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)

Global Food Recipes

with Spices and Herbs

Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!

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)

Global Food Recipes

with Spices and Herbs

Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!

00

Days

:

00

Hours

:

19

Minutes

:

59

Seconds

You missed out!

📖 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 the difference between spaetzle and knöpfle? ›

In everyday language usage, the two names refer to the same product made from the same dough and are interchangeable. There is no clear distinction between how the two names are used, and usage varies from region to region (for example, in Alsace, knöple are typically larger than spätzle).

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.

What's the difference between pasta and Spätzle? ›

The difference between pasta, noodles, and Spätzle is that Spaetzle is made from a runny dough that is added to water whereas pasta is made from harder dough that can be cut and formed. Spaetzle are cut fresh and are cooked straight away in simmering water, whereas pasta dough needs to rest.

What does Käsespätzle taste like? ›

Spätzle (or Knöpfle) are a type of egg noodle that is popular in Germany and Austria. They taste similar to egg noodles, with the chewiness of a dumpling, and are usually served as a side for meat dishes with gravy. The main ingredients are flour, eggs, salt, and water or milk.

What type of flour is best for spaetzle? ›

You can make spätzle with only rye flour, but they will look better if you add some wheat or spelled flour. Rye flour should be very health-promoting. Whole-wheat flour does not have a type designation, because this is where the whole grain is ground.

What kind of flour is used in spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle Ingredients

Flour – All-purpose flour will work. If you only have bread flour, you will need to add 5% more water. Water – Tap water works fine with this. Salt – I like to use sea salt, but any salt will do.

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 is a little sparrow in German? ›

That's a lot of spätzle! Some say the name comes from the word Spatzen, which means “l*ttle sparrows.” Why?

What goes good 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.

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 is the difference between kluski and spaetzle? ›

Kluski — The name kluski, which we use for straight, thick egg noodles, is simply the Polish word for "noodle." These are especially good in soup or served as a side dish simply dressed with butter and parsley. Spaetzle — This homemade German noodle can be found in dry form, but it's easy to cook fresh with your meal.

What's the difference between gnocchi and spaetzle? ›

Gnocchi are dumplings made/shaped by hand from a potato dough, and boiled like pasta. (See history).. Spaetzle is made from a more fluid batter (think pancake batter consistency)with egg, milk/cream, and flour. Not a potato in sight.

What does a Spätzle taste like? ›

Taste: Spatzle taste similar to my beloved egg noodles, with the chewiness of a dumpling.

What is spaetzle dumplings made of? ›

In a large bowl, stir the flour, eggs, milk and salt until smooth (dough will be sticky). In a large saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Pour dough into a colander or spaetzle maker coated with cooking spray; place over boiling water.

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.

Is spaetzle high in carbs? ›

Bechtle Traditional German Egg Pasta Spaetzle (1 serving) contains 39g total carbs, 37g net carbs, 1.5g fat, 7g protein, and 200 calories.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5464

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.