Best Spaetzle Recipes

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Add eggs and milk; stir to mix well (batter will be thick). In a Dutch oven or large kettle, bring chicken broth to a boil. Drop batter by 1/2 teaspoonfuls into boiling liquid. Boil until spaetzle rise to the surface; remove to ice water. Drain well. In a skillet, heat spaetzle in butter until lightly browned. Serve with schnitzel and gravy or with Parmesan cheese.

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. In another mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg-milk mixture. Gradually draw in the flour from the sides and combine well; the dough should be smooth and thick. Let the dough rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot, then reduce to a simmer. To form the spaetzle, hold a large holed colander or slotted spoon over the simmering water and push the dough through the holes with a spatula or spoon. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the spaetzle floats to the surface, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Dump the spaetzle into a colander and give it a quick rinse with cool water.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the spaetzle; tossing to coat. Cook the spaetzle for 1 to 2 minutes to give the noodles some color, and then sprinkle with the chopped chives and season with salt and pepper before serving.

SPAETZLE, SAUERKRAUT AND SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a metal colander.
• Whisk together the flour and salt in a bowl. Mix the eggs and water, and pour into the flour mixture. Stir to form a dough.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the spaetzle dough into the oiled colander, and set the colander over the pot of water. Use a flexible spatula to push the dough into the boiling water through the holes in the colander. Stir the spaetzle as they boil. When they have floated to the top, they are done (about 5 minutes). Scoop the spaetzle out of the boiling water, and place into an ungreased 9x9-inch baking dish.
• Place the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, and cook, stirring often, until the bacon is crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon, leaving drippings in pan, and set aside. Cook the onion in the same pan as the bacon until browned, about 10 minutes.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until foamy, and stir in the apple and brown sugar. Cook and stir until the apple is soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon, onions, and sauerkraut into the skillet, and cook, stirring often, until the flavors have blended, about 5 minutes. Pour the sauerkraut mixture into the 9x9-inch baking dish on top of the spaetzle.
• Place the kielbasa pieces into a microwave-safe dish, and cook on full power in a microwave oven until the sausage is hot and has lost its pink color, 2 or 3 minutes. Transfer the sausage to the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

KAESE SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Sift together flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Beat eggs in a medium bowl. Alternately mix in milk and the flour mixture until smooth. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Press batter through a spaetzle press into the water. You may also use a potato ricer, colander, or a cheese grater. When the spaetzle has floated to the top of the water, remove it to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Mix in 1 cup of the cheese.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until golden. Stir in spaetzle and remaining cheese until well blended. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.

GERMAN DUMPLINGS (SPAETZLE OR KNIFFLES) FOR SOUP OR SAUTE

Steps:

• Mix these together until sticky.
• Drop into bubbling soup or stew, broth or water. (see below for ideas).
• Dumplings will rise to the surface as they cook; remove from liquid with a slotted spoon (if sautéing in another pan); set aside in a bowl (keep warm).
• MAKE THE DUMPLINGS #1: This method results in very small, stringy-ish dumplings and is great for soups or stews. Spoon several tablespoons of batter into a colander, then with the back of the spoon--press the batter through the holes into the bubbling liquid.
• METHOD #2: This method forms larger dumpling pieces (dime & quarter size) and is great for soups or stews, too -- but especially good if you want to saute the dumplings afterwards (more on that in a minute). Using a teaspoon and butter knife, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then use the knife to cut off little dibs and dabs, using the knife to also push the dibs into the hot liquid. If the knife or spoon gets messy, just dip into the hot liquid.
• SERVING IDEAS: We love these in chicken-dumpling soup (use your regular chicken soup recipe -- skip the egg noodles and make these dumplings instead). OR scoop out the larger dumplings (Method #2), and saute in butter or olive oil along with kielbasa or other sausage and LOTS of onion ring slices. OR saute some fresh veggies, then add the dumplings -- heaven!
• VARIATIONS: Add several pinches of your favorite herbs along with the flour to enhance the soup, stew or saute dish.
• Chef's Note: Altho' this is kind of putzy, it is well worth the effort and SO different from regular pasta-noodles.

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Fill 4-quart Dutch oven half full with water; heat to boiling. In medium bowl, mix eggs, milk, flour, salt and pepper with fork (batter will be thick).
• Press a few tablespoons of the batter at a time through colander with 1/4-inch holes, or spaetzle maker, into boiling water. Stir once or twice to prevent sticking. Cook about 2 to 5 minutes or until spaetzle rise to surface and are tender; drain. Toss with butter.

