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Schwäbische Maultaschen (German Meat and Spinach Dumplings)
A recipe for Schwäbische Maultaschen (German Meat and Spinach Dumplings)! This incredibly versatile Swabian stuffed pasta is filled with a savory mixture of meat and spinach.
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 6 -8 Servings
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
German
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4-1/2 cup (60-120 milliliters) water
Pork and Spinach Filling:
- 1 pound fresh spinach tough stems removed
- 2 day old rolls about 130 grams, 4.5 ounces
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion peeled and finely minced
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 12 ounces (340 grams) ground beef, pork, or a combination
- 8 ounces (227 grams) raw bratwurst casing removed and crumbled
- 1/2 cup (20 grams) fresh parsley finely chopped
- salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
To Serve:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
- broth
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
To make the pasta:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Mix in the eggs and slowly add just enough water to form a soft dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth. If still too crumbly to come together, add a little more water. If too sticky to handle, add a little more flour.
- Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Cup of Yum
To form the filling:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and cook just until blanched, about 1 minute.
- Drain and set aside to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze excess water out of the leaves and finely chop.
- Chop the rolls into small cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the milk and allow the bread to soak while you prepare the rest of the filling.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the beef or pork, crumbled bratwurst, parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the finely chopped spinach and the cooled onion garlic mixture.
- Squeeze the milk from the cubes of bread and crumble into the bowl.
- Add the eggs and combine to create an evenly distributed filling.
To form the Maultaschen:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water.
- Divide the dough into four equal pieces.
- Place one piece on a floured work surface and cover the remainder. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll the dough into a thin sheet using a pasta machine or rolling pin, until it is about 1/16th inch (1.5 millimeter) thick.
- To form individual squares: Cut the sheet of pasta into 3-4 inch (7.5-10 centimeter) squares.
- Place a spoonful of the pork and spinach filling in the center of the square, leaving about 1/4-1/2 inch (6-12.5 millimeters) free around the edges.
- Brush the edges with the beaten egg wash and fold the square of pasta over, sealing the edges.
- If desired, press a fork around the edges to seal well. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- To form strudel-like Maultaschen: After rolling the dough into a thin sheet, spread the filling lengthwise across the sheet, leaving about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 centimeters) free on each side.
- Brush the free edges with the egg wash and roll up the dough tightly, long side to long side, pressing out any air.
- Use a wooden handle to press down on the roll of dough and create dumplings, about 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart. Cut along the separated, pressed down edges to form the individual Maultaschen and arrange in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat to a light simmer and cook the Maultaschen, a few at a time to not overcrowd, until floating on the top and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Serve in broth with fresh herbs or slice and pan-fry in butter with caramelized onions.