Craving a rich and cozy meal without a pile of dishes? Our Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup starts with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar for a deeply savory base. You’ll love how the potato gnocchi simmers directly in the creamy broth, making it a supremely satisfying one-pot supper that’s ready to warm you up on even the busiest of weeknights.
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Ingredients for Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
For the soup base
- Olive oil – Just a bit to build flavor with the bacon drippings.
- Bacon – Chopped and cooked until crisp for that irresistible smoky crunch.
- Yellow onion – Finely chopped to melt right into the soup.
- Carrots – Peeled and diced for a touch of sweetness and color.
- Celery – Diced to add a subtle earthy note—don’t skip it!
- Garlic – Minced for that aromatic backbone we all love.
For thickening and flavor
- All-purpose flour – Just enough to create a roux and thicken things up.
- Chicken broth – The liquid gold that brings everything together.
For the creamy heart of the soup
- Potato gnocchi – Shelf-stable or refrigerated both work—go with what you’ve got.
- Half-and-half – Adds that lush, creamy texture we’re after.
For cheesy goodness
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Shredded and stirred in for that bold, melty flavor.
For seasoning and finishing
- Kosher salt – Just enough to enhance all the flavors.
- Black pepper – Adds a little warmth and depth.
- Fresh parsley – Chopped and sprinkled on top for a pop of color and freshness.
Cook Time for Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi
One of my favorite things about this savory baked cheddar gnocchi chowder is how quickly it comes together on a hectic night. This stovetop cheesy bacon dumpling stew is ready in just about 40 minutes from start to finish. That’s faster than ordering takeout and so much more satisfying. For more quick and delicious meal ideas, check out my collection of healthy soup recipes that are perfect for any schedule.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 25 minutes | 40 minutes |
How to Make Bacon Cheddar Soup
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon
Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8–10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the drippings in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the olive oil to the bacon drippings in the pot. Stir in the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 3: Create the Roux
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux and eliminate the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking continuously to ensure a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Add the gnocchi and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and float to the surface.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Cheese
Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in the half-and-half, stirring gently to combine. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
Step 6: Final Touches
Stir in the reserved cooked bacon, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this one-pot creamy gnocchi with bacon even more delicious and to suit different tastes. After all, the best meals are the ones that feel made just for you and your family.
- Flavor Swap: For a different take, try using smoked gouda or a pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. It gives a whole new personality to this creamy bacon potato dumpling soup.
- Diet Tweak: To lighten it up, swap the half-and-half for whole milk and use a leaner turkey bacon. The soup will still be wonderfully creamy.
- Prep Fix: For the best texture, don’t overcook the gnocchi. They should be tender but still have a little bite, just like in my favorite creamy tortellini soup.
- Storage Tip: This rich and chewy bacon cheddar soup stores beautifully. Let it cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove to keep the cream from separating. For more make-ahead inspiration, my crockpot cheeseburger soup is another great option.
Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon
- measuring cups
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Add the olive oil to the bacon drippings in the pot. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to form a paste-like roux and cook off the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, then stir in the gnocchi. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and begin to float to the surface.
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the half-and-half, ensuring the soup does not boil. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and the soup is smooth.
- Stir in the reserved cooked bacon, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutrition and Health Benefits
Every spoonful of this Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup brings more than just incredible comfort to your table. While it’s certainly a rich and satisfying meal, it also offers some nutritional highlights worth celebrating with a thoughtful approach. I love knowing that simple, wholesome ingredients can create something that truly nourishes both the body and the soul.
This bacon cheddar soup provides a good source of protein from the bacon and cheese, which helps keep you full and energized. The carrots and celery add a touch of sweetness and contribute vitamins A and C, while the potato gnocchi offers comforting carbohydrates for lasting energy. For a different twist on a hearty, vegetable-packed meal, you might enjoy my classic minestrone soup as well.
If you’re looking to boost the veggie content even more, consider stirring in some spinach or kale at the end. This one-pot creamy gnocchi with bacon becomes a vibrant, nutrient-dense meal with just one simple addition. For more ideas on building balanced, flavorful soups, the techniques shared in this guide to creamy soup base techniques can help you create the perfect texture every time.
A Lighter Version of Bacon Cheddar Soup
I know that sometimes we all want that cozy comfort food feeling without the heavier ingredients, and this recipe adapts beautifully. Over the years, I’ve discovered several simple swaps that lighten up this rich and chewy bacon cheddar soup while keeping all the wonderful flavors we love.
