Spaetzle (2024)

We love to make these easy German Spaetzle noodles as a side dish to so many recipes because I always have the ingredients needed and they pair well with anything.

Want more German recipes? Try German Red Cabbage and Rouladen!

Spaetzle (1)

Why I love this recipe:

Family Connection: One of my birthday meals of choice growing up was Rouladen, Red Cabbage and Spaetzle. My dad lived in Germany as a young adult and brought a love of German culture and food to our family. We have good German friends who taught my eager to learn mother how to make some German classics, and she passed that knowledge on to me.

Fun and EASY: Spaetzle means “little sparrows” they’re the most recognizable German starch to serve with an authentic German meal. They’re fun for kids to help make, in a play-doughy kind of way, and all you need is flour, salt, nutmeg, eggs, and milk.

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

How to make Spaetzle:

Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, salt and nutmeg in a bowl.

Spaetzle (2)

Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs until they are well beaten, then add milk to eggs and blend together.Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the egg mixture intoit. Mix until a soft dough/paste forms. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes, covered with a hand towel.

Spaetzle (3)

Form and Boil Spaetzle: Bring 2-3 quarts oflightly salted water to a boil.Scoop about half the batter into a Spaetzle maker, or use a spatula and grater or conader and press the batter through the large holes, straight into boiling water. They will look like little dumplings.

Spaetzle (4)

Scoop out once they float to the top (2-3 minutes) using a slotted spoon. Drain in a colander and put in a bowl. Repeat with other half of dough.

Spaetzle (5)

Toss with butter and serve warm, or for a final authentic step, sauté in a hot large fry pan with melted butter, flipping once, until crisp on both sides. Sprinkle with chopped parsley as a garnish.

Spaetzle (6)

Variations:

  • Bacon and onions: Spaetzle are great fried up with finely diced bacon and onions. Give the bacon and onions a couple minutes head start before tossing in the Spaetzle.
  • Kaesespaetzle (German Mac & Cheese): Layer the still warm Spaetzle in a baking dish with shredded Swiss cheese between each layer, and then bacon and sauteed onions sprinkled on the top layer. Preheat oven and bake at 375 degree for about 12 minutes.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

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. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rewarming.

Follow me for more great recipes

Recipe

Spaetzle (7)

5 from 73 votes

Spaetzle

This easy Spaetzle recipe is a traditional German pasta with flour, eggs, and milk and seasoned with nutmeg.

Print Pin Review

Course Main Course

Cuisine German

Servings 6

Calories 206

Cost 2

Prep 20 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 30 minutes mins

Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 large eggs , (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  • Dry ingredients: In a medium to large bowl mix together flour, salt and nutmeg.

  • Wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the room temperature eggs, one at a time until they are well beaten together. Add the milk to the eggs and blend together.

  • Combine: Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour egg mixture into it. Mix until a soft dough forms. The dough should be just thicker than batter; spoon-able but not runny/pourable. Cover bowl with a hand towel and allow dough to rest for about 10 min.

  • Cook: Bring 2-3 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil. Scoop about half of the batter into a Spatezle tool, or use the large holes of a grater, colander or steamer basket and use a spatula to push the batter through the holes, into the boiling water.

  • Give the dumplings a gentle stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until they float to the surface. Use a slotted spoon to transfer dumplings into a colander to drain and then transfer them to a bowl. Repeat process with remainder of dough. This recipe will cook in two batches.

  • Toss with butter and serve warm, OR for a final authentic step, sauté the cooked little dumplings on the stove top in a hot large fry pan with melted butter, flipping just once, until crisp on both sides.

Notes

Variations:

  • Bacon and onion: Spaetzle are great fried up with finely diced bacon and onions. Give the bacon and onions a couple minutes head start before tossing in the Spaetzle.
  • Kaesespaetzle (German Mac & Cheese): Layer the still warm Spaetzle in a baking dish with shredded Swiss cheese between each layer, and then bacon and sautéed onions sprinkled on the top layer. Preheat oven and bake at 375 degree for about 12 minutes.

