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Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup

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This cozy, creamy soup combines smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and pillowy potato gnocchi in a savory broth. Quick enough for a weeknight but special enough for company, it’s the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 pound potato gnocchi
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Green onions or chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces. Dice onion, carrot, and celery. Mince garlic. Grate cheddar. Gather all ingredients before starting.
  2. Place bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until crispy and browned. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  3. Add onion, carrot, and celery to the bacon fat. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, until veggies are soft and fragrant. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
  5. Gradually pour in chicken broth, whisking to blend out any flour lumps. Add milk and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping the bottom of the pot.
  6. Stir in gnocchi, black pepper, and thyme. Simmer for 7-8 minutes, or until gnocchi are tender and floating.
  7. Lower heat to prevent boiling, then gradually add shredded cheddar, stirring until melted and smooth. Return cooked bacon to the pot, reserving a few bits for garnish if desired.
  8. Taste and add salt as needed.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with green onions or chives and extra bacon bits. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and use olive oil or butter to sauté the vegetables, and substitute smoked paprika or liquid smoke for bacon flavor. Use gluten-free flour and gnocchi for a gluten-free soup. Add spinach or kale at the end for extra greens. Soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. For best texture, add gnocchi and cheese just before serving if making ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon cheddar gnocchi soup, fall soup, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy soup, weeknight meal, potato gnocchi, cheddar cheese, bacon soup, cozy recipes

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/bacon-cheddar-gnocchi-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-fall-dinner-idea/