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Authentic Käsespätzle, German macaroni and cheese with cheese and caramelized onions

Käsespätzle

A warm and comforting German dish made with soft egg noodles, layered with melted cheese, and topped with browned onions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: German
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Noodles and Seasoning
  • 2 large large onions For browning and topping.
  • 2 tablespoons butter For browning onions.
  • 1 pound spätzle Can be homemade or store bought.
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Optional but recommended for flavor.
  • to taste salt For seasoning.
  • to taste black pepper For seasoning.
Cheese
  • 8 ounces shredded cheese (Emmentaler, Gruyere, or Swiss) Use a mix for best meltiness.
  • splash cream or milk Optional for a silkier texture.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Slice the onions thinly.
  2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and add onions with a pinch of salt.
  3. Cook the onions for about 20-30 minutes until deep golden and a bit crisp.
Cooking the Spätzle
  1. Boil store-bought spätzle according to package directions; drain well.
  2. For homemade spätzle, drop small pieces of spätzle dough into simmering salted water until they float. Cook for an additional minute, then drain.
Combining
  1. In a pot, combine drained spätzle with shredded cheese over low heat, stirring to melt the cheese evenly.
  2. Add a splash of cream or milk if needed and season with black pepper and nutmeg.
Serving
  1. Serve in bowls, topped with browned onions and additional cracked pepper.
  2. For a baked option, place in a buttered dish, sprinkle with extra cheese, and bake at 400°F until bubbling.

Notes

Make ahead by cooking onions and spätzle beforehand. Reheat spätzle with milk and add fresh cheese to melt. This dish pairs well with a simple salad to balance the richness.