Save This creamy gnocchi soup is a bowl of pure comfort featuring pillowy potato gnocchi, smoky bacon, sweet vegetables, and a velvety broth that fills your whole kitchen with cozy aroma on a chilly night. It is one of those easy recipes that feels special enough for guests but quick enough for a weeknight dinner.
Every time I make this for friends or family it is a guaranteed hit My youngest loves spotting the spinach ribbons and fighting for the extra bacon bits
Ingredients
- Bacon: gives the soup rich savoriness and a crispy topping Use thick-cut for best flavor and crispy texture
- Yellow onion: for a sweet mellow base Look for a firm onion with shiny papery skin and no soft spots
- Carrots: provide color and natural sweetness Fresh firm carrots that are bright orange work best
- Celery: adds depth and a light herbal note Choose stalks that snap easily and have crisp leaves
- Garlic: infuses the soup with warmth and aromatic flavor Fresh cloves are best
- Potato gnocchi: become deliciously tender and add a pillowy bite Refrigerated or homemade gnocchi hold up better than shelf-stable
- Baby spinach: brings vibrant green color and a subtle earthiness Look for leaves that are dark green unwilted
- Whole milk and heavy cream: combine for a velvety broth Use good-quality dairy It really makes a difference
- Parmesan cheese: for nutty salty complexity Freshly grated melts best and tastes brightest
- Low-sodium chicken broth: creates the soup base Use a broth you enjoy the taste of on its own
- Dried thyme: brings a gentle herby aroma Pick leaves that have a strong scent
- Black pepper: adds a little heat and depth Grind fresh for best flavor
- Salt: to season and balance the soup Add gradually until it tastes just right
- Olive oil: rounds out the sauté and delivers silkiness to the veggies Use extra-virgin if possible
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon:
- Cook chopped bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it is crispy Leave about one tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot and set the rest of the bacon aside on a paper towel This gives you that flavorful foundation and garnish
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add olive oil to the reserved bacon fat in the pot Add diced onion carrots and celery Sauté over medium heat for five to six minutes until everything looks soft and glossy and smells fragrant Stir occasionally so nothing browns too quickly Add minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it smells sweet but not burnt
- Build the Broth:
- Pour in chicken broth then add milk heavy cream and dried thyme Stir everything together and bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer not a rapid boil to keep the milk from curdling The base should look creamy and very fragrant
- Cook the Gnocchi:
- Drop the gnocchi gently into the hot broth Stir and let them cook for three to four minutes only The gnocchi are ready when they rise to the surface and look slightly puffed
- Finish the Soup:
- Stir in the chopped spinach grated Parmesan most of the cooked bacon black pepper and salt Taste as you add salt Cook for two more minutes just until the spinach turns bright green and wilts and the cheese melts into the broth Everything should look silky with flecks of color
- Final Seasoning and Serving:
- Taste again and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking Ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra bacon bits and Parmesan if you want Serve piping hot to enjoy the creamy texture at its best
Save I am always amazed how bacon and Parmesan together turn an ordinary soup into something that tastes like a cozy café lunch It reminds me of winter weekends when my family would pile into the kitchen everyone sneaking crispy bacon bits off the plate before they made it into the soup bowl
Storage Tips
Let leftovers cool completely then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to three days The gnocchi will continue to soften as it sits For longer storage freeze in individual portions leaving a little space in each container for soup to expand Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove adding extra broth or milk to loosen the texture
Ingredient Substitutions
You can swap turkey bacon for regular bacon for a lighter option Try half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slight reduction in richness If you need it gluten free check labels and use gluten free gnocchi Add in sliced mushrooms peas or swap out the spinach for kale if you have some on hand
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with thick slices of homemade or store bought crusty bread Toasted garlic bread on the side is another crowd pleaser It pairs well with a simple green salad and a squeeze of lemon For a more filling dinner top bowls with a poached egg or extra sautéed vegetables
Cultural and Seasonal Context
This soup has roots in Italian potato gnocchi dishes but gets a rich American twist with a creamy broth and bacon It is a great winter or early spring recipe when you want something warming but not heavy You can swap in spring greens or fresh peas in season
Seasonal Adaptations
In spring use baby kale or fresh peas for a lighter take In autumn add a pinch of nutmeg and diced butternut squash In winter stir in extra Parmesan and crispy sage leaves for coziness
Success Stories
My best friend made this for her book club and none of the leftovers survived Her tip was to double the bacon so every bowl got plenty of crunchy topping Another reader told me this recipe helped her get her picky kids to willingly eat spinach for the first time
Freezer Meal Conversion
Prepare the soup base and leave out the gnocchi and spinach until reheating When ready to serve bring the soup to a simmer add gnocchi and spinach and cook until done This way the gnocchi do not get mushy in the freezer
Save This soup really brings comfort to chilly nights and is sure to put smiles on everyone around your table. Enjoy every cozy spoonful.
Recipe FAQ Section
- → How can I make this soup lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use turkey bacon for less fat while keeping the soup creamy.
- → Can I use homemade gnocchi?
Absolutely! Fresh homemade gnocchi adds a delicate texture, but store-bought works well and saves time.
- → Is this soup gluten-free?
Check that your gnocchi is gluten-free; otherwise, the dish will contain gluten. Always verify packaging.
- → What can I add for more vegetables?
Chopped mushrooms or peas are tasty additions. Swap in kale or other greens for extra color and nutrition.
- → How long does it take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes, with just 15 minutes needed for prep and easy step-by-step cooking.
- → Which bread pairs well?
Crusty sourdough or a warm baguette soak up the creamy broth and complement the soup’s savory notes.
- → Does it reheat well?
Reheat gently on the stove to preserve the soup's creamy texture. Add a splash of broth if needed.