Käsespätzle (German Cheese Spaetzle)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
421 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
German
Käsespätzle (German Cheese Spaetzle)
Description
This Käsespätzle recipe relies on cooked spätzle pasta layered repeatedly with shredded Emmentaler cheese and caramelized onions cooked slowly in butter with salt and sugar to develop sweetness and depth. The layered casserole is baked at 400°F until the cheese is melted thoroughly and the edges gain a light crispness from baking.
The caramelized onions add a rich, sweet contrast to the nutty, melty cheese, while the soft spätzle provides a tender, pillowy base. Baking allows the flavors to meld and the top layer of cheese and onion to form a slightly golden crust. The layered approach ensures each bite combines pasta, cheese, and onion in balanced amounts.
This dish serves well immediately, offering a comforting and filling meal. It also reheats well, making it suitable for leftovers. The recipe notes that using at least three onions yields better caramelization and flavor intensity.
Ingredients
- 1 spätzle pasta about 5 cups cooked Spätzle, can use store-bought if preferred), can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready use, then let warm to room temperature before baking, homemade batch
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 onion chopped (the more caramelized onions the better so I go with at least 3!, large
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 12 ounces Emmentaler cheese you can also add some Gruyere for extra flavor, or Jarlsberg (Swiss-like from Norway, mild), shredded
- salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9x13 (or a little smaller) casserole dish.
- To make the caramelized onions: Melt the butter in a medium-sized heavy stock pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions and stir occasionally for 20-30 minutes until deeply caramelized. Halfway into it sprinkle with a little salt and sugar to help with the caramelizing. Get the onions nice and brown.
- Layer 1/3 of the Spätzle in the bottom of the dish followed by 1/3 of the cheese and 1/3 of the caramelized onions. Repeat, sprinkling each layer with some salt, ending with cheese and onions on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes or longer until the cheese is melted and the edges are just beginning to get a little crispy.Serve immediately. This makes great leftovers!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 421 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 421kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 67g | 22% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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