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Spaetzle Recipe: How to Make This German Dish

If you’re looking for an easy, authentic German dish to make at home, look no further than spaetzle. German Spaetzle is a simple egg noodle dish. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as a side dish for a larger feast. Making homemade spaetzle is quite easy.

What is German Spaetzle?

German Spaetzle

German Spaetzle is a simple noodle dish that is popular in Germany. Spaetzle is an egg noodle dish that is popular in Germany. It is made from flour, eggs, and water.

The dough is poured into a special spaetzle maker, or you can use a Squeeze bottle with small holes poked in the end to create the noodles. The egg noodles are then boiled in salt water until they rise to the top, then they are drained and served.

Big Spaetzle Maker

What is German Spaetzle made of?

Spaetzle is made of flour, eggs, and water. The dough is poured into a special spaetzle maker, or you can use a squeeze bottle with small holes poked in the end to create the egg noodles.

Squeeze Bottle Set

Where did the German spaetzle originate?

Spaetzle originated in southern Germany as a peasant dish. The exact time of origin is unclear, but it could be as early as the 13th century. It was originally called Spatzen (meaning “little sparrows”) because the shape and size of Spaetzle noodles were similar to that of baby sparrows.

History of the German spaetzle

The spaetzle was a peasant dish. They were inexpensive and considered a staple of the peasants’ diet, though occasionally, they could be found on the menus of nobility.

See Related: Jägerschnitzel Recipe

What is the traditional way of eating German Spaetzle?

Newly Cooked German Spaetzle

Homemade spaetzle recipe, barbecue sausage, and fresh cheese from homemade German egg noodles In Germany, spaetzle is typically served with butter and parsley. It can also be used the same way as the popular Italian noodle, gnocchi, with a sauce, poured over it or topped with cheese.

You can use a Spaetzle maker for the noodles

A spaetzle maker is a machine that allows you to press the dough through it and create little noodles. You can purchase a Spaetzle maker online or in most large department stores or you can use a Squeeze bottle with small holes poked in the end to create the noodles.

The dough is made of flour, eggs, and water. You can use wheat flour or whole wheat flour in place of white flour. The German noodles are boiled in salt water until they rise to the top, then they are drained and served.

Make Homemade German Spaetzle with this German Spaetzle Recipe

German Spaetzle

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1-quart cold water

Directions

  1. Stir flour, eggs, salt, and 1/2 cup of water in a large bowl to make a flour mixture using a medium bowl.
  2. Beat until the batter is smooth and no longer sticks to the wooden spoon.
  3. Add water as needed. The spaetzle dough should be firm enough to be rolled and cut into slivers or soft enough to be forced through a sieve, colander, or spaetzle-maker with large holes.
  4. Boil a large pot of lightly salted water.
  5. If you have a Spaetzle press, press the dough through the press and into the large pot of boiling water.
  6. If you do not have a press, place dough on the cutting board and roll it out.
  7. Cut dough into tiny noodles.
  8. Add noodles to boiling water. They cook quickly and are done when they float to the surface.
  9. As the noodles finish cooking, remove them with a slotted spoon.
  10. You can saute’ the cooked spaetzle in a Tbsp. of melted butter and crispy fried onions before serving.
  11. Serve warm.
  12. Enjoy!

Other suggestions: Serve with brown gravy or beef stock. If you do not want to use the egg yolks, use the egg whites and add some yellow food coloring for color.

What is the best way to serve German Spaetzle?

The best way to serve German Spaetzle is with melted butter and chopped parsley. It can also be used the same way as the popular Italian noodle, gnocchi, with mushroom gravy, poured over it or topped with cheese.

See Related: Brotknoedel Recipe: How to Make German Dumplings

Fun and delicious variations

Dry Organic Spaetzle Dumplings

Spaetzles are delicious fried in a frying pan with coarsely chopped bacon and onions. Layer a still-hot spaetzle in a baking dish, then slice Swiss cheese between each layer, followed by bacon slices and cooked onions. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 13 minutes. About 12 minutes on a baking rack at 350 degrees.

Useful Tips For Making Authentic German Spaetzle

German Spaetzle With Bacon Variation
  • Use fine sea salt, if possible, or table salt. Adjust the amount accordingly.
  • Do not overcook the noodles to achieve that perfect chewy texture. Once they start to float, they are ready to be taken out of the boiling water.
  • Serve with your favorite sauce and garnish for a more flavorful dish.
  • This authentic German noodle dish can be tailored to fit almost any taste with a few variations. Whether you enjoy them plain with butter and parsley or saute them in a more elaborate sauce, the Spaetzle recipe is easy to follow and creates something that is both delicious and versatile. It can be served with just about any kind of sauce or garnish, making it an excellent main dish for either lunch or dinner.

See Related: Best Traditional German Christmas Foods

Spaetzle Recipe: How to Make This German Dish
spaetzle

With this great and simple spaetzle recipe, you will taste the delicious and pleasant traditional German dumplings or noodles.

Type: Main Dish

Cuisine: German

Keywords: spaetzle, spaetzle recipe, how to make spaetzle, german dish, traditional german food, spaetzle recipes

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: PT05M

Cooking Time: PT15M

Total Time: PT20M

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1-quart cold water

Recipe Instructions: Stir flour, eggs, salt, and 1/2 cup of water in a large bowl to make a flour mixture using a medium bowl. Beat until the batter is smooth and no longer sticks to the wooden spoon. Add water as needed. The spaetzle dough should be firm enough to be rolled and cut into slivers or soft enough to be forced through a sieve, colander, or spaetzle-maker with large holes. Boil a large pot of lightly salted water. If you have a Spaetzle press, press the dough through the press and into the large pot of boiling water. If you do not have a press, place dough on the cutting board and roll it out. Cut dough into tiny noodles. Add noodles to boiling water. They cook quickly and are done when they float to the surface. As the noodles finish cooking, remove them with a slotted spoon. You can saute’ the cooked spaetzle in a Tbsp. of melted butter and crispy fried onions before serving. Serve warm.

Editor's Rating:
4

Conclusion

The German Spaetzle recipe is quite easy to follow and makes fine egg noodles. Eating homemade Spaetzle is one way to enjoy an authentic and downright delicious but simple German heritage dish.

It is quite versatile compared to other German food that can go with any kind of sauce and garnish. It can serve as a main dish or as a side dish for lunch or dinner, or even as an amazing treat.

FAQ

How do I know when the Spaetzle Batter is ready?

The more times the batter is beaten, the more bubbles it forms. After 15 minutes or less of beating, remove the batter with a wooden spoon. The filling is finished when a bubble has disappeared. If it isn’t kneaded, keep repeating the process for another second or two.

What other sauces go well with the German Spaetzel?

Traditionally, red gravy or beef stock is served with German Spaetzle. However, you can serve it with a variety of sauces like Béchamel sauce, cheese sauce, and mushroom sauce.

What kind of salt is best for German Spaetzle?

In general, use fine sea salt or table salt when making spaetzle. If you are using Himalayan pink salt or Kosher salt, you will need to adjust the amount of salt called in the recipe because they are saltier than table salt.

Can I freeze German Spaetzle?

You can freeze German Spaetzle before or after cooking them. To freeze them before cooking, shape the dough into small logs and wrap them in plastic wrap.

Freeze for 2 hours then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Place the spaetzle in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Then, place the spaetzle in a freezer-safe bag.

To freeze them after cooking, let them cool completely then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour then place them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge then cook in boiling water until heated through

How long does Spaetzle last?

Store German Spaetzle in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

What alternative methods or tools can be used instead of a spaetzle maker?

You can create the Spaetzle dough by either placing it into a colander and then shaking it or pushing it through the holes using the back of a spoon. You can also spread the dough on a cutting board and use a knife to cut noodles.

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