Delicious Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Spaetzle

Spaetzle is a type of dumpling that hails from the Swabian region of Germany.

It’s a tasty yet simple dish made by pushing dough through a press or colander directly into boiling water to form small noodle-like pieces.

Usually, spaetzle is boiled and then sautéed in butter before serving.

It’s a versatile recipe that can be served as a side dish or main course.

There are various methods and recipes available for making spaetzle, but the most important thing to remember is to take your time while forming the dough into small pieces.

If the dough is not thin enough, it will be tough and chewy when cooked.

You can add flavor to spaetzle by adding herbs, spices, or even cheese when mixing the dough.

Spaetzle pairs well with many different flavors, but the most popular pairing is fried onions.

Also delicious are roasted meats like pork or chicken, cream-based sauces like garlic velouté, or in a rich beef broth with pieces of marrow and a side salad.

In this article, you’ll find eight of the best side dishes to serve with spaetzle for a delicious meal.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Spaetzle?

If you want to make something other than noodles or dumplings for your spaetzle, try serving it as a side dish.

Since it’s more of a doughy food than a chewy one, it tends to pair well with other foods with a crispy or chewy exterior.

Since it’s usually served in a rich sauce, this makes a good accompaniment to foods with heavy sauces as well, such as pork chops.

Additionally, the doughy texture of spaetzle provides a nice contrast with the crunchiness of some vegetables and fruits.

Another reason to consider serving side dishes for spaetzle is that it’s often available in bulk order.

This makes it easy to make a large amount of them, and you can serve them with different sauces or different sauces mixed to provide more variety.

What to Serve with Spaetzle? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are a few suggested dishes to serve with spaetzle.

There are plenty more possibilities; these eight suggestions will give you a good start.

1 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are small cabbage-like vegetables that can be cooked in many different ways.

Many enjoy this side dish roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

If you want to mix things up, you can roast the brussels sprouts with bacon, onions, or garlic for extra flavor.

This dish takes approximately thirty minutes to finish, so it’s an excellent way to turn your spaetzle into dinner.

If you want to take this dish up a notch, there are other vegetables you can add that will go well with the brussels sprouts.

If you like mushrooms, tomatoes, or corn, you can include them in the mix for extra flavor and visual appeal.

2 – Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes go well with many meals, especially if they are mixed in with other ingredients.

This is why this dish goes so well with spaetzle.

Since the mashed potatoes match the doughy texture of the spaetzle, it creates a whole new layer of flavor.

Rather than making plain mashed potatoes, add some cheese.

The extra saltiness from the cheese will complement the spaetzle and other foods you pair them with, and you’ll create a side dish that’s perfect for holiday dinners and other special occasions.

In addition to cheese, there are other things you can add for added flavor, including buttered breadcrumbs, roasted garlic, horseradish, or even bacon.

3 – Sweet Potato Fries

This is a very simple dish that’s healthy and delicious.

It incorporates sweet potatoes, high in Vitamin A, making this a great side dish for the whole family.

To make this a complete meal, you’ll want to use a special sauce or seasoning mix to add extra flavor.

If you want Mexican-style sweet potato fries, you can make a mixture of chili powder, cumin, and garlic to top these off with.

If you are looking for something on the sweeter side rather than spicy, you can use cinnamon, allspice, or cloves.

Some people even like adding marshmallows to this dish.

4 – Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be eaten year-round.

The unique thing about asparagus is its preparation; many people grill or cook it with lemon juice to ensure it doesn’t turn brown.

Rather than roasting asparagus, you can steam it instead.

Asparagus is done when it turns a bright green color and can be eaten with just about anything.

If you want something different to serve with steamed asparagus, try serving it with Romesco sauce.

This Spanish-style red pepper sauce is easy to make and tastes great on everything from meatballs to potatoes.

5 – Cucumber Salad

Serving side dishes with spaetzle is a nice way to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your meal.

You can spruce up everyday veggies by making them into cucumber salad.

Cucumbers, also known as ‘coolers’ in parts of the United States, are more than just slightly slimy water bombs.

If you have cucumbers, salt, and pepper along with olive oil, you can whip up this simple salad in no time.

The ideal thing about cucumber salad is that it’s very easy to customize.

You can add other spices or flavorings, including dill, cilantro, or even fresh ginger, for an added kick.

If you plan to serve other rich or fried dishes, you can use this cucumber salad as a palate cleanser to ensure your guests are relaxed and comfortable.

6 – Duck Confit

This is a very special and expensive spaetzle dish that you’re probably not going to serve regularly, but it’s worth trying out.

This meal is very rich and filling, so this is the perfect thing for those who like duck or goose.

Duck confit is created by cooking duck legs in duck fat, salt, and pepper until tender.

Traditionally this was done to preserve the meat, but now it’s done for its strong flavor and texture.

If you’re looking for other related dishes to serve with duck confit, you can pair it with mashed potatoes or polenta.

Some people like serving it with vegetables like brussels sprouts or kale.

7 – Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten is a very traditional German dish made from marinated beef in buttermilk and spices.

This is usually served with red cabbage and potatoes, and it’s perfect for wintertime meals or any time you want something rich and hearty.

Once your meat has been marinated, use a heavy-bottomed pot to brown the pieces and then braise them.

Braising is very similar to stewing, and it’s a cooking method that uses low heat for a long period.

You can also add chopped carrots or onions to the pot as your meat cooks, so they absorb some of the flavors.

The traditional way to serve sauerbraten is with rye bread soaked in the broth.

This will soak up any extra juices from the meat, which are bursting with rich flavors.

8 – German Schnitzel

Schnitzel is a delicious side dish you can make in minutes.

It’s very similar to chicken-fried steak but much lighter and fluffier.

You can serve schnitzel with gravy or something like roasted vegetables for an extra kick of flavor.

If you are serving this to children, you probably want to avoid using too much butter or oil and instead cook it with broth or non-stick spray.

Schnitzel is traditionally served with cranberry sauce and applesauce, but you can choose any vegetable to serve with it.

If schnitzel isn’t your thing, then try serving spaetzle with roast beef, fried chicken, or even turkey.

Try serving it with a salad or fruit for a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors for something lighter.

Conclusion

Spaetzle is a simple side dish that compliments other dishes perfectly.

It tastes great with anything meaty or spicy, and it’s always a party favorite.

Whether you want something light or rich, there are always options for serving spaetzle with your meals.

It’s important to note that not all spaetzle dishes are created equal, so experiment with different flavors and spices to find the perfect side for you.

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