How to Make the Perfect Kid Friendly Spaetzle Mac and Cheese
German · Easy · 30 min · 4 servings
This kid friendly spaetzle recipe turns traditional German egg noodles into a rich cheesy dish that kids think is the ultimate upgraded mac and cheese. Parents searching for kid friendly recipes will love that spaetzle is incredibly easy to make from scratch with simple pantry ingredients.
Why this recipe works
This Kid Friendly Spaetzle Mac and Cheese recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere or cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Spaetzle Batter
Whisk together flour, eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl until a thick smooth batter forms with no lumps. The batter should be thick enough to slowly drip off a spoon.
Step 2: Cook the Spaetzle
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Press batter through a colander with large holes or a spaetzle maker directly into the boiling water and cook 2 to 3 minutes until noodles float to the surface.
Step 3: Saute in Butter
Drain the cooked spaetzle and melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spaetzle and toss to coat in butter, cooking 2 minutes until lightly golden on the edges.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Bake
Transfer buttered spaetzle to a baking dish, top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 400F for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and breadcrumbs are golden.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- Gruyere cheese → cheddar cheese for a more familiar flavor kids already love
- whole milk → water works fine in the batter for a dairy free spaetzle version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Making the batter too thin which produces mushy falling apart noodles in the boiling water
- Overcooking the spaetzle past when they float causing them to become gummy and dense
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 18g protein, 56g carbs, 18g fat, 2g fiber.
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