What to Serve With Spaetzle: 15 Best Side Dishes

Pairing spaetzle with the right sides can transform your meal into a culinary delight. Sauerbraten, a traditional pot roast, offers rich, tangy flavors that complement spaetzle beautifully. Red cabbage, with its sweet and tangy notes, adds color and vitamins. Bratwurst, either grilled or pan-fried, provides a hearty and satisfying option, especially with German mustard. For a creamy touch, try a mushroom sauce with wild mushrooms. Roasted chicken, seasoned with aromatic herbs, balances the spaetzle harmoniously. These options, accompanied by delightful choices like cheese sauce or Bavarian pretzels, create a perfect feast. Discover these and more to elevate your dining experience.

Sauerbraten

german marinated pot roast

Sauerbraten, a traditional German pot roast, pairs exceptionally well with spaetzle due to its rich, tangy flavors. This dish is renowned for its unique marinade techniques, which often include vinegar and traditional spices like cloves and juniper berries.

The marinade tenderizes the meat, imparting a depth of flavor that complements the soft, pillowy texture of spaetzle, making every bite a delightful experience.

Red Cabbage

purple vegetable for dinner

A classic accompaniment to spaetzle, red cabbage offers a slightly sweet and tangy contrast that enhances the overall dining experience.

This vibrant side dish not only adds color but also boasts health benefits, being rich in vitamins and fiber.

Pair it with a light red wine to complement its flavors, making your meal both delicious and nutritious.

Bratwurst

sizzling sausage on grill

Pairing spaetzle with bratwurst creates a hearty and satisfying meal, combining the soft, tender noodles with the robust flavors of the savory sausage.

To elevate this classic combination, use traditional cooking techniques to grill or pan-fry the bratwurst.

Serve with a side of German mustard, which complements the dish perfectly, adding a tangy zest that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Mushroom Sauce

savory umami mushroom dish

Elevating the flavor of spaetzle, a rich and creamy mushroom sauce brings an earthy depth to the dish.

Using wild mushrooms in the cream sauce enhances the complexity, offering a blend of textures and flavors that complement the soft, eggy noodles.

The sauce's velvety consistency melds seamlessly with the spaetzle, creating a harmonious and satisfying culinary experience that is both comforting and refined.

Roasted Chicken

flavorful herb roasted chicken dish

Why not pair spaetzle with roasted chicken to create a balanced and hearty meal?

The succulent chicken, seasoned with aromatic herbs, complements the tender spaetzle perfectly.

Utilizing simple cooking techniques, such as roasting, enhances the chicken's natural flavors while keeping it moist.

This combination guarantees a delightful culinary experience, making it an ideal choice for any family dinner or special gathering.

Creamed Spinach

savory vegetable side dish

Creamed spinach, with its rich and velvety texture, serves as a perfect accompaniment to spaetzle.

The combination of spinach cream and nutmeg seasoning creates a delightful flavor profile that complements the tender noodles.

This dish effortlessly blends the earthiness of spinach with the creamy richness, making it a satisfying side that enhances the overall dining experience.

It's both comforting and delicious.

Pork Schnitzel

tender breaded pork cutlets

Pork schnitzel, with its crispy breaded exterior and tender, juicy interior, makes for an excellent pairing with spaetzle. This dish is typically prepared by frying breaded pork cutlets until golden brown.

Various cooking methods can be used, such as pan-frying or deep-frying. For a flavorful experience, consider sauce pairing options like creamy mushroom sauce or tangy lemon butter, enhancing the overall taste.

Green Beans

nutritious vegetable side dish

A side of tender green beans provides a fresh and vibrant contrast to the rich and hearty flavors of spaetzle. Sautéed in garlic butter, these green beans achieve a delightful, savory taste.

Adding almond slivers not only enhances the texture but also introduces a subtle nuttiness. This combination guarantees a balanced and satisfying meal, making it an excellent accompaniment to spaetzle.

Beef Goulash

comforting hungarian beef stew

For a truly comforting and hearty meal, serve spaetzle alongside a robust beef goulash, which offers rich, savory flavors that complement the soft, pillowy texture of the spaetzle.

This classic dish, with its slow cooked preparation, allows the tender beef to absorb the rich paprika flavor, creating a delectable combination.

The hearty goulash perfectly balances the lightness of spaetzle, making it an ideal pairing.

Sauerkraut

fermented cabbage dish popular in germany

Sauerkraut, with its tangy and slightly sour profile, provides an excellent contrast to the tender, buttery spaetzle, enhancing the overall dining experience.

A staple in many fermented recipes, sauerkraut offers numerous health benefits, including probiotics that support digestive health.

This combination not only pleases the palate but also contributes to a balanced, nutritious meal, making it a delightful and wholesome pairing.

Grilled Vegetables

delicious and healthy option

Complementing the tangy notes of sauerkraut, grilled vegetables bring a savory and slightly smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the tender texture of spaetzle.

Marinated asparagus, with its subtle crispness, and herb-infused zucchini, rich in aromatic flavors, elevate the dish to a new level.

These vegetables add a vibrant and nutritious element, making the meal both wholesome and delightful.

Cheese Sauce

cheesy pasta craving satisfied

A rich, velvety cheese sauce can transform spaetzle into an indulgent and comforting dish. By exploring different cheese varieties like Gruyère, Emmental, or sharp cheddar, you can create a sauce that suits your palate.

Achieving the perfect sauce consistency is key; it should be smooth and creamy, coating each piece of spaetzle without being overly thick or runny.

Bavarian Pretzels

delicious salty baked treats

When paired with spaetzle, Bavarian pretzels offer a delightful contrast in texture and a complementary flavor that enhances the overall dining experience. Their crisp exterior and soft interior provide a perfect balance.

For added enjoyment, consider a beer pairing that suits the meal, and don't forget the mustard dipping sauce. This combination promises a satisfying and flavorful addition to your table.

Apple Sauce

sweet and tangy mixture

For a touch of sweetness, apple sauce pairs wonderfully with spaetzle, adding an invigorating contrast to the savory notes of the dish.

Various apple varieties can be used in sauce recipes to achieve different flavors, from tart to sweet.

Homemade apple sauce, made with fresh apples, enhances the overall experience, making it a delightful complement to the hearty spaetzle.

What are some great side dishes to serve with spaetzle, similar to sliders?

Looking for the best side dishes for sliders to serve with spaetzle? Try pairing it with a fresh green salad, coleslaw, or some crispy sweet potato fries. For a healthier option, consider roasted vegetables or a quinoa salad. These tasty sides will perfectly complement your spaetzle just like sliders.

Lentil Soup

vegetarian comfort food delight

Pairing spaetzle with lentil soup creates a hearty and satisfying meal that brings out the best in both dishes. This traditional combination not only highlights the rich, earthy flavors of the lentils but also serves as an excellent vegetarian option.

The smooth, tender texture of the spaetzle complements the thick, nourishing broth of the lentil soup, making it a perfect, balanced meal.