This spaetzle casserole, known as Käsespätzle Auflauf in Germany is a true comfort food masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that will take your taste buds on a journey to Southern Germany.
Imagine chewy spaetzle noodles, tasty cheese, with savory diced ham and crispy fried onions. This dish is the perfect combination of comforting and delicious, making it the ultimate delicious dish on a cold winter evening.
But that's not all, this dish is not only cozy, but also budget friendly. It's the perfect way to use up cheese, meat and veggie leftovers. It is also a wonderful dish to make in advance and simply reheat it later, it's a great time saver.

This spaetzle casserole recipe was inspired by my traditional German cheese spaetzle, which you should also try if you are a fan of German comfort food.
If you would like to make spaetzle from scratch you can find the recipe here: Authentic Swabian Spaetzle. It is way easier than you think!
How is this dish called in German?
The Swabian spaetzle dish is called "Käsespätzle mit Schinken".
How to pronounce "Käsespätzle"?
Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Käsespätzle" in German.
Authentic German Cheese Spätzle with Ham Recipe
Recipe

Cheese Spaetzle with Ham - Käsespätzle mit Schinken
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaetzle
- 8 oz. shredded Bergkäse alternative Cheese of your liking
- 8 oz. ham
- 2 large onions
- 2 tbsp. butter
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Swabian spaetzle according recipe or package instructions.
- Peel the onions, slice finely and fry golden brown in butter.
- In the meantime, cube the ham.
- Layer spaetzle, ham cubes, fried onions and cheese in a greased casserole pan.
- Season each layer of spätzle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in a 400 F pre-heated oven for about 20-25 min. or until the top is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Serve Cheese Spaetzle with Ham Casserole?
Serve with a side salad or with a creamy German dill cucumber salad.
Tip
This recipe makes perfect use of left over ham.
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