German Käsespätzle
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
45 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
523 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer, Lunch
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Cuisine
German
German Käsespätzle
Description
Käsespätzle features small, soft noodles made from a batter of flour, nutmeg, eggs, cream, and buttermilk, seasoned with salt. The noodles are cooked fresh by dripping batter into boiling salted water, forming soft dumplings. Meanwhile, onions are caramelized slowly in butter with thyme and honey until golden and sweet, adding depth to the dish.
The cooked spätzle are layered or combined with shredded gruyere (or Swiss) cheese and the caramelized onions, then baked in a casserole dish to melt the cheese and develop a slightly browned top. Chopped chives or parsley are sprinkled for a fresh accent. This mixture balances creamy, cheesy richness with the sweetness of onions and an herby, lightly spiced note from thyme and nutmeg.
Käsespätzle serves well as a hearty main or side and can be reheated gently in an oven at moderate temperature. Variations include replacing shredded chicken with mushrooms or bacon, and mixing spätzle with pesto for added flavor and color, such as arugula or parsley pesto.
Ingredients
- ¾ pound chicken shredded, or pheasant, cooked
- 4 cups onion about 2 large, sliced root to tip
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
- 2 to 4 teaspoons honey
SPATZLE
- 2 cups flour
- nutmeg about ¼ teaspoon, a few gratings
- 2 egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup buttermilk
- salt a healthy pinch
TO FINISH
- 5 ounces gruyere cheese shredded, or Swiss cheese
- ¼ cup chives chopped, or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, and grease a casserole dish or ramekins.
- Caramelize the onions. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and sauté the onions until they begin to brown on the edges. Then turn the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Toward the end of this time, stir in the thyme and honey. When the onions are pretty and brown, turn off the heat and set aside.
- You can make the spätzle while the onions are cooking. Mix all the spätzle ingredients together into a batter that should be a bit thicker than pancake batter. Bring to a boil a large pot of water and salt it well.
- To make the spätzle, use a spätzle hopper—easy to get on Amazon.com for less than $20—or use a colander with wide holes. Add the batter to the hopper or the colander, hold it over the simmering water, and drip the batter into the water (if you’re using a colander, a rubber spatula will help move the batter through the holes). You’ll be making lots of little dumplings. Let them boil on the surface for a minute or two, then scoop the dumplings out with a slotted spoon and arrange them on a baking sheet to cool. Coat them with a little butter or oil to keep them from sticking together.
- Make the dish by layering some spätzle, then pheasant meat, then caramelized onions, then a bit of the chopped herbs, then cheese into the casserole dish or ramekins. Shoot for at least two layers—three is better—and be sure that shredded cheese is on top.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
Notes
- Käsespätzle reheats well in an ovenproof container covered, heated at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
- Substitute shredded chicken with cooked mushrooms or crispy bacon for variations.
- Mixing the spätzle with pesto (such as arugula or parsley pesto) adds flavor and color.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 523 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 523kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 243mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 455mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 780IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 344mg | 34% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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