What is Käsespätzle?
Käsespätzle are the German version of macaroni and cheese (in a way!). They are made with soft homemade noodles known as spaetzle. These noodles are coated in melted Emmentaler cheese and are topped with caramelized onions. This makes a rich and very delicious dish, that everyone will love.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Get updates on the latest posts and more from EasyWorldRecipes straight to your inbox.
First Name (optional)
Website
Your Email…
Subscribe
We use your personal data for interest-based advertising, as outlined in our Privacy Notice.
My Latest Videos
Käsespätzle is popular all across southern Germany and Austria. It is often served with schnitzel or crispy bacon, or is served on it’s own. Doesn’t matter if you wan’t to eat it on its own or as a side dish, Käsespätzle is the ultimate comfort food.
Why I Love This Recipe?
This Käsespätzle is German comfort food at its best! The homemade spaetzle noodles are so easy to make, and they’re a perfect base for all that gooey, melted Emmentaler cheese.
You can add in the sweet and golden caramelized onions, and you’ve got a dish that’s so delicious and literally irresistable. It’s perfect for colder days, family dinners or even at Oktoberfest celebrations.
Think of it as the German take on mac and cheese. It’s rich, cheesy, and so satisfying. Once you try it, you’ll never look at pasta the same way again! Let me show you how to make them with this simple recipe!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions for Käsespätzle
Flour: All-purpose flour is the base for the Spaetzle dough. You can swap it with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic texture, but this is not a traditional way of preparing this dish.
Eggs and Milk: These bring the soft, tender texture to the Spaetzle noodles. They’re what make this dish so comforting!
Emmentaler Cheese: The star of the show! Emmentaler melts very good, but you can also use Gruyère or sharp Cheddar for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.
Butter: Is essential for sautéing the onions so that they can be perfectly caramelized and golden. It adds richness to every bite.
Onions: Caramelized onions are a must. They add a sweet and savory depth that balances all that cheesy goodness.
Nutmeg and Salt: A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle, earthy warmth, while salt ties all the flavors together.
Tools You’ll Need
Spaetzle Press or Potato Ricer: To form the spaetzle noodles.
Large Pot: For boiling the spaetzle.
Colander: To drain the noodles.
Cheese Grater: For grating the Emmentaler cheese.
Frying Pan: To caramelize the onions and combine the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Spaetzle dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, eggs, milk, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky. Let it rest for 10 minutes. This step helps the dough settle and makes it easier to work with.
Cook the Spaetzle: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Using a Spaetzle press or potato ricer, press small portions of the dough into the water.
You can also put the dough on a cutting board and scrape it with a knife straight into the boiling water if you don’t have any of the utensils, or you can drizzle the dough straight from the spoon into the water.
The noodles are ready when they float to the surface, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and transfer to a colander to drain.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Get updates on the latest posts and more from EasyWorldRecipes straight to your inbox.
First Name (optional)
Website
Your Email…
Subscribe
We use your personal data for interest-based advertising, as outlined in our Privacy Notice.
Caramelize the onions: Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown and caramelized. This takes about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Combine the Käsespätzle: Add the cooked Spaetzle to the pan with the caramelized onions. Stir in the grated Emmentaler cheese until it melts and coats the noodles. For a crispy finish, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Serve: Serve the Käsespätzle hot, topped with extra caramelized onions if you like. It’s a cozy dish that works as a side for schnitzel or as a satisfying main course on its own. Perfect comfort food!
German Käsespätzle In a pan.
German Käsespätzle
Expert Tips for Perfect Käsespätzle
Use a Spaetzle Press for Easy Noodles: If you don’t have a spaetzle press, a potato ricer or even a colander can work to create small, evenly sized noodles.
Caramelize Slowly: Take your time caramelizing the onions. The deep, sweet flavor from properly caramelized onions makes a big difference in this dish.
Customize the Cheese: While Emmentaler is traditional, you can mix it up with other cheeses like Gruyère, Swiss, or even Cheddar to add more depth to the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Käsespätzle is the perfect side dish for many German meals, especially when paired with schnitzel or bratwurst. You can also serve it with a crisp German cucumber salad or alongside crispy bacon for added texture.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Get updates on the latest posts and more from EasyWorldRecipes straight to your inbox.
First Name (optional)
Website
Your Email…
Subscribe
We use your personal data for interest-based advertising, as outlined in our Privacy Notice.
For a more traditional meal, serve it with German Jägerschnitzel or a Bratwurst with Sauerkraut. It also pairs wonderfully with a cold German beer or a glass of Riesling.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can make the spaetzle noodles ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat the spaetzle in a frying pan with butter.
Leftover Käsespätzle can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stove with a little bit of butter or in the oven.
Recommended
Recommended Content
Authentic German Spaetzle Recipe (Spätzle)
Recommended Content
Crispy German Potato Pancakes Recipe (Kartoffelpuffer)
Recommended Content
Authentic German Bratkartoffeln (Pan-Fried Potatoes) Recipe
Käsespätzle In a bowl.
Authentic Käsespätzle (German Macaroni and Cheese) Recipe
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
No reviews
Author: Laura Total Time: 45 minutes Yield: 4 servings 1x
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
This Käsespätzle recipe is simple, rich, and full of flavor! Soft egg noodles layered with gooey cheese make it a comforting dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Units USM
Scale
1x
2x
3x
For the Spaetzle:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp salt
Pinch of nutmeg
Water (for boiling)
For the Cheese and Onions:
2 cups grated Emmentaler cheese
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, salt, and nutmeg until smooth. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Cook the spaetzle: Press the dough through a spaetzle press into boiling salted water. Cook until the noodles float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Drain.
Sauté the onions: In a large frying pan, melt the butter and cook the onions over medium heat until they are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Stir frequently.
Combine with cheese: Add the cooked spaetzle to the pan with the onions. Stir in the grated cheese until it melts and coats the noodles.
Serve hot: Serve the Käsespätzle immediately, topped with extra caramelized onions if desired.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
First Name (optional)
Website
Your Email…
Save This Recipe
We use your personal data for interest-based advertising, as outlined in our Privacy Notice.
Notes
You can substitute Emmentaler cheese with Gruyère or Swiss cheese for a different flavor profile.
Add crispy bacon for an extra savory twist.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main dish
Cuisine: German
Nutrition
Calories: 490Sodium: 650mgFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 21g
Did you make this recipe?
Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!
Nutrition information
This website gives estimated nutritional information, which might change depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make Käsespätzle without a spaetzle press?
Yes, you can use a potato ricer or colander to create small noodles. Simply press the dough through the holes into boiling water.
What type of cheese is best for Käsespätzle?
Emmentaler is the traditional choice, but you can also use Gruyère, Swiss, or sharp Cheddar for a more robust flavor.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the spaetzle noodles ahead and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the noodles in a frying pan with butter.
