This satisfying German pasta dish is adapted from the one served at Spatenhaus an der Oper in Munich. The trick to transforming the soft dough into delicate, tender dumplings is well-aerated eggs and and mastering the delivery of batter into the boiling water. Consider picking up an easy-to-use spätzle-maker, or use a bowl scraper and a colander or a potato ricer to extrude the batter directly into the pot.
Featured In “Learn to Make Spätzle: Germany’s Favorite Comfort Food” by Benjamin Kemper.
Yield: 4
Time: 45 minutes
- 1¾ cups plus 2 Tbsp. (9 oz.) all-purpose flour, divided
- 1½ tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more
- 1 large yellow onion (7 oz.), half thinly sliced, half finely chopped
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 5 large eggs
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup (4 oz.) grated Bavarian bergkäse cheese or Gruyère
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped chives
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of the flour and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Add the sliced half of the onion and toss to coat.
- To a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the sliced onions (leave the excess flour behind) and fry, using tongs to stir occasionally, until crisp and golden brown, 9–10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Transfer the oil in the skillet to a heatproof bowl and cool completely before discarding. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Meanwhile, return the skillet to the stove and place over medium heat. Add the butter. When it has melted and the foam begins to subside, add the chopped half of the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent but not yet browned, 8–9 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until very frothy. Add the nutmeg and the remaining flour and salt and whisk to a uniform, thick batter. Continue whisking until bubbles slowly rise to the surface when you stop whisking, about 2 minutes more.
- When the water begins to boil, place a spätzle maker or a heat-resistant colander with large holes over the pot. Pour the batter onto the spätzle maker or colander. Working quickly, use a bowl scraper or rubber spatula to force the all of the batter through the holes. Immediately stir the water gently to separate any stuck pieces. When the water returns to a boil, cook the spätzle for 2 minutes, then drain them and rinse well under cold water.
- Return the large skillet with the chopped onions to the stove and place it over medium-high heat. When the onions begin to sizzle, add the spätzle and cheese. Stir until the spätzle is hot and the cheese is fully melted. Season to taste with salt, then transfer to a large bowl or four small plates. Top with the chives and reserved fried onions, sprinkle with black pepper, and serve immediately.
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