Spaetzle (2024)

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Spaetzle (1)Meggan Hill

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5 from 8 votes

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My make-ahead Spaetzle noodles can be formed and boiled up to 3 days ahead. Try my Spaetzle-making trick using a colander if you don’t have (or want to invest in) special equipment to make this classic German side dish recipe.

Spaetzle (2)

If you’ve never had homemade Spaetzle, you’re in for a real treat. These tiny, eggy noodles are extraordinary plain, with a bit of butter and salt, and they can also be elevated with all sorts of fun toppings. Spaetzle mac and cheese? Yes please!

Table of Contents

  1. Recipe ingredients
  2. Equipment and ingredient notes
  3. Step by step instructions
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Recipe FAQs
  6. Spaetzle Recipe

Recipe ingredients

Spaetzle (3)

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Equipment and ingredient notes

  • Spaetzle tools: We tried 3 different tools to see what was easiest for making Spatezle. Our favorite was this lid and scraper set because it was simple to use and easy to clean. We also tried a spaetzle press (it was expensive, heavy, and required a lot of strength) and a spaetzle maker (similar concept to the lid and scraper but more difficult to use). You could also try a colander or potato ricer.
  • All-purpose flour: When a modern recipe calls for sifted flour, it usually means that the recipe requires fluffier, aerated flour, or flour without any lumps. As it is packaged, shipped, and stored, flour settles in the bag. Sifting lightens it up again. Cakes become fluffier, pancakes lighter; you get the idea. To sift flour, over a sheet of parchment paper, foil, or a bowl, add flour (or any dry ingredients) to a fine-mesh strainer and tap the side with one hand. Anything left in the bottom can be pushed through with a spoon.
  • Nutmeg: Freshly-ground nutmeg is warm and nutty, and once heated, lends a lovely clove-like flavor. Find whole nutmeg in most supermarkets or on Amazon.

Step by step instructions

  1. Heat a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.In the bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat eggs until light and frothy. Add flour, a little at a time, into eggs, then add salt and nutmeg.
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  1. Pour milk into the mixture, a little at a time and beat on medium speed until well blended, about 8 to 10 minutes.
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  1. Place the spaetzle maker or metal colander over the hot water and scoop some dough into it. Press the spaetzle maker down to squeeze the noodles out into the simmering water. Repeat in batches as necessary.
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  1. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the noodles float to the top.
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  1. Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. 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.
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  1. To finish the dish, in a skillet, melt butter on medium high heat until brown. Add cooked spaetzle noodles and toss in skillet until coated.
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  1. Season with salt and serve immediately.
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Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This Spaetzle recipe makes six hearty side dish servings of about 1 cup each.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Make ahead: Complete steps 1 through 7 up to 3 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container until you’re ready to proceed with step 8.
  • Freezer: Cool the boiled spaetzle, then package in freezer-safe containers. Label, date, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then proceed with the instructions to sauté until golden brown.
  • Make it a meal: Try my homemade Spaetzle recipe with Chicken Schnitzel, Pork Schnitzel, Rouladen, or Swedish Meatballs.
  • Oktoberfest:Plan your own German fall fest with my fullOktoberfest Menu.Start withPork SchnitzelorChicken Schnitzel, a cripsy, crumb-coated, pan-fried cutlet.Serve with Braised Red Cabbage,German Potato Salad, andSoft Pretzelsandhomemade Mustard. Finish the meal withLebkuchen or aBlack Forest Cake, plenty of German beer, and someLemon Spezisfor the kids.
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Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between spaetzle and pasta?

They are made with similar ingredients, but pasta requires a resting period for gluten development. Spaetzle is ready to boil immediately after mixing the dough together.

Do you pronounce “spaetzle”?

Most people pronounce it as “shpeh-tzuhl.” However, it should be pronounced as “shpeh-tzluh.”

More German recipes

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Spaetzle (16)

Spaetzle

My make-ahead Spaetzle noodles can be formed and boiled up to 3 days ahead. Try my Spaetzle-making trick using a colander if you don't have (or want to invest in) special equipment to make this classic German side dish recipe.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings (1 cup each)

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine German

Calories 393

5 from 8 votes

Equipment

  • Spaetzle maker (see note 1)

Ingredients

Instructions

To make the spaetzle dough:

  • Heat a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.In the bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat eggs until light and frothy. Add flour, a little at a time, into eggs, then add salt and nutmeg.

  • Pour milk into the mixture, a little at a time and beat on medium speed until well blended, about 8-10 minutes.

To boil the spaetzle:

  • If using a spaetzle maker: place the tool over the hot water and scoop some dough into it. Press the spaetzle maker down to squeeze the noodles out into the simmering water. Repeat in batches as necessary. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the noodles float to the top.

  • If using a colander or steamer with large holes (not mesh): place the colander over the hot water and scoop some dough into it. Press the flat side of a sturdy wooden spoon across the colander to push the noodles out into the simmering water. Repeat in batches as necessary. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the noodles float to the top.

  • Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. 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 2-3 days until ready to serve.

To finish the spaetzle:

  • In a skillet, melt butter on medium high heat until brown. Add cooked spaetzle noodles and toss in skillet until coated. Season with salt and serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Spaetzle tools: We tried 3 different tools to see what was easiest for making Spatezle. Our favorite was this lid and scraper set because it was simple to use and easy to clean. We also tried a spaetzle press (it was expensive, heavy, and required a lot of strength) and a spaetzle maker (similar concept to the lid and scraper but more difficult to use). You could also try a colander or potato ricer. (Culinary Hill may earn money if you buy through these links.)
  2. All-purpose flour: When a modern recipe calls for sifted flour, it usually means that the recipe requires fluffier, aerated flour, or flour without any lumps. As it is packaged, shipped, and stored, flour settles in the bag. Sifting lightens it up again. It also creates space for the other components in the recipe to get in between the flour particles and do their work. Cakes become fluffier, pancakes lighter; you get the idea. To sift flour, over a sheet of parchment paper, foil, or a bowl, add flour (or any dry ingredients) to a fine-mesh strainer and tap the side with one hand. Anything left in the bottom can be pushed through with a spoon.
  3. Nutmeg: Freshly-ground nutmeg is warm and nutty, and once heated, lends a lovely clove-like flavor. Find whole nutmeg in most supermarkets or on Amazon.
  4. Yield: This Spaetzle recipe makes six hearty side dish servings of about 1 cup each.
  5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  6. Make ahead: Complete steps 1 through 7 up to 3 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container until you’re ready to proceed with step 8.
  7. Freezer: Cool the boiled spaetzle, then package in freezer-safe containers. Label, date, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then proceed with the instructions to sauté until golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 393kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 12gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 197mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 360IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 4mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill

Spaetzle (17)

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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. Can you mix the dough with regular beaters? I do not have a pastry hook on my beater. I also have a food processor. Can that be used?

    Reply

    1. Hi Debbie, we just used the regular paddle attachment, no hook needed! Hope this helps. – Meggan

    2. I should have asked if I can use my mixer with the basic mixing tools. I don’t have a paddle or a hook attachment. Thank you!

  2. Thanks for breaking the process into manageable steps. We were stationed in Germany with the military, and this recipe looks the most authentic in the USA. I’m eager to attempt this, and will order the lid/scraper. Do you have a sauce recipe to go with this? What about cheese? Thank you again!Spaetzle (18)

    Reply

    1. Hi Diane, I prefer it with butter, but you can definitely serve it with cheese, or a sauce like gravy or mushrooms. Enjoy! – Meggan

Spaetzle (2024)

FAQs

How is spaetzle different from pasta? ›

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.

Is spaetzle the same as gnocchi? ›

What is the difference between gnocchi and spaetzle? The main difference between gnocchi and spaetzle is that gnocchi are made from potatoes while spaetzle noodles are made from flour, originally spelt flour. Gnocchi are also typically much larger than spaetzle, which are fairly small.

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 English name for spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle are traditional German dumplings.

Are spaetzle chewy? ›

Spätzle is a German egg noodle pasta with a chewy, dumpling-like texture. The short noodles are usually irregularly shaped and made from a batter of eggs mixed with flour and milk or water.

What do you put on spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle is very versatile and can be served a variety of ways. Here are a ways to serve spaetzle: Buttered Spätzle: This is one of the simplest and most traditional ways to serve spaetzle. After boiling and draining the cooked spaetzle, toss them with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

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

If you plan on making German spaetzle often, you might want to invest in a spaetzle maker to help with the process. But if you have never made spaetzle before and don't have one, you can absolutely make this recipe just using a colander or steamer with large holes on the bottom.

Why is gnocchi not a pasta? ›

While gnocchi are a traditional Italian pasta shape, what makes them distinct is that they use potatoes as the main ingredient. Therefore, they're commonly considered to be a dumpling. Like many dishes in Italian cuisine, gnocchi vary in both name, appearance, and recipe across the regions of lo Stivale.

What is the difference between spaetzle and knöpfle? ›

The difference lies in their shape. Whereas spaetzle noodles are usually longer and thinner, knoepfle means 'little knot/ button. ' It refers to a shorter, rounder variety of the noodle, often made using a sliding spaetzle maker, which transfers 'droplets' of dough rather than long noodles into the boiling water.

What is Germany breakfast food called? ›

Culture: Traditional German breakfast foods

Slices of cold meat or slicing sausage (Aufschnitt, Wurst), ham (Schinken) and cheese (Käse) are also very common breakfast foods, as well as hard-boiled eggs (gekochte Eier) and Marmelade, which is not just marmalade (Orangenmarmelade) but any kind of jam.

Does spaetzle taste like pasta? ›

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

How to keep spaetzle from sticking? ›

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

What to use if you 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!

What's the difference between pasta and dumpling dough? ›

Dumplings are a lighter dough that is put into or on top of a stew of some sort .. the pot covered, and the simmering steams the dumplings until they are light and fluffy and moist … No. Pasta is flour and water, and often egg as well .. made into a stiff dough and rolled out and then cut or shaped.

What are 2 major differences between noodles and pasta? ›

Differences in Ingredients

Flour – smooth, soft, and a lighter shade, noodles may be crafted using a finer kind of flour or a variety of different flours. Pasta on the other hand uses a heavier denser kind of flour to give it that weight. Salt – salt is essential when it comes to noodles.

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