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Cheesy German Noodles

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Freshly made spaetzle noodles meet Gruyere and Emmentaler cheese, topped with golden caramelized onions and baked to bubbly perfection. Add extras like bacon or mushrooms to take it up a notch.

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Updated on Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:54:42 GMT
A comforting bowl of cheesy spaetzle with golden onions and a sprig of fresh parsley. Pin it
A comforting bowl of cheesy spaetzle with golden onions and a sprig of fresh parsley. | chefmelt.com

German Cheese Spaetzle, known as Käsespätzle, brings together soft spaetzle noodles, gooey melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions in one amazing dish. Think of it as Germany's answer to mac and cheese - it's filling enough to be your main dish but works great on the side too. It's a hit at family meals or when you're hosting friends for dinner.

The Magic Behind German Cheese Spaetzle

What makes Käsespätzle so darn good is how the flavors work together. You've got soft, bouncy homemade noodles mixed with Gruyere and Emmentaler cheese that melts into this nutty, creamy dream. Then there's those onions that slowly cook down to sweet perfection. It's basic food done really well, showing off what German cooking is all about. Nothing fancy but totally satisfying.

What You'll Need

  • Spaetzle: You can make your own using flour, eggs, milk (water works too), with a bit of nutmeg for extra taste.
  • Cheese: A mix of Emmentaler and Gruyere gives that nutty creaminess, but throw in some cheddar or Jarlsburg if you want to mix it up.
  • Onions: Brown or yellow ones work best when slowly caramelized.
  • Butter: You'll need this for cooking those onions and coating the noodles.
  • Parsley (if you want): Adds some freshness and color.
  • Breadcrumbs (if you want): Gives a nice crunchy top when toasted in butter.

Getting Those Onions Just Right

Cut Your Onions
Go for thin slices of brown or yellow onions. Don't worry about using too many as they'll cook down a lot.
Take Your Time
Melt some butter in a pan on low heat and add your sliced onions. Give them a stir now and then so they don't burn. A little salt helps pull out moisture and boost the flavor.
Wait For The Magic
Let them cook until they turn a rich golden-brown. This takes around 45 minutes but it's worth it for that deep sweet taste.

Getting Your Spaetzle Ready

You can totally make spaetzle yourself. Just mix up flour, eggs, milk and a hint of nutmeg until smooth. Push this batter through a spaetzle tool or even a colander into boiling salty water. They're done when they float up. Drain them and mix with butter so they don't stick together. If you're using the store-bought kind, just follow what the package says and toss with butter after.

A close-up of a creamy macaroni and cheese dish topped with golden-brown caramelized onions and garnished with parsley, served in a dark bowl. Pin it
A close-up of a creamy macaroni and cheese dish topped with golden-brown caramelized onions and garnished with parsley, served in a dark bowl. | chefmelt.com

Putting It All Together

Grab a casserole dish and grease it up. Spread your buttered spaetzle in there, then load it up with grated cheese and top with those yummy caramelized onions. If you've got a deeper dish, you can do layers of noodles, cheese, and onions. Bake it uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes until everything's melty and bubbly. Let it sit for a few minutes before you dig in.

Mix It Up and Save For Later

Want something different? Throw in some chopped bacon while cooking the onions. Or try Jägerspätzle by adding mushroom gravy on top. You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. It freezes great too - just prep everything but don't bake it, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which cheeses melt the best?

Gruyere and Emmentaler are classic choices, but you can opt for sharp cheddar or Jarlsburg. Look for Swiss varieties for authentic taste.

→ Can I prep this in advance?

Absolutely! This meal is freezer-friendly. Make and freeze casseroles, then heat them up when needed.

→ Why do onions take so long to cook?

Caramelizing onions takes patience—around 45 minutes—but the slow cooking brings out deep flavor and a perfect golden color. It's worth the wait!

→ Any ideas to mix things up?

Try sprinkling crispy bacon or adding buttered crumbs on top. For more richness, mushroom gravy makes a great addition for Jägerspätzle.

→ What's the right onion to use?

Yellow or brown onions are the go-to for caramelizing. They develop the richest flavor and color when cooked slowly.

Conclusion

Freshly made spaetzle noodles meet Gruyere and Emmentaler cheese, topped with golden caramelized onions and baked to bubbly perfection. Add extras like bacon or mushrooms to take it up a notch.

Cheesy German Noodles

Homemade spaetzle layers with gooey cheese and onions cooked until golden. A simple yet satisfying dish.

Prep Time
60 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: German

Yield: 6 Servings (1 casserole)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 Large Gruyere Cheese portions, shredded.
02 2 Big Emmentaler Cheese portions, shredded.
03 3 Big Onions, slice thinly.
04 1/4 Cup Butter, use extras if required.
05 A Sprinkle of Parsley (optional, for garnish).
06 1 Double portion of made-from-scratch Spaetzle.
07 To make Spaetzle: 3 Cups Standard Flour.
08 To make Spaetzle: 4 Tablespoons Semolina Flour (ideal texture).
09 To make Spaetzle: 2 Eggs, large.
10 To make Spaetzle: 1 Tablespoon Butter, melted.
11 To make Spaetzle: 1 Teaspoon Fine-grain Sea Salt.
12 To make Spaetzle: A pinch of Nutmeg (1/8 Teaspoon).

Instructions

Step 01

Shred cheeses, chop onions into super thin pieces, and have everything ready for the spaetzle and remaining steps. Being prepared speeds things up!

Step 02

Drop butter and those chopped onions into a big pan with a pinch of salt. Cook 'em slow on low heat until caramelized (about 45 minutes). Stir them often and keep adjusting the heat if needed. You'll know they're ready when they turn a golden-brown color.

Step 03

While waiting on the onions to cook, prep and cook your spaetzle following the specific steps for them.

Step 04

Layer the cooked spaetzle into a casserole dish, then dot with small amounts of butter. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly across, and when the onions are golden and ready, spread those on top of everything.

Step 05

Bake until the cheese melts completely and begins bubbling (10 to 15 minutes should do the trick).

Step 06

Serve immediately, and feel free to sprinkle fresh parsley on top if you'd like!

Notes

  1. You can stack layers of ingredients in a deeper casserole dish.
  2. Option to prep earlier and store in the freezer.
  3. Breadcrumbs toasted in butter could be added as a crispy topping.
  4. Experiment by adding bacon or mushroom gravy as variations.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big skillet or frying pan.
  • Baking casserole/container.
  • Spaetzle maker tool.
  • Electric mixer (hand or stand).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Not suitable for those avoiding wheat (gluten).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 421
  • Total Fat: 33 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 24 g