SPAETZLE AND CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• Place chicken in a stock pot, and add enough water to cover. Pour in the chicken broth, and add celery and onions. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 1 hour to get a good broth.
• When the chicken is cooked through and tender, remove it to a platter and let sit until it is cool enough to handle. Strain broth, and discard celery and onions. Return the broth to the stock pot. Remove chicken meat from the bones, chop or tear into pieces, then return it to the pot also. Bring the broth to a boil, and add carrots.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, water and salt. Gradually add flour until the dough is firm enough to form a ball. You may need more or less flour. Pat the dough out on a flat plate. Using a butter knife, cut slices of dough off the edge of the plate so they are about 2 to 3 inches long. Allow them to fall directly into the boiling broth.
• Once the carrots are tender, the soup is ready. Sprinkle with parsley flakes and serve.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet, saute whole onions in butter until lightly browned. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, saute chopped onions until tender. Set aside. , In a large plastic resealable bag, combine flour and 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika; add chicken, a few pieces at a time and shake to coat. , Place chicken in skillet; brown on all sides. Add the salt, parsley, broth and remaining paprika. Cover and cook over low heat until juices run clear, about 45 minutes. , For spaetzle, in a large bowl, stir the flour, eggs, milk, salt and baking powder until smooth (dough will be sticky). In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Pour dough into a colander or spaetzle maker coated with cooking spray; place over boiling water. , With a wooden spoon, press dough until small pieces drop into boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes or until dumplings are tender and float. Remove with a slotted spoon; toss with butter. , Remove chicken from skillet; set aside. In the same skillet, stir in the sour cream, capers and juice and onions. Return chicken to the skillet and gently heat through. Place spaetzle on a platter and top with chicken. Serve with sauce.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large kettle or Dutch oven, brown chicken pieces in oil. Add the broth, bay leaves, thyme and pepper. Bring to a boil; skim foam. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones; discard bones and skin and cut chicken into bite size pieces. Cool broth and skim off fat., Return chicken to broth along with the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and barley. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35 minutes. Add mushrooms and simmer 8-10 minutes longer. Remove bay leaves. , In a small bowl, combine first three spaetzle ingredients. Stir in the egg, water and milk; blend well. Drop batter by 1/2 teaspoonfuls into simmering soup. Cook for 10 minutes.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• OK let's be Hungarian.
• Firstly we don't call the dumplings "spaetzle" but I can't spell the word that Grandma always used so I've borrowed the German term. (I've since learned how to spell Nokedli.).
• Start by heating the oil in a large pot and browning your chicken parts.
• Remove the chicken and add the butter or margarine to the pot.
• Sauté the onion in the melted butter until transparent.
• Add paprika, chicken, and water, bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 45 minutes. (NOTE: I've learned over the years that using a 32 oz box of broth adds a lot of flavor to the dish.).
• Chicken should be very tender and about to fall off bones.
• Remove chicken to bowl.
• Add enough fresh water to pot to bring back to original level.
• Check flavor of broth.
• If flavor is weak add enough bullion to produce a well flavored broth. (SKIP this step if you used broth.).
• Bring broth to boil.
• Combine flour, salt, and pepper with eggs (the more eggs the richer the batter but two is OK) to form a thick batter.
• Now comes the tricky (and boring) part.
• Drop batter in boiling broth in 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon amounts until all batter is in pot and cooked.
• Spaetzle is cooked when it floats on surface.
• You may need to remove some to get it all in the pot.
• With all spaetzle cooked and in pot you now add your sour cream to broth. The amount is individual according to how creamy you wish the sauce to become (and how much water you started with).
• At this point I usually add about three tablespoons of flour mixed with one cup of water to thicken the broth. Sorry I omitted this step in the original submission.
• The sauce and spaetzle is the best part of this dish so be sure to make enough! They will be coming back for seconds on that part of the dish.
• One of the most surprising things about this dish is it actually tastes better the second day. Sooo if you are making it for a special dinner prepare it the day before and simply reheat it one half hour before serving.

SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir the flour, eggs, milk and salt until smooth (dough will be sticky). In a large saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Pour dough into a colander or spaetzle maker coated with cooking spray; place over boiling water. , With a wooden spoon, press dough until small pieces drop into boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes or until dumplings are tender and float. Remove with a slotted spoon; toss with butter. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.

SPAETZLE NOODLES

Steps:

• Follow package directions for noodles. When done, dump the spaetzle into a colander and quickly rinse with cool water.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the spaetzle, tossing to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to give the noodles some color, then sprinkle with chives and season with salt and pepper.

GERMAN EGG NOODLES: SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Combine flour, eggs, and salt. Add enough water to make a batter the consistency of light cookie dough. Beat well until some air bubbles develop. Let the batter rest.
• Prepare a large pot with salted water. Bring to a boil. Scrape thin rolls of batter from a chopping board or run the batter through a sieve or spaetzle maker into the boiling water.
• Remove cooked spaetzle from the boiling water with a strainer and serve immediately or place in warm water if you are using the noodles soon but not immediately, or place noodles in cold water if you will be refrigerating or freezing.

