Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup

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Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup is a rich and creamy comfort-food recipe loaded with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, tender potato gnocchi and plenty of cheddar cheese.

All the flavours of a bacon cheeseburger come together in one warm and satisfying soup.

This hearty ground beef soup is ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Top each bowl with crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar and chopped green onions for an easy dinner the whole family will love.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Quick and easy: This hearty soup is ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• One-pot recipe: Everything cooks in the same pot for simple preparation and fewer dishes.
• Classic cheeseburger flavour: Ground beef, bacon, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cheddar deliver all the flavours of a loaded bacon cheeseburger.
• Extra hearty: Tender potato gnocchi makes this creamy soup filling enough to serve as a complete meal.
• Family-friendly: Familiar ingredients and comforting flavours make this a dinner the whole family can enjoy.
• Easy to customize: Finish each bowl with extra bacon, shredded cheddar or chopped green onions.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Bacon: Chop the bacon before cooking so it crisps evenly. The rendered bacon grease also adds extra smoky flavour to the ground beef and onions.
• Ground beef: Lean ground beef works well because it provides plenty of flavour without making the soup overly greasy. Be sure to drain any excess fat after browning.
• Onion: Diced yellow onion adds sweetness and savoury flavour. Cook it with the ground beef until softened.
• Garlic: Fresh chopped garlic adds another layer of flavour to the creamy soup base. Jarred minced garlic can be used as a convenient substitute.
• Seasonings: Yellow mustard, onion powder, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce create the classic cheeseburger flavour.
• Butter: Butter combines with the flour to create a roux, which thickens the soup and gives it a smooth texture.
• All-purpose flour: Flour thickens the broth and cream mixture. Cook it with the melted butter for a few minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth creates a flavourful base without overpowering the cheeseburger ingredients. Reduced-sodium broth can help you control the salt level.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream makes the broth rich, smooth and velvety. Half-and-half may be used for a slightly lighter soup, but the broth will not be quite as thick.
• Potato gnocchi: Shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi both work well. The gnocchi are ready when they are tender and begin floating to the surface.
• Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Sharp cheddar provides the boldest flavour, but mild or medium cheddar will also work.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I dropped the chopped bacon into a large pot over medium-high heat and cooked it until crispy.

Then I transferred the cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate.

 STEP 2: 

I dropped the ground beef in the pot and broke it apart.

I also added chopped onions to the pot.

 STEP 3: 

I continued cooking the ground beef and onions until the ground beef was fully browned.

 STEP 4: 

I added chopped garlic, yellow mustard, onion powder, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to the pot.

I stirred well continued cooking for a few minutes.

 STEP 5: 

I added butter to the pot and stirred until it was fully melted.

Then I added flour to the pot and stirred well.

I allowed the flour to cook for a few minutes.

 STEP 6: 

I added chicken broth to the pot and stirred until it thickened up a bit.

 STEP 7: 

I added heavy cream to the pot and stirred well again.

I left the soup to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

 STEP 8: 

After 15 minutes, I added the gnocchi to the pot and stirred well.

I left the soup to continue simmering until the gnocchi was tender and floated to the top.

Every spoonful of this Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup is loaded with tender gnocchi, seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon and melted cheddar in a thick, velvety broth.

Serve it piping hot with extra bacon, cheese and green onions on top for a cozy, satisfying meal that tastes like pure comfort in a bowl.

If you are looking for the perfect family friendy soup recipe for busy weeknights, then you need to try this Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup!

• Cook the bacon until crispy. Crispy bacon adds the best texture and smoky flavour. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate so it stays crisp until you add it back to the soup.
• Drain the ground beef well. Removing the excess grease keeps the soup rich and creamy without making it oily.
• Cook the flour for the full three minutes. This removes the raw flour taste and helps create a smooth, thick soup base.
• Add the broth gradually. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
• Stir the soup regularly. The creamy broth can stick to the bottom of the pot as it thickens, so give it a good stir every few minutes.
• Don’t overcook the gnocchi. Add them near the end and cook just until tender and floating. Overcooked gnocchi can become too soft.
• Shred your own cheddar. Cheese grated from a block melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking ingredients.
• Keep extra toppings for serving. Reserve some crispy bacon, cheddar and green onions so everyone can load up their own bowl.

Substitutions and Variations

• Ground beef: Substitute ground turkey, ground chicken or mild Italian sausage. Keep in mind that sausage will change the classic cheeseburger flavour.
• Gnocchi: Refrigerated, shelf-stable or frozen potato gnocchi will work. Cook until tender according to the package directions.
• Cheddar cheese: Use mild, medium or sharp cheddar depending on how bold you want the cheese flavour. A cheddar blend can also be used.
• Heavy cream: Substitute half-and-half for a slightly lighter soup. The broth may be a little thinner but will still be creamy.
• Chicken broth: Beef broth can be used for a deeper, beefier flavour. Choose reduced-sodium broth if you want more control over the seasoning.
• Add vegetables: Stir in diced carrots, celery, mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions for extra flavour and texture.
• Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
• Add pickle flavour: Top each bowl with finely chopped dill pickles or add a small splash of pickle juice to the finished soup.
• Turn it into a deluxe cheeseburger soup: Add diced tomatoes, chopped pickles and shredded lettuce as toppings just before serving.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free gnocchi, replace the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and confirm that the broth, Worcestershire sauce and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of ground beef should I use?

• Lean ground beef works best because it provides plenty of flavour without making the soup overly greasy. Drain any excess fat after browning the beef.

Can I use refrigerated gnocchi?

• Yes. Refrigerated, shelf-stable or frozen potato gnocchi can all work in this soup. Cooking times may vary, so cook the gnocchi until tender and follow the package directions when needed.

How do I know when the gnocchi are cooked?

• The gnocchi are usually ready when they are tender and float to the surface of the soup. Avoid simmering them for too long because they can become overly soft.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

• Yes, but freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking ingredients that may give the broth a slightly grainy texture.

Can I substitute the heavy cream?

• You can replace the heavy cream with half-and-half, although the soup will be slightly thinner and less rich. Milk is not recommended because it may not create the same creamy consistency.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

• Yes, but gnocchi will continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits. For the best texture, prepare the soup base ahead and add the gnocchi and cheddar shortly before serving.

How should I store leftovers?

• Store the cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The broth will thicken during storage, so you may need to add a splash of broth or cream when reheating.

What is the best way to reheat it?

• Reheat the soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Avoid boiling it because high heat may cause the creamy cheese broth to separate.

Can I freeze Cheeseburger Gnocchi Soup?

• Freezing is not recommended because the cream-based broth can separate and the gnocchi may become mushy after thawing.

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