Cheesy Spaetzle Bake with Caramelized Onions
Indulge in the delightful combination of pillowy spaetzle, rich Gruyère cheese, and sweetly caramelized onions. This comforting dish is perfect for lunch or a cozy snack any day of the week, and it highlights the beautiful balance between savory and sweet. Make it ahead for easy meal prep, and simply reheat for a warm and satisfying treat. Experience the essence of comfort food with every bite!
6
Servings
250
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
1 3/4 cups (none)
egg yolks
4 large (none)
egg
1 large (none)
all-purpose flour
3 cups (none)
freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon plus to taste (none)
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon plus to taste (none)
peanut oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
unsalted butter
1 tablespoon (cut into small pieces)
shredded Gruyère cheese
1 1/2 cups (5 ounces) (shredded)
white onion
1 medium (thinly sliced)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg yolks, and whole egg until well combined.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, freshly grated nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mix, stirring with a wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to enhance the flavors.
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water. Place a colander with large holes over the boiling water. Pour about 1/2 cup of the spaetzle batter into the colander and press it through with a spatula or the back of a spoon, allowing the dumplings to drop into the boiling water. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4
Once all the spaetzle is in the water, let it cook until it rises to the surface, then continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked spaetzle into the ice water to stop the cooking process. Once chilled, drain well and return the spaetzle to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat.
5
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with the remaining tablespoon of peanut oil. Spread the cooked spaetzle evenly in the dish, dot with small pieces of unsalted butter, and generously sprinkle with shredded Gruyère cheese.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the spaetzle is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7
Meanwhile, heat the last tablespoon of peanut oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they soften (about 1 minute). Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking while stirring occasionally until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 15 minutes.
8
Once the spaetzle is baked and the onions are caramelized, scatter the cooked onions over the cheesy spaetzle. Serve immediately and enjoy the blissful flavors!
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
26g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Spaetzle Bake with Caramelized Onions?
It is a comforting dish featuring pillowy spaetzle dumplings, rich Gruyere cheese, and sweet caramelized onions.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups (5 ounces) of shredded Gruyere cheese.
How long should the spaetzle batter be refrigerated?
The batter should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour or overnight to enhance the flavors.
What oven temperature is required?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How do I form the spaetzle dumplings?
Press the batter through a colander with large holes using a spatula into a pot of boiling water.
What is the purpose of the ice water bath?
The ice water bath stops the cooking process immediately after the spaetzle is boiled.
How long should the spaetzle bake in the oven?
Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
It takes about 15 minutes over medium-low heat to deeply caramelize the onions.
What kind of onions are used?
The recipe uses one medium white onion, thinly sliced.
Can I use whole eggs in the batter?
The recipe uses a combination of 4 large egg yolks and 1 large whole egg.
Is there nutmeg in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg is added to the flour mixture.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9-by-13-inch baking dish is recommended.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
The recipe requires 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 13 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 26 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 7.5 grams of protein.
Which oil is used for cooking?
Peanut oil is used, divided for tossing the spaetzle, greasing the dish, and cooking onions.
How much milk is used in the batter?
The batter requires 1 and 3/4 cups of milk.
Should I overmix the batter?
No, you should stir until just combined; it is okay if there are a few lumps.
How do I know when the boiled spaetzle is done?
The dumplings are ready once they rise to the surface and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
When do I add the caramelized onions?
Scatter the onions over the cheesy spaetzle after the dish has finished baking.
Can this recipe be used for meal prep?
Yes, it can be made ahead and easily reheated for a satisfying treat.
How is the baking dish prepared?
Lightly grease the baking dish with one tablespoon of peanut oil.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 ingredients in this recipe.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include spaetzle, cheesy, bake, caramelized onions, comfort food, and German cuisine.
How do I cook the onions initially?
Heat oil over high heat and cook sliced onions for about 1 minute until they soften before reducing heat.
What should I do after draining the chilled spaetzle?
Return it to a bowl, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently.
Is unsalted butter used?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter cut into small pieces is dotted over the dish before baking.