Cheese Spaetzle (Käsespätzle) is a German dish close to a Mac and Cheese! This pure comfort Bavarian recipe is made with homemade German egg noodles and Emmental or Jarlsberg cheese. Bring this dish out to celebrate Oktoberfest but you can also make it for any night of the week too!
Recently, my daughter Amber had Kaesepaetzle, or cheese spaetzle, in a local German delicatessen and promptly asked me why I don’t make it. I used to cook it quite often but usually don’t make Kaesespaetzle. I didn’t really have an answer, and I do own a spaetzle maker, so why not try it? The end result was this very delicious Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Kaesespaetzle).
I made this recipe for her and she said she liked mine even better! I have to admit it made me really proud to hear that! This recipe also goes amazing with our rouladen recipe or with our schnitzel. Both are fantastic comfort food recipes!!

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Steel Spaetzle Maker with Comfort Grip Handle
What is Spaetzle Made From?

Spaetzle is made from flour, eggs, and milk, or water, and salt, and pepper. Essentially, it is a German egg noodle that goes wonderfully with all German cuisine but can be a meal by itself. It is like taking macaroni and cheese to another level!!
You can chop up the onion and caramelize it and then add it right into the spaetzle, or add the caramelized onions on top. You can also add loads of cheese. I did cut back compared to many recipes that I saw as it can get extremely rich.
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
Butter
Onions
Salt and sugar
Spaetzle
All-purpose flour
Salt
Eggs
Water
Jarlsberg or Emmental cheese
Spaetzle makers are very inexpensive and you sure don’t need a fancy one, as a simple one does the trick. It is like a grater with a slider and the dough falls through into the boiling water as you slide the compartment where the dough sits back and forth.
Can You Buy Spaetzle at the Grocery Store?

You can, in fact, buy the noodles at the grocery store but with a spaetzle maker and a little time, it’s easy to make it yourself at home. If you want to try your hand at homemade German spaetzle and don’t have a spaetzle maker and aren’t interested in getting one right away you can use a metal colander and a wooden spatula and press the dough through the holes.
How to Make Spaetzle
Start by caramelizing the onions and then you can set them aside and continue making the spaetzle.
The recipe to make it is very straightforward, simply whisk together 4 eggs and1 ½ cups of water in a large bowl. Then in the bowl whisk in 3 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt by adding them a cup at a time. Mix until a dough has formed.
Take the dough and run it through a spaetzle maker in batches. You can drop the spaetzle noodles directly into boiling water – just be sure not to overcrowd the pot.
Cook the spaetzle in a large pot of boiling water over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes or until it floats. Remove using a slotted spoon. Repeat until all of the dough has been used.
To make Cheese Spaetzle, grate 250 grams of Jarlsberg or Swiss cheese and set aside. Caramelize 2 thinly sliced onions in a large pan with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and half a teaspoon each of salt and sugar. Sauté on medium-low until caramelized. Add half the cooked noodles, half the caramelized onions, and half the grated cheese to a greased casserole dish then add the other half of each item on top. Bake, at 350˚F with a lid on for 20 minutes, then remove lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Ooey, gooey, cheesy decadence!! You will be wanting to make this right away! It makes a great side for so many dishes or a perfect vegetarian dinner too with salad!
A gorgeous egg noodle wrapped up in Jarlsberg cheese and served with a scattering of caramelized onions.



Cheese Spaetzle Recipe (Kaesespaetzle)
A gorgeous egg noodle wrapped up in Jarlsberg cheese and served with a scattering of caramelized onions.
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 2 onions, cut in half and thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp. each salt and sugar
Spaetzle
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 250 gms. (9 oz.) Jarlsberg or Emmental, grated
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet and saute on medium-low the onion with the salt and sugar until caramelized. It could take up to 20 min.
- Butter an 8x11" casserole and set aside.
- Whisk together the eggs with the water and stir in the flour and salt until combined.
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil.
- Run the dough through a spaetzle maker in batches, into the boiling water. Boil for 2 min. or until it floats. Remove spaetzle with a slotted spoon to a bowl and continue cooking until all are done.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Place half the spaetzle in the prepared casserole with half the cheese and onions and then repeat. Bake for 20 min. covered. Uncover and bake for 10 more min.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 343Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 679mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 11g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Comments & Reviews
Pamela Morse says
I am making this Tara. I love it and it is so easy to just make it myself rather than seek it out in the world…not so easy around here. Thanks for the inspiration
Tara Noland says
Enjoy, I am sure you will love it!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
mmmm I adore anything with cheese and caramelized onions, and spaetzle is a new fave!
Randa says
I love Spaetzle but I’ve never had the cheese version before. I really must try this. Sounds fantastic.
Tara Noland says
You will love Kaesespaetzle, so good!!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Holy. Moly. This might be the most delicious thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Jeni Hawkins says
YUM!!! I’m thinking of making this on Monday night! I haven’t had anything like it, but LOVE cheese, so it’s perfect for me! Thanks!
Jeanette says
I have never heard of this but I am definitely going to try it. I need an idea for tonight and I think this might be the right one. It looks so good.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This sounds perfect for my kids! They love cheesy meals!
TColeman says
This looks really delicious! I am going to have to give this a try because I love cheese.
Liz Mays says
This sounds so tasty! I think it would make for an incredible comfort meal for a cold day! Great recipe!
Kathy says
This sounds really good. I’ve never had anything like this before. I can’t wait to try it though. I’m sure it’s going to be really good.
Jonna says
That looks amazing! What a creative recipe. I’ve never tried anything like it but I’m totally intrigued and going to go out and get the ingredients! Thanks!
gingermommyrants says
This Cheese Spaetzle recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to make this on the weekend. I am always looking for new dishes to try.
Claudia Krusch says
Cheese Spaetzle is one of my favorite dishes to make. It is always a big hit when we bring it to a potluck.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have never tried Cheese Spaetzle before. It looks so good I want to try it right now. I am excited to get the ingredients and give the recipe a try.
Kassandra says
I loooooove spaetzle! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Aimee Smith says
I love German food. This looks amazing, those caramelized onions are perfect!
Jocelyn @Hip Mama's Place says
YUM! You had me at cheese! This looks amazing, I will definitely be trying this recipe.
xero login says
This looks like a great meals for family nights or even parties. I love that kaesespaetzle flavor ! This recipe is a keeper!
Olivia douglass says
I am going to have to make this! Thanks for sharing the delicious recipe!
Angela says
This looks so cheesy and wonderful. I’ve never made spaetzle but might just have to give it a try.
Melissa says
As a vegetarian I am ALWAYS looking for yummy new recipes and this one looks absolutely delish! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Reesa Lewandowski says
Oh my goodness I need to try this asap!!! I have never had spaetzle before!
Myrah Duque says
Oh My! I MUST make this! Never heard of it and I have a German friend! I will make it for her and surprise her! Show her my culinary skills. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Jennifer says
You had me at cheese. This looks way too darn good. I love doing stuff like this. Comfort food. Yup.. love the caramelized onions too.
Caroline says
Actually, you don’t need a spaetzle maker. Just lay the dough out onto a cutting board, using your butter-knife, cut off random shapes and bits, periodically dropping them into the water to boil until they float. By the time you’re done with cutting the next batch, your one before should be floating. I love spaetzle! Try browning it in the skillet with butter, garlic and parsley after you’ve boiled it.
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much for this information!!
raju says
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Tara Noland says
So glad you liked it!! Thanks for taking the time to tell me.