Make Ahead Instructions: Cooked Spaetzle reheats well and will keep for several days, stored in a container in the refrigerator. Rewarm briefly in boiling water, or in the microwave with a small splash of water and butter.

Freezing Instructions: Spaetzle freeze well for 3 or 4 months.Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rewarming.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 9gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 192IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 2mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @TastesBetterFromScratch on Instagram with #TastesBetterFromScratch!

Follow Me

I originally shared this recipe February 2021. Updated March 2024.

This post contains affiliate links.

Related Posts

Published

About The Author

Spaetzle (12)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

Spaetzle (2024)

FAQs

What to put on spätzle? ›

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. But layered with cheese and caramelized onions is still my favorite variation.

What does spaetzle mean in German? ›

The origin of the word Spätzle comes from Swabian meaning little sparrows. Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany. The name is ultimately derived from the medieval Duchy of Swabia.

What can I use if I don't have a spaetzle maker? ›

Although if you don't have one, don't fret! A colander with large holes will work almost as well and lets you enjoy fresh-made spaetzle any time you want! Also, even though the recipe itself is traditional, I make it a bit easier by mixing up the spaetzle batter in my stand mixer rather than whisking it by hand!

What do Germans eat with spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle—also spelled spätzle—originates from Swabia, a region of southwest Germany, and served with hearty dishes like schnitzel and goulash.

What is a nickname for a spätzle? ›

Spätzle is the Swabian and Alsacian diminutive of Spatz, thus literally 'little sparrow'. They are also known as Knöpfle (diminutive of button). In Switzerland they are called Spätzli or Chnöpfli, in Hungarian Nokedli or Csipetke, in Slovenian Vaseršpacli or vodni žličniki and in Ladin Fierfuli.

Can you keep spaetzle in the fridge? ›

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.

What is the best flour for 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.

How to keep spaetzle from sticking? ›

Toss with olive oil or melted butter to keep from sticking.

How to know when spaetzle is done? ›

They are ready when they start floating to the top. Use a slotted spoon to remove from the water and either serve right on a plate or place in a bowl filled with cold water and ice cubes to avoid from sticking to each other if you want to finish making the full batch of Spaetzle in one go.

Can you make spaetzle with a box grater? ›

There are several approaches to this. Some people like to make a thick dough and grate it through the holes of a cheese grater. But if you keep the spaetzle mix as runny as cake batter, you'll be able to push it through a spaetzle maker (or colander) into a pot of boiling water fairly quickly.

Why is my spaetzle soggy? ›

My Spaetzle are mushy and soggy - There might be too much liquid in your dough. Try adding more flour. Another method you could use is to have a bowl of cold water next to your pan.

What is the English name for spaetzle? ›

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.

What to put on top of spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle are a sturdy addition to soups — or try them crisped up with a bit of butter and served with sausage. Here, the addition of Gruyère cheese gives these versatile little dumplings extra richness. Get our cheese spaetzle recipe.

What do Germans like to eat the most? ›

Whilst there are regional variations in food culture, most German recipes focus heavily on bread, potatoes, and meat, especially pork, as well as plenty of greens such as types of cabbage and kale. Cake, coffee, and beer are all highly popular elements of German cuisine too - which will be good news to most!

What goes good on top of noodles? ›

11 Toppings to Make Your Instant Noodles Tastier and Healthier
  • Pesto. This classic Italian sauce combines ingredients like garlic cloves, parmesan and basil, which gives it its signature green colour. ...
  • Pesto. ...
  • Cheese Slices. ...
  • Cheese Slices. ...
  • Sesame Seeds and Flaxseeds. ...
  • Sesame Seeds and Flaxseeds. ...
  • Edamame Beans. ...
  • Edamame Beans.
Aug 6, 2019

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. The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 6221

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.