Description
Comfort-packed bacon cheddar gnocchi soup delivers hearty warmth with creamy potato goodness. Crisp bacon, melted cheese, and pillowy gnocchi combine for a satisfying meal that welcomes you into winter’s embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Render bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until achieving golden, crisp texture. Extract bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, reserving two tablespoons of smoky drippings.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions in bacon fat until translucent, then add minced garlic and briefly toast to release its fragrant essence. Introduce butter and dust with flour, whisking to create a smooth roux.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually stream chicken broth into the roux, maintaining consistent stirring to prevent lumps. Pour in heavy cream and allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, creating a velvety base for the soup.
- Gnocchi and Cheese Incorporation: Carefully drop gnocchi into the simmering liquid, cooking until they float to the surface. Blend shredded cheddar cheese into the soup, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- Seasoning and Final Touches: Season with salt, cracked black pepper, and a hint of smoked paprika. Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces and fold in baby spinach leaves, allowing them to delicately wilt into the creamy mixture.
- Serving: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and ladle the steaming, luxurious soup into serving bowls, ready to be enjoyed.
Notes
- Bacon Rendering Technique: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve crispy texture without burning. Drain excess fat on paper towels to maintain crispiness and reduce greasiness.
- Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter constantly to prevent scorching and ensure smooth, lump-free base. Use low-medium heat for optimal thickening without burning.
- Gnocchi Cooking Precision: Add gnocchi directly to simmering soup, not boiling liquid. Watch carefully as they float to surface, which signals perfect cooking time – typically 2-3 minutes.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Remove soup from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and grainy texture. Stir gradually and gently to create creamy, smooth consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg