Cheesy German Spaetzle

Cheesy Spaetzle is a delicious German pasta recipe that’s perfect as a side or an appetizer. Make a homemade dough, press it, and cook!

We have a wonderful group of friends who get together once per month for our Dinner Club. Of course, during the COVID19 quarantine, we put our get-togethers on hold. But, our idea this year was to choose a different country or region and cook foods related to that each month. Our last country was Germany, and one of our friends brought some delicious homemade cheesy spaetzle.

I had never had or even heard of spaetzle before this. It’s a type of pasta dish that is popular in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and surrounding areas. I was excited to try it because my family has Hungarian heritage.

Let me tell you, it was amazing! I went back for seconds and even thirds. Plus, I kept a bit to reheat the next day for leftovers.

About a month later, I got the craving for some cheesy spaetzle again. This time, though, we didn’t have our friend coming over to make it for us. So, Justin and I tried to make our own. When I was researching the recipe, I found that there is a tool made for spaetzle. We didn’t think it would be a big deal and decided to use a metal colander. Trust me, splurge on the spaetzle maker!

Using the metal colander worked, but it was not easy. It also took two of us. One person had to hold the colander while the other forced the pasta dough through it.

But, it is doable! Though I won’t be making this again until I get a spaetzle tool.

Spaetzle Step by Step

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 quarts water
• 12 oz provolone cheese (torn)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Add the flour and 1 tsp of salt to the stand mixer bowl. Stir to combine with the wire whisk.

Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.

Use a spoon to make a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Pour the whisked eggs into this well then add the milk.

Use the dough hook to knead the dough for about 15 minutes on speed 2. Use a wooden spoon to pull a bit of the dough up and test if it is stretchy.

Add the water and salt to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Use a spaetzle press or a metal colander and spoon to press the dough through the holes and into the simmering water. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the noodles start to float to the top.

Drain the noodles and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process.

Place the pasta in a bowl with some ice water.

In a 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the spaetzle noodles. Top with half of the cheese.

Repeat with another layer of spaetzle and top with the remaining cheese.

Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Spaetzle Leftovers

Storage: Any leftover cheesy spaetzle can be stored in the refrigerator.

Reheating: Reheat in a casserole dish in the oven. Add a bit of milk, if needed, to make it creamy again.

Recipe

Cheesy German Spaetzle

Cheesy Spaetzle is a delicious German pasta recipe that's perfect as a side or an appetizer. Make a homemade dough, press it, and cook!

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Course:

Side Dish

Cuisine:

American

|

German

Keyword:

cheese

|

dough

|

pasta

Servings: 6 cups

5 from 5 votes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 quarts water
• 12 oz provolone cheese (torn)

Recommended Equipment

• Stand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel
• Wooden Spoon
• Colander
• Spaetzle Press
• Glass Baking Dish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400F
• Add the flour and 1 tsp of salt to the stand mixer bowl
• Stir to combine with the wire whisk
• Whisk the eggs in a small bowl
• Use a spoon to make a well in the middle of the flour mixture
• Pour the whisked eggs into this well then add the milk
• Use the dough hook to knead the dough for about 15 minutes on speed 2
• Use a wooden spoon to pull a bit of the dough up and test if it is stretchy
• Add the water and salt to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat
• Use a spaetzle press or a metal colander and spoon to press the dough through the holes and into the simmering water
• Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the noodles start to float to the top
• Drain the noodles and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process
• Place the pasta in a bowl with ice water
• In a 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the spaetzle noodles
• Top with half of the cheese
• Repeat with another layer of spaetzle and top with the remaining cheese
• Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted
• Serve warm

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Nutrition Facts

Cheesy German Spaetzle

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 443 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Cholesterol 150mg50%

Sodium 1145mg48%

Potassium 201mg6%

Carbohydrates 42g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 690IU14%

Calcium 485mg49%

Iron 3mg17%

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

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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