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    You are Here: Masala Herb » Recipes

    The Alpine Comfort Food That Gives Mac and Cheese a Run for Its Money

    by Helene Dsouza

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    • Bluesky
    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
    RECIPE
    strings of cheese on spaetzle

    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!

    cheesy spaetzle noodles in a pan close up
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    Jump to:
    • What are Cheese Spätzle?
    • Process Overview
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Variations
    • Choice of Cheese
    • More cheesy recipes from the region
    • 💬 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.

    bird's eyes view of cheese spätzle in a skillet

    Process Overview

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

    Step 1

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

    Take the onion out of the pan.

    fry onions crisp

    Step 2

    Fry spaetzle noodles in a pan with butter.

    fry spaetzle in butter

    Step 3

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

    top spaetzle with onion, seasoning and cheese

    Step 4

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

    Serve hot with chopped fresh parsley as a garnish.

    cover the pan to melt cheese

    📖 Recipe

    strings of cheese on spaetzle

    Cheese Spaetzle Recipe

    Cheesy goodness at it's best! Quick skillet spaetzle with cheese and caramelized onions.
    4.72 from 7 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 1193 Calories 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.

    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
    spaetzle cooked in pan with caramelized onions and melted cheese

    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 even Gruyere 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
    • Cheese and Sausage Salad
    Cheese Spaetzle pin

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    I am Helene, and I created Masala Herb in 2011. Here you will learn to cook with spices and herbs. I share from scratch, international food recipes and my mission is to teach you to cook flavorful food at home. Read More…

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    4.72 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome

    Hi there! I'm Helene and here you will learn how to cook with spices and herbs. Discover global food and learn to season your food like a pro. Read more about my work and mission or head over to my food ingredient space, Unknownbite.com, and our travel space, Paulmarina.com!

    More About Me ->
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