Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup (Print-Friendly Version)

Creamy bacon and cheddar soup with tender gnocchi, perfect for cozy dinners or chilly evenings.

# What You’ll Need to Make This:

→ Soup Base

01 - 8–10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
02 - 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 4 cups chicken broth

→ Seasonings

06 - 1–2 teaspoons salt
07 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2–1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

→ Finishing Ingredients

11 - 16 ounces gnocchi
12 - 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
13 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Fry bacon until crisp, drain excess fat, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
02 - In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter or heat oil. Add diced onion and sliced carrots, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half, salt, black pepper, garlic powder or minced garlic, dried thyme, optional red chili flakes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until cheese is fully melted.
05 - Add gnocchi to the pot and cook for 2 minutes, or until gnocchi are tender and floating.
06 - Return bacon to the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For a lighter meal, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
02 - Add fresh spinach or kale during the final minutes of simmering for extra nutrients.
03 - Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.