Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Helene Dsouza

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (1)Helene Dsouza

Cheesy goodness at it's best! Quick skillet spaetzle with cheese and caramelized onions.

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

1 serving

4.8 from 9 votes

VIDEO RECIPE

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (2)

Comfort food at large! Cheese Spaetzle noodles are easy to prepare if you have spätzle noodles at home.

Prepare this dinner meal in one pan within minutes!

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (3)

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (4)

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Jump to:
  • 📕 What are Cheese Spätzle?
  • 🔪 How to make Kaesespaetzle?
  • 📜 Variations
  • 🧀 Choice of Cheese
  • 👁️ More cheesy recipes from the region
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

📕 What are Cheese Spätzle?

Cheese Spaetzle are Spätzle noodles prepared with caramelized onions, covered with cheese and served in a pan.

Käsespätzle is the German word which just means cheese spaetzle.

Spätzle noodles are also called German pasta, even though they are very Austrian too.

In fact, this standalone dish in a frying pan is a traditional food dish in the Austrian province Tyrol, neighboring province South Tyrol (Italy), Bavaria and Swabia (Germany).

The Swiss call them Knöpfli, but cheese spaetzle are not a thing there.

Traditionally cheesy Spätzle were prepared in a large skillet because that same skillet was placed in the center of the table and everyone would dig in with their spoons.

People have been making them in casserole dishes too in modern times.

No matter which vessel you choose, your german mac and cheese can be ready in a few steps.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (5)

🔪 How to make Kaesespaetzle?

You can get ready-made spaetzle from Aldi or you can use frozen homemade spaetzle.

Here are 3 basic steps outlined to get you going. The recipe card with all the details is at the bottom of this post.

Step 1

Sauté and caramelize onion slices in butter until they are brown and crisp.

Take onion out of the pan.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (6)

Step 2

Fry spaetzle noodles in pan with butter.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (7)

Step 3

Spread caramelized onions, salt, black pepper and grated cheese over the spaetzle in the pan.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (8)

Step 4

Keep over the heat and cover the pan so that the cheese melts, or place into the oven if you use a cast iron pan.

Serve hot with chopped fresh parsley as a garnish.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (9)

📜 Variations

You can add other ingredients to your egg noodles too! Here are some idea:

  • bacon - cut small and fried crisp with the onion
  • bell pepper
  • sweet or smokey paprika powder
  • spinach - chopped, sauteed and mixed into the noodles
  • wild garlic (aka ransoms weed) - just like the spinach
  • use lard instead of butter
Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (10)

🧀 Choice of Cheese

The cheese is everything in this dish!

The cheese defines the flavor and makes it taste WOW.

You want a flavorful cheese, something like a strong Cheddar, Emmenthal, or evenGruyere or Raclette cheese.

Traditionally, a smelly mountain cheese is used. Something well seasoned, full-bodied, and with a sharp taste.

👁️ More cheesy recipes from the region

  • Cheese Bread Dumplings
  • Beer Cheese Soup

Please feel free to share with us your knowledge and point of view further below in the comment section!

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (12)

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📖 Recipe

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (13)

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe

Cheesy goodness at it's best! Quick skillet spaetzle with cheese and caramelized onions.

4.78 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Austrian, German

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 1193kcal

Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

Ingredients

  • 1 small Onion
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 7 ounce Spaetzle Noodles cooked
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper Ground to aste
  • ½ cup Cheese grated
  • Parsley Fresh or chives fresh chopped

US - Metric

Instructions

  • Cut onion into slices or rings.

  • Heat up a pan and melt 1 tbs butter. Fry onion golden and crispy. Take out onion fro slices/rings the pan and keep aside

  • Bring skillet back to the heat and melt the remaining 1 tbs butter. Add cooked spaetzle noodles to the pan (make sure they are not wet!) and fry noodles on all sides.

  • Season with salt and black pepper. Spread crispy onion over the noodles in the pan.

  • Sprinkle grated cheese over noodles.

  • Keep the skillet over slow heat, cover with a lid and let the cheese melt OR if it's an oven-friendly skillet (check info that came with your skillet) keep in the oven under the grill.

  • Serve hot, garnished with some fresh parsley or green chopped chives.

Notes

Pick a flavorful Cheese such as a full-bodied Cheddar, Emmenthal, Gruyere, Beer Cheese, Alpine Cheese or add a few assorted kinds of cheese in one pan.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe

Amount Per Serving (529 g)

Calories 1193Calories from Fat 405

% Daily Value*

Fat 45g69%

Saturated Fat 27g135%

Cholesterol 120mg40%

Sodium 566mg24%

Potassium 600mg17%

Carbohydrates 155g52%

Fiber 8g32%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 41g82%

Vitamin A 1266IU25%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 465mg47%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Käsespätzle) | Masala Herb (2024)

FAQs

What does Käsespätzle contain? ›

This käsespätzle, also spelled kaese spaetzle, is a tasty homemade pasta tossed with onion and Emmentaler cheese. It's a German version of macaroni and cheese.

