Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (2024)

Do you sometimes enjoy spaghetti, tortellini, or fusilli as part of a nice dinner? Well, now is your chance to enjoy a delightful specialty from southern Germany instead.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (1)

Beware: spaetzle should not be confused with Italian macaroni! The Swabians are very proud of their flagship dish, with its own centuries-long tradition.

The dough is what makes all the difference between better-known types of pasta and this recipe. The Swabian version is more moist, softer, and it would tear apart if you tried to work it and roll the dough like pasta.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (2)

You can actually trace the documented preparation of spaetzle back to the 18th century, with written records going back as far as 1725, and perhaps even earlier.

Believe it or not, the traditional food even had it own poem. No surprise, when you consider that the name could be a diminutive form of the German word for sparrow (Spatz). Quite a charming history, don’t you think?

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (3)

This dish is traditionally prepared by hand, with a wooden board and a kitchen scraper.

This might require some practice, but you shouldn’t worry too much since the individual pieces are meant to look a bit rustic. After a few attempts, you should be able to scrape your homemade spaetzle perfectly.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (4)

Be sure to also check out our recipe for Swabian “pockets,” which are similar to ravioli (just don’t tell that to anyone from Stuttgart!) and their version of the potato dumpling.

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Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (5)

Original German Swabian Spaetzle

★★★★★5 from 1 review
  • Author: Nina-Kristin Isensee
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 people 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Are you ready for some fabulous fare from the “old country?” Try German spaetzle! This German noodle dish can be prepared many different ways but our recipe uses the Swabian variation of adding sautéed onions and cheese for yummy comfort that’s quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 9 oz all purpose flour ((about 2 cups))
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp water
  • butter (to taste)
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Basic Noodles

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. While this is heating, sift the flour into a bowl.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the salt and water.
  3. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour and whisk together by hand or using an electric mixer until the batter is well beaten and bubbly, without any clumps of flour.
  4. Using a spaetzle maker or cutting board and bench scraper (or a long, think chef’s knife) spread a thin layer of dough onto the board and slowly scrape strips directly into the boiling water.
  5. After 3-5 minutes, the first spaetzle that were added to the pot will begin bobbing to the top. This means they are cooked. They can be taken out with a skimmer and put into a colander to drain.
  6. Toss to coat with butter and add a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Optional Frying and Topping

  1. Lightly pan fry in butter until light brown and a bit crispy.
  2. Serve sprinkled with grated cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped fresh herbs, or sautéed onions.

Notes

These noodle are fairly easy to make, especially if you have astand mixer to assistin the preparation of the dough.

Note: dietary information calculated for basic noodles only. No toppings were included.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: German

Keywords: German Food, Oktoberfest, Pasta, Swabian

Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prepare the Dough

While you bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove, it’s time to prepare the dough.

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, and set it aside. In another smaller bowl, combine the eggs, salt, and water. I like to stir these together into fully combined, using a large balloon whisk.

Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour, whisking together completely between each addition. Continue to mix until the batter is well aerated and bubbly, and no clumps of flour remain.

Step 2 – Scrape the Spaetzle

You’re ready to make some macaroni! If you have a spaetzle maker, now’s the time to use it. These come in a variety of shapes and materials, but this usually consists of a top piece for pouring the dough into, and a bottom piece with holes for extruding the dough that looks something like a box grater.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (6)

If you don’t have one of these, no problem – it’s simple to use other multipurpose kitchen tools that you already have on hand, like I do here. Grab a cutting board and a bench scraper, or a long chef’s knife.

What you want to do is place your thick batter onto the board, and scrape just a thin stripe to end edge, and directly into your pot of boiling water. Continue to do this until you have done this with all of the mixture.

Step 3 – Boil and Drain

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (7)

Within just a few minutes, your noodles will begin rising to the top of the bubbling water, a good indicator that they are finished cooking. Remove them carefully with a skimmer or slotted spoon, and place them into a colander if you like, to continue draining.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (8)

Step 4 – Serve!

Toss with butter and a sprinkling of salt and pepper, and serve immediately. Or, you can add an extra step like I have done here and lightly pan fry in butter until light brown and a bit crispy. Serve sprinkled with grated cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped fresh herbs, or sautéed onions.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (9)

Do you have a favorite German-style noodle or method of serving it? Share with us, in the comments!

Originally posted March 23, 2015. Revised and updated August 15, 2018. Photos by Nina-Kristin Isensee, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (10)

About Nina-Kristin Isensee

Nina lives in Iserlohn, Germany and holds an MA in Art History (Medieval and Renaissance Studies). She is currently working as a freelance writer in various fields. She enjoys travel, photography, cooking, and baking. Nina tries to cook from scratch every day when she has the time and enjoys trying out new spices and ingredients, as well as surprising her family with new cake creations.

