Description
Cheesy Gnocchi Soup is a comforting and creamy one-pot meal featuring tender potato gnocchi cooked in a rich broth with sautéed vegetables and lots of melted sharp cheddar cheese. This soup is quick to prepare, perfect for warming up on chilly days, and can be customized with fresh spinach for a pop of color and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauté Base
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Soup
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (500 grams; can use up to 1 ½ pounds or 750 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated from the block)
Optional Add-ins and Garnish
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (optional)
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (optional; but encouraged)
- Additional salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Vegetables: Add the butter to a large saucepan or Dutch oven and melt over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Broth and Bring to Boil: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the broth to a boil.
- Cook Gnocchi: Once boiling, add the potato gnocchi and cook for 4 minutes until they float and are tender.
- Add Dairy and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, whole milk, salt, dry mustard powder, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer and Thicken: When the soup returns to a low boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5-7 minutes. This allows the soup to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
- Melt Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the soup and stir until completely melted and creamy. Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove.
- Add Spinach (Optional): Stir in the fresh chopped spinach if using. The residual heat will gently wilt the greens without overcooking.
- Finish with Parmesan and Seasoning: Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and stir just until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
- This easy one-pot recipe combines creamy broth, tender gnocchi, and sharp cheddar cheese for an indulgent yet simple soup.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting quality and flavor.
- Fresh spinach adds a handy veggie boost but can be omitted or substituted with kale.
- Low sodium chicken broth helps control the salt level; adjust salt to taste.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1532 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
