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Homemade Spätzle

This easy homemade Spätzle recipe is a traditional German noodle that is comforting and adaptable, perfect for a quick dinner or a festive meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: German
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Spätzle
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour for a healthier version)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional — classic touch)
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup milk (or plant milk for vegan)
  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil (for sautéing)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional toppings
  • caramelized onions
  • grated Emmental/Swiss cheese (for Käsespätzle)
  • chopped chives or parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and nutmeg.
  2. In another bowl, beat the eggs and milk until blended and slightly frothy.
  3. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry, stirring with a wooden spoon until a thick, sticky batter forms.
  4. If the batter is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk.
  5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Cooking
  1. Choose your method: For a spaetzle maker, place over the pot and press batter through into boiling water.
  2. For the colander method, use a medium-holed colander and push batter through with a spatula.
  3. For the cutting/scraping method, spread batter thinly on a wet board and scrape small strips into the water with a knife.
  4. Cook Spätzle until they float to the surface, about 2–3 minutes. Let them cook an additional 30–60 seconds to ensure they're cooked through.
  5. Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked Spätzle to a colander or bowl and briefly rinse with hot water to stop them sticking (optional).
  6. In a large skillet, melt butter or heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Spätzle and sauté 3–5 minutes until edges are golden and slightly crisp.
  7. Season with pepper and serve immediately with toppings as desired.

Notes

You can add caramelized onions and grated cheese for Käsespätzle. For variations, try using vegan ingredients or swapping out some flour for chickpea flour for a higher protein option.