What is a Spätzle in German? ›

The word Spätzle literally means “little sparrows” in English but they are also called Knöpfle in Germany because they look like little buttons. You can get them in many different sizes and shapes in Germany.

When was Käsespätzle invented? ›

The dish is a German version of mac 'n cheese. The noodles, however are a little more dense and the dish also has fried onions. Spätzle has a long history and it is not completely clear who the originators where. I believe Spätzle has been around for longer but evidence dates it back to at least 1725.

What does Käsespätzle taste like? ›

It is pretty much the epitome of comfort food. Warm, creamy, cheesy, savory… absolutely delicious! If you aren't already familiar with Käsespätzle, it is a German and Austrian dish that falls somewhere in between mac and cheese and gnocchi.

What do Germans eat with spaetzle? ›

The best side dishes to serve with spaetzle are red cabbage, pork schnitzel, bratwurst, or borscht if you are looking for a classic pairing. For some less traditional options, you can eat spaetzle with sauteed zucchini and summer squash, chicken and mushrooms, or carrot fries.

Where did Käsespätzle come from? ›

Käsespätzle (German for "spätzle with cheese", also called Käsknöpfle in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein or Kasspatzln in Tyrol) is a traditional dish of the German regions of Swabia, Baden and Allgäu, and also in the Austrian regions Vorarlberg and Tyrol, as well as Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

What kind of flour is used in spaetzle? ›

The flour traditionally used for spätzle is bread wheat (not the durum wheat used for Italian pasta); however, a more coarsely milled type is used for spätzle making than for baking. This flour type is known as Dunst, similar to US "first clear" or Czech hrubá type.

What is the English name for spaetzle? ›

Meaning of spaetzle in English

a food, originally from Germany, that is similar to pasta, made with eggs, flour, and milk, and formed into small round or long shapes before being boiled and sometimes fried: Spaetzle may be browned in a little butter before serving.

Do people eat mac and cheese in Germany? ›

While the word might look odd, German käsespätzle is really just their version of mac and cheese, using spätzle, little pasta dumplings. It's easy to make, versatile and kid friendly.

What German food did an Italian invent? ›

Spaghetti ice cream was invented in 1969 by Dario Fontanella, son of an ice cream-making Italian immigrant in Mannheim, Germany.

Is spaetzle Swiss or German? ›

Spaetzle is a kind of an egg noodle pasta dish that is popular in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. It means “l*ttle Sparrows” in old German.

What meat goes well with spaetzle? ›

You often see it with veal or pork, but chicken is also popular and it's my preference for summer. The meat is pounded thin and breaded in a mix of breadcrumbs or panko and quickly fried.

How long does spaetzle keep in the fridge? ›

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the spaetzle to a colander and then plunge them in a bowl of very cold water. This firms them up to the desired consistency. Toss with olive oil or melted butter to keep from sticking. At this point, spaetzle will keep in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days until ready to serve.

Does spaetzle need to be refrigerated? ›

To Make Ahead: Cooked German Spaetzle reheats very well and will keep for several days, stored in a container in the refrigerator. To Freeze: Homemade spaetzle freezes well for 3 or 4 months.

What is spaetzle dumplings made of? ›

They're fun for kids to help make, in a play-doughy kind of way, and all you need is flour, salt, nutmeg, eggs, and milk. Taste: Spatzle taste similar to my beloved egg noodles, with the chewiness of a dumpling.

How is spaetzle different from pasta? ›

While the ingredients to make the two are quite similar, the processes aren't so much. To make pasta, you form a firm dough that is kneaded, rested, rolled and shaped however you like. On the other hand, spaetzle is a sort of sticky, wet batter that doesn't hold it's shape like a ball of pasta dough would.

What are German noodles made of? ›

Spätzle are German homemade egg noodles made from eggs, flour, milk, and butter. Spätzle are prepared using a Spätzle press (what my family grew up using). My Swiss friend likes using a Spätzleschaber (Spätzle grater) like the one, making round little Spätzle called Knopfle.

What is Kasspatzen in English? ›

Käsespätzle (German for "spätzle with cheese", also called Käsknöpfle in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein or Kasspatzln in Tyrol) is a traditional dish of the German regions of Swabia, Baden and Allgäu, and also in the Austrian regions Vorarlberg and Tyrol, as well as Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

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