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Best German Swabian Spaetzle Recipe: Fab Fare From the Old County | Foodal (2024)

FAQs

How long does spaetzle keep in the fridge? ›

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the spaetzle to a colander and then plunge them in a bowl of very cold water. This firms them up to the desired consistency. Toss with olive oil or melted butter to keep from sticking. At this point, spaetzle will keep in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days until ready to serve.

What is German spaetzle made of? ›

Spätzle is a type of pasta or dumpling or noodles. Spätzle dough typically consists of few ingredients, principally eggs, flour, and salt. The Swabian rule of thumb is to use a number of eggs equal to the number of servings, plus one. Water is often added to produce a runnier dough.

What is the best way to reheat spaetzle? ›

Reheat spaetzle in a large sauté pan by frying with a little butter or olive oil and a splash of water. If you prefer buttery spaetzle add a few nuggets of butter to the pan at the end of reheating and toss to coat.

What are the top 3 German dishes? ›

These are considered to be national dishes. Of all these regional and national dishes, Germany is most famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau, but as you can see, there is plenty more to German cuisine than just these.

What meat goes well with spaetzle? ›

You often see it with veal or pork, but chicken is also popular and it's my preference for summer. The meat is pounded thin and breaded in a mix of breadcrumbs or panko and quickly fried.

What goes on top of spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle is basically a blank, buttery canvas that will absorb whatever flavorings you care to mix into it. I've served the dumplings plain with melted butter and chopped chives. I've crisped them in a pan of brown butter and almonds. I've topped them with hearty beef stew.

What should you do after spaetzle has risen to the surface of the boiling water? ›

As the spaetzle gradually rise to the surface of the boiling water, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a serving dish. Serve immediately, while still warm.

What's the difference between pasta and spaetzle? ›

Usually when you make pasta, you form a dense dough from flour and eggs, which you knead, rest, roll, and cut until your arms feel like they're on the verge of falling off. To make spaetzle, you just mix flour, egg, and a bit of milk into a pancake batter-like consistency.

What does Spätzle mean in German? ›

The short noodles are usually irregularly shaped and made from a simple batter of eggs mixed with flour (all-purpose or semolina) and milk or water. Its name derives from the word spatz (“little sparrows”) but is also thought to mean “clump” in German. It's known as spätzli in Switzerland and nokedli in Hungary.

What kind of flour is used in spaetzle? ›

wheat flour. Type 405 wheat flour is probably the most widely used today for spätzle. Type 405 indicates how high the degree of milling and the content of minerals such as magnesium or potassium. 405 indicates that approximately 405 milligrams of minerals are contained in 100 grams of flour.

What does spaetzle mean in German to English? ›

Meaning of spaetzle in English

a food, originally from Germany, that is similar to pasta, made with eggs, flour, and milk, and formed into small round or long shapes before being boiled and sometimes fried: Spaetzle may be browned in a little butter before serving.

Does spaetzle need to be refrigerated? ›

To Make Ahead: Cooked German Spaetzle reheats very well and will keep for several days, stored in a container in the refrigerator. To Freeze: Homemade spaetzle freezes well for 3 or 4 months.

Can you freeze Spätzle? ›

If refrigerating or freezing, toss spaetzle with a small amount of oil to prevent it from sticking together. If frozen, thaw spaetzle in refrigerator before proceeding. Melt half of butter in a large nonstick frypan over medium heat. Sauté half of spaetzle until heated through and lightly browned.

What tool can you use to prepare spaetzle if you don t own an spaetzle maker? ›

The easiest way is to use a colander with holes (or in this case little strips). Hold it above the pot. Don't set it on the edges of the pot like a flat spaetzle maker – the bottom of the colander will reach down further in the pot and clog up with cooked dough.

What Germans eat with schnitzel? ›

Typically, with schnitzel, warm German potato salad and red cabbage with apples is served. Spaetzle or pasta is another option.

What do Germans eat with brötchen? ›

for breakfast: you can find fresh bread rolls in every bread basket on German breakfast tables. Germans cut them in half horizontally, smear butter on them, and top them with jams, honey, quark, sliced cheese, or cold cuts. Basically, they eat them as open-faced sandwiches.

What is a traditional German snack? ›

Bavarian Pretzels. Bratwurst with Curry Ketchup (Currywurst) Potato Fritters with Cinnamon Sugar. Knödel Wurst (Knackwurst in Dumpling Dough) Pizza Toast.

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