Spaetzle (spelled Spätzle in German) is a traditional side dish eaten throughout Germany. I didn’t know what it was until my first trip there and instantly loved it. Peasant food that dates back hundreds of years, spaetzle is an egg noodle, similar to dumplings, made of basic ingredients: flour, salt and eggs. There are many different ways to enjoy spaetzle. You can eat it freshly cooked with a thick saucy stew or lentils. I also like to saute my spaetzle with sliced onions and fresh herbs (see the main image).
The egg noodles are made by preparing a thick dough and dropping small noodle shapes into boiling water. It’s easiest if you have a hopper or spaetzle maker, but if you don’t (I own this sliding hopper), a large-holed sieve or potato ricer would work as well. Or you can handcut the dough (see this post on Serious Eats for more info). For the dough, I used about 50% whole wheat flour for some extra fiber, but feel free to adjust your ratio as desired.
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Slowly stir the eggs and milk into the dry ingredients. Mix well until the dough becomes thick and sticky.
Place some of the dough into the hopper (spaetzle maker) above a large pot of simmering water.
Move the hopper back and forth to press the dough out.
Pieces of dough will fall into the simmering water.
Cook the noodles for about 2-3 minutes. They will rise to the top.
When the spaetzle noodles are finished cooking, lift with a slotted spoon and drain.
Serve the finished spaetzle freshly boiled with sauce or sauteed with onions and fresh herbs.
How to Make Spaetzle
- 1 heaping cup of flour (I used half whole wheat)
- 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
Mix together flour, nutmeg, salt and white pepper. Add beaten eggs and milk to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer once you’re ready to cook the dough.
Press about a 1/2 cup of dough through a spaetzle maker or a large holed sieve above the simmering pot of water. Do this step in batches and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the spaetzle rise to top and look cooked. Lift with a slotted spoon and drain well.
Serve with a stew or creamy mushroom sauce. Or prepare how I did: Saute sliced onions in butter or olive oil. Then add spaetzle and cook until golden brown. If desired, sprinkle Emmentaler cheese on top to make a Käsespätzle, or cheese spätzle.
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
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didn’t know it was so easy! this looks so delicious, the kick of nutmeg is a great idea.
Yes, it’s easier than you’d think. It can be a little labor intensive if you don’t have the spaetzle maker (hopper), but other than that it’s easy.
I’ve made spaetzle by cutting and using a sieve, but I think I’m going to have to invest in a hopper! And I’m totally trying the onions and herbs version! Thanks!
I’d definitely recommend getting a cheap hopper. And trying different things with spaetzle is great, such a versatile dish. Thanks for stopping by!
The spaetzle looks delicious! And you’re right; it does look easy. When I was in China I actually had a similar-looking pasta dish that they called “cat’s ears”, except it was made by a cook pinching off bits of dough by hand and throwing it into a big pot of boiling water. And all the noodle bits still came out uniform in size and shape!
Thanks, Diana! Ooh, I’d like to try the Chinese version sometime. Maybe a new recipe on your blog? 😉
This looks so tasty and quite easy to make. I’ll have to try it sometime!
Thanks Spencer! Yeah agreed, it’s surprisingly easy to make.
I learned how to make this long ago from my oma she is and was way better than me at making the delicious noodle
I can imagine, my husband’s Oma’s spaetzle were always the best too. Thanks for stopping by Jaed!
Looks good cant wait to make it
Can the milk be replaced with almond or soy milk? Would there be a gluten free substitute for the flour as well? I have severely lactose and gluten intolerant friends. Thank you so much.
Hi Ana – I have never made spaetzle any other way but go ahead and try it with almond/soy milk and gluten-free flour. I found a link here for the flour, https://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/gluten-free-multi-purpose-flour. Let me know how it turns out!