5 Ingredient Spaetzle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How is spaetzle different from pasta? ›

While the ingredients to make the two are quite similar, the processes aren't so much. To make pasta, you form a firm dough that is kneaded, rested, rolled and shaped however you like. On the other hand, spaetzle is a sort of sticky, wet batter that doesn't hold it's shape like a ball of pasta dough would.

All-purpose white flour, eggs, water, and salt. Some people actually make them with only 3 ingredients: flour, eggs, and salt. No water. German Spaetzle made without water is a lot more yellow and has a stronger taste, however, they are much harder to press through the scraper or Spaetzle press.

In everyday language usage, the two names refer to the same product made from the same dough and are interchangeable. There is no clear distinction between how the two names are used, and usage varies from region to region (for example, in Alsace, knöple are typically larger than spätzle).

You often see it with veal or pork, but chicken is also popular and it's my preference for summer. The meat is pounded thin and breaded in a mix of breadcrumbs or panko and quickly fried.

What kind of flour should or could I use for Spaetzle? Always Plain to start! Depending on your diet or adventurous spirit, you can try any flour or a combination of flours. Chick Pea flour gives it a lovely nutty taste but I would mix that with a wholemeal or plain flour to start.

wheat flour. Type 405 wheat flour is probably the most widely used today for spätzle. Type 405 indicates how high the degree of milling and the content of minerals such as magnesium or potassium. 405 indicates that approximately 405 milligrams of minerals are contained in 100 grams of flour.

German Spätzle, from German dialect, diminutive of Spatz sparrow, dumpling.

The best side dishes to serve with spaetzle are red cabbage, pork schnitzel, bratwurst, or borscht if you are looking for a classic pairing. For some less traditional options, you can eat spaetzle with sauteed zucchini and summer squash, chicken and mushrooms, or carrot fries.

The lumpy, handmade noodles are a staple of German, Austrian, Swiss, Czech, and Hungarian home cooking. Think of them as small, imperfect, not-fussy versions of gnocchi. In German, “spaetzle” (or “spätzle”) means “l*ttle sparrows,” but they usually look more like irregular blobs of dough.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the spaetzle to a colander and then plunge them in a bowl of very cold water. This firms them up to the desired consistency. Toss with olive oil or melted butter to keep from sticking. At this point, spaetzle will keep in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days until ready to serve.

What pasta is similar to spaetzle? ›

Knoepfle is the Swiss version of Spaetzle, an drop noodle made of an egg noodle dough. It's our family tradition and they are the best holiday side dish recipe.

They say that in earlier times, spaetzle were formed into tiny pieces of dough, either purely by hand, or with the help of a spoon. The result slightly resembled a sparrow (Spatz), which is why they were also called “Spatzen”.

Spaetzle is basically a blank, buttery canvas that will absorb whatever flavorings you care to mix into it. I've served the dumplings plain with melted butter and chopped chives. I've crisped them in a pan of brown butter and almonds. I've topped them with hearty beef stew.

What is eaten with most German meals that is not considered a side dish? Bread. Bread can be made with or without yeast.

Spätzle are loved in Germany and are part of its identity and cooking-culture. Although Spätzle are served and enjoyed throughout Germany, they are considered a specialty of the Swabian (Schwaben) region.