For a leaner option, try using turkey bacon or even a plant-based bacon alternative. They still provide that smoky flavor without as much fat. Instead of half-and-half, whole milk or even evaporated milk creates a creamy texture with less fat. You can also reduce the cheese slightly and add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor with fewer calories.
If you’re looking for more lightened-up comfort food ideas, my creamy broccoli soup uses similar techniques for a healthier twist. And for those nights when you want something equally comforting but different, this hearty carrot lentil soup delivers amazing flavor with plant-based protein.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
When my aunt started paying closer attention to her blood sugar, I began exploring ways to adapt our family favorites to be more diabetic-friendly without sacrificing the comfort we craved. It’s amazing how a few thoughtful tweaks can make such a difference while keeping all the heartwarming flavors intact.
For a lower glycemic version of this bacon cheddar soup, consider using whole wheat gnocchi or even cauliflower gnocchi, which have less impact on blood sugar. Reducing the potato content and adding more non-starchy vegetables like extra celery and carrots can help too. When it comes to sweetness, the natural sugars in the vegetables usually suffice, but if you want to enhance it slightly, a touch of a natural sweetener like stevia works beautifully.
Portion control is another simple strategy—enjoy a smaller bowl of this savory baked cheddar gnocchi chowder alongside a fresh green salad. This balanced approach lets you savor the flavors you love while maintaining better glycemic control. Remember, it’s all about finding what works for your body while still enjoying the meals that make you feel at home.
How to Serve Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
I’ll never forget the first time I served this soup to my book club—the quiet that fell over the room was punctuated only by the sound of spoons scraping bowls and contented sighs. There’s something about this stovetop cheesy bacon dumpling stew that just brings people together, creating moments of shared comfort that linger long after the meal is over.
For the perfect pairing, I love serving this bacon cheddar gnocchi soup with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. The freshness cuts through the richness beautifully. A slice of crusty whole grain bread or some homemade croutons are perfect for dipping into that creamy broth. If you’re looking for another comforting bread option, my classic tomato soup pairs wonderfully with grilled cheese sandwiches too.
When it comes to drinks, a crisp apple cider or light beer complements the smoky bacon and sharp cheddar notes perfectly. For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water with a twist of lemon keeps things refreshing. And if you’re serving this as part of a larger meal, it works wonderfully alongside my creamy broccoli cauliflower soup for a comforting soup duo that pleases everyone at the table.
Mistakes to Avoid
I’ll never forget the first time I tried to make this bacon cheddar gnocchi soup for my husband’s family reunion – I was so nervous about impressing everyone that I made nearly every mistake possible! The gnocchi turned to mush, the cheese separated into greasy pools, and the bacon burned to a crisp. From that day forward, I learned exactly what not to do when creating this comforting dish.
One common mistake is adding the gnocchi too early in the cooking process. Those pillowy potato dumplings only need about 3-4 minutes to cook through, so if you add them with the vegetables, they’ll break down into a starchy mess. Wait until the very end when your broth is perfectly seasoned and creamy before gently stirring them in.
Another error I see often is using pre-shredded cheese. Those bags might be convenient, but they contain anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting. Your bacon cheddar gnocchi soup deserves freshly grated sharp cheddar that will melt into silky perfection rather than turning grainy or oily. For more cheesy soup inspiration, my crockpot cheeseburger soup uses similar melting techniques with great results.
Don’t make my early mistake of cooking the bacon at too high heat either! That beautiful bacon should be cooked low and slow to render the fat properly and achieve that perfect crispness without burning. If you’re looking for another soup that uses bacon beautifully, check out my hearty chicken soup with crispy bacon garnish.
Finally, remember that cheese and dairy don’t like boiling temperatures. When you add your half-and-half and cheese to this stovetop cheesy bacon dumpling stew, reduce the heat to low to prevent curdling. For professional guidance on achieving the perfect creamy texture, these creamy soup base techniques can help you master the method.
How to Store Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup
When my grandmother made her version of this rich and chewy bacon cheddar soup, she’d always prepare a double batch because she knew how the flavors deepened overnight. I can still picture her sturdy glass containers lined up on the refrigerator shelf, each filled with that comforting soup that tasted even better the next day after the ingredients had time to truly get to know each other.