FARMHOUSE CHICKEN SOUP WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Place the chicken, water and broth into a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, melt butter in a preheated skillet; add the onion, celery and carrots. Saute on medium heat for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another two minutes. Add the sauteed onion, celery, carrots and garlic to the boiling stock. Add salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is tender and broth is flavorful.
• Remove chicken from broth; cool. Skim fat from broth. Remove meat from bones; discard bones and skin. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; return to broth. Cover and simmer while preparing spaetzle.
• For spaetzle, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and nutmeg in a small bowl. Stir in the eggs, milk and parsley; blend well. With a rubber spatula, push batter through a large-hole grater or colander into the simmering soup. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until spaetzle float to the top.

SWEET AND SPICY GARLIC KIELBASA WITH SAUTEED HERB SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Mix flour, basil, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper together in a large bowl, and make a well in the center of the mixture.
• Whisk eggs and 1 cup water together in a medium bowl. Pour into the well in the flour. Stir until well combined; spaetzle dough will be thick and sticky.
• Bring remaining 4 cups water to a boil in a pot over high heat; add salt.
• Meanwhile, place spaetzle dough onto a cutting board. Slice off tiny dollops of dough, about the size of a pretzel stick, using a sharp knife. Drop into boiling water and cook until they float to the top of the pot, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer dollops to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add brown sugar, garlic, and cayenne and stir until sugar is melted, about 1 minute. Add kielbasa and cooked spaetzle to butter mixture; stir over medium-high heat until kielbasa is warmed, 4 to 5 minutes.

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk the flour with the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and milk. Gradually mix the milk and eggs into the flour to make a sticky batter.
• Spray both sides of a colander with 1/4-inch-wide holes (see Cook's Note) with cooking spray then spoon the batter into the colander. Hold the colander directly above the pot of boiling water (using an oven mitt if necessary) and working quickly, use a rubber spatula to push the batter through the holes into the water. Simmer until all of the spaetzle float to the surface and are tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Toss the spaetzle with the butter and sprinkle with herbs, if using.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH SOUP WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a 3 quart pot, melt the butter; add onion and garlic and cook on low heat until onions are soft and translucent.
• Add the paprika, thyme, and flour and stir until the onions are coated, about 2-3 minutes.
• Whisk in the stock and cook until soup thickens. Simmer on low for 30 minutes.
• Add the chicken and spaetzle (recipe below) and salt and pepper.
• Use a ladle to set aside a small amount of soup. Mix the sour cream with the small amount of reserved soup, and then add the whole mixture into the large pot of soup. This allows the temperature of the sour cream to adjust gradually. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
• For the homemade spaetzle, if you are using: While the soup is cooking, put a large pot or pan of water on to boil.
• Combine spaetzle ingredients until they are smooth.
• Run the thick batter through a spaetzle maker or a colander. Drop into the boiling water, and remove the noodles when they float.
• Add directly to the hot soup.

SPAETZLE (NOODLES)

Steps:

• Sift flour, salt and nutmeg together in a bowl.
• Pour eggs and 1/4 cup water into middle of flour mixture, beat with a wooden spoon.
• Add enough water to make the dough slightly sticky, yet keeping it elastic and stiff.
• Using a spätzle machine or a colander with medium holes, press the noodles into a large pot full of boiling salted water.
• Cook noodles in the water about 5 minutes or until they rise to the surface.
• Lift noodles out and drain on paper towels.
• Brown noodles in melted butter over low heat.

HERBED SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine 3/4 cup water, the eggs, salt and flour. Whisk well, until the dough is soft and sticky.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. When the butter begins to foam, add the garlic, chives, parsley and marjoram. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add the white wine and allow to reduce for a minute. Keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Transfer the spaetzle batter to a colander with small holes. Set the colander above the boiling water and, using a spatula or bench scraper, press the batter through the holes and directly into the water. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the spaetzle float to the surface. Drain and immediately add the spaetzle to the pan with the butter sauce. Over high heat, toss the spaetzle and the sauce together for 30 to 40 seconds, or until the spaetzle sizzles. Sprinkle with some grated Parmesan and serve.

GREEN BEANS AND SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, nutmeg, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and five tablespoons oil until smooth, then whisk milk mixture into the flour mixture until combined.
• Bring the water to a boil in a large pot; add salt. Working in batches, pass batter through a potato ricer fitted with a 1/8-inch-hole blade into the water (or push through large holes of a colander with a rubber spatula). Cook until spaetzle float to the top, about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a colander. Repeat until all batter is used.
• Heat remaining two tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beans, saute until just tender. Add spaetzle, season with salt and pepper, and cook until heated through. Serve immediately; garnish with parsley.