Description

A rich, cheesy, and smoky soup featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy fall dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

6 slices thick-cut bacon
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g)
4 cups chicken broth (960ml), low-sodium preferred
1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
2 medium potatoes, diced (Yukon gold or red)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (200g)
1 package gnocchi (about 16 oz / 450g), fresh or frozen
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 7-10 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and thicken the mixture.
Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes and fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in heavy cream until combined. Add shredded cheddar cheese in batches, stirring until melted and smooth.
Drop gnocchi directly into the simmering soup. Cook until gnocchi float to the surface, about 3-5 minutes.
Crumble reserved crispy bacon and stir most into the soup, saving some for garnish. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor.

Notes

The soup thickens as it cools; stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen if needed. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor. Do not overcook gnocchi; remove when they float. Leftover soup makes great grilled cheese dipping sauce. For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon and half-and-half for heavy cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
Calories: 380
Fat: 24
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 3
Protein: 15

Keywords: bacon, cheddar, gnocchi, soup, creamy, fall, comfort food, easy, cheesy, smoky