For storing your bacon cheddar gnocchi soup, let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Glass works best as it won’t absorb any of those wonderful smoky flavors. This savory baked cheddar gnocchi chowder will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, though I doubt it will last that long once you taste how incredible it is reheated!
When reheating, do so gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy consistency since the gnocchi tends to absorb liquid as it sits. If you’re looking for another soup that reheats wonderfully, my butternut squash soup also improves with a day in the fridge.
Freezing this one-pot creamy gnocchi with bacon isn’t ideal since the dairy can separate and the gnocchi may become mushy upon thawing. If you must freeze it, expect some texture changes and consider making a fresh batch of gnocchi to add when reheating. For freezer-friendly options, my carrot lentil soup holds up much better in the deep freeze.
Try This Bacon Cheddar Gnocchi Soup Yourself
I’ll never forget the first time I served this bacon cheddar gnocchi soup to my daughter’s college roommates during parents’ weekend. These young women who had been living on cafeteria food and instant noodles suddenly had spoons hovering mid-air, their eyes wide with wonder at this taste of home. One of them actually called her mother right there at the table to describe this creamy bacon potato dumpling soup she’d just experienced.
That’s the magic of this recipe – it doesn’t just feed hunger, it feeds the soul. It creates moments of connection around the table that linger long after the last spoonful is gone. Whether you’re cooking for a house full of hungry teenagers or just need some comfort after a long day, this bacon cheddar soup delivers that warm hug in a bowl that we all crave sometimes.
I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make it your own. Maybe you’ll add extra vegetables from your garden or use your favorite artisanal cheese. Perhaps you’ll share it with neighbors during the first chilly evening of fall or pack it in thermoses for a picnic adventure. However you choose to enjoy it, I’d love to hear about your experience with this comforting dish.
If you’re looking for more cozy soup inspiration, you might enjoy exploring my other family favorites like this creamy tortellini soup, this green chicken enchilada soup, or this aromatic tom kha gai soup. For those busy weeknights, this quick chicken taco soup comes together in minutes, while this fresh courgette soup celebrates summer’s bounty beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen gnocchi in bacon cheddar soup?
Absolutely! Frozen gnocchi works beautifully in this bacon cheddar gnocchi soup. There’s no need to thaw them first – just add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. The frozen dumplings will cook up just as tender and pillowy as fresh ones, making this rich and chewy bacon cheddar soup just as comforting.
What cheese works best besides cheddar?
While sharp cheddar gives this stovetop cheesy bacon dumpling stew its signature flavor, you can experiment with other melting cheeses. Gruyère adds a lovely nutty complexity, Monterey Jack melts beautifully smoothly, or even smoked Gouda can enhance the smoky bacon notes. For more cheesy soup ideas, check out my creamy broccoli soup which uses a similar cheese base.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
You can easily create a vegetarian version of this one-pot creamy gnocchi with bacon by omitting the bacon and using smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that smoky flavor. Sautéed mushrooms make a wonderful meaty substitute, and vegetable broth works perfectly in place of chicken broth. The result is still incredibly satisfying comfort food soup that everyone can enjoy.
Why did my cheese separate in the soup?
Cheese can separate if added to boiling liquid or if you’re using pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents. Always reduce the heat to low before adding cheese to your bacon cheddar soup, and use freshly grated cheese for the creamiest results. Stir gently and patiently until fully melted and incorporated into your creamy bacon potato dumpling soup.
More Comforting Soup Recipes You’ll Love
Nothing beats curling up with a warm bowl of soup on a chilly evening. These family favorites always bring comfort and joy to our table.
- Hearty Vegetable Lentil Soup – Packed with protein and earthy flavors, this vegetarian delight satisfies even the biggest appetites.
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup – The ultimate hug in a bowl that never fails to soothe and comfort on sick days or cozy nights.
- Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Blend – Velvety smooth with just the right amount of cheese, this vibrant green soup always delights.
- Traditional Minestrone – Bursting with Italian flavors and garden vegetables, this classic feels like a trip to Nonna’s kitchen.
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup – Sweet roasted tomatoes meet fresh basil in this elegant yet simple soup that pairs perfectly with grilled cheese.
- Silky Butternut Squash Soup – Sweet, nutty, and incredibly smooth, this autumn favorite tastes like fall in every spoonful.
