reduce heat to medium-low and add heavy cream of half-n-half and all of the spices. Let simmer until it starts to reduce slightly. DO NOT let it boil or it may clump when the cheese is added.
- Add the grated cheese in increments so that it doesn't clump. Let the cheese completely melt. Stir in gnocchi and cook for 2 minutes. Taste for seasonings and add more salt and pepper as needed.
- Add the bacon pieces. Serve with green onions, grated cheese, and bacon.
Notes
- Oven-baking bacon at 400°F on foil-lined baking sheet for 20-27 minutes helps achieve consistent crispness and simplifies cleanup.
- Alternatively, pan-sear bacon over medium heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels before adding to soup.
- To avoid cheese clumping, add grated cheddar gradually while stirring soup over medium-low heat without boiling.
- Do not boil the soup once cream and cheese are added to maintain smooth texture.
- Gnocchi cooks quickly in the finished soup; 2 minutes is sufficient for a tender texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 557 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 557kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 88mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 1736mg | 72% |
| Potassium | 349mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 4740IU | 95% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 393mg | 39% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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