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Älplermagronen Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 79 reviews

Älplermagronen is a traditional Swiss Alpine macaroni and cheese dish featuring tender pasta and potatoes cooked together, enriched with creamy cheese sauce, caramelized onions, crispy bacon lardons, and served alongside smooth homemade applesauce. This hearty and comforting recipe balances savory and sweet flavors, perfect for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon Lardons

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ¼-inch-wide strips

Caramelized Onions

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or 2 tablespoons bacon drippings)
  • 2 onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Applesauce

  • 3 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed (such as Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Golden Delicious)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons water

Macaroni and Potatoes

  • 10 ounces (280 grams) waxy potatoes, cubed
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) tubular macaroni (such as ziti, penne, cavatappi, cellentani, elbows, or hörnli)

Cheese Sauce

  • ¾ cup half-and-half, light cream, or single cream
  • 8 ounces (225 grams / about 2 cups) grated Appenzeller or Gruyère cheese
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the bacon lardons: Add the bacon strips to a cold frying pan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring regularly, until the fat renders out and the bacon is browned and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the lardons with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
  2. Caramelize the onions: In the same or a separate frying pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter or reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the cooked lardons for extra flavor. Add the thinly sliced onions, season with kosher salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Make the applesauce: Place the peeled and cubed apples in a saucepan with 3 to 4 tablespoons of water. Cover and simmer gently over medium-low heat, stirring once or twice, until the apples are completely tender, about 20 minutes. Use a fork to mash the apples into a smooth sauce. Set aside.
  4. Cook the potatoes and macaroni: In a large pot, add the cubed potatoes and cover generously with salted water. Bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until the macaroni is barely al dente and the potatoes are tender, approximately 10 minutes for ziti or appropriate time depending on the pasta shape. For smaller pasta shapes with shorter cook times, boil the potatoes alone briefly before adding the pasta. Drain well.
  5. Create the cheese sauce: Return the drained macaroni and potatoes to the pot and add the cream. Place over medium heat and stir until the cream is warmed through, about a minute. Add the grated Appenzeller or Gruyère cheese, a pinch of salt, and freshly grated nutmeg. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and forms a thick, luscious sauce coating the pasta and potatoes.
  6. Serve: Plate the cheesy Alpine macaroni mixture and top with the caramelized onions and crispy bacon lardons if using. Serve the applesauce on the side, either to combine with the dish or enjoy as a dessert, according to preference.

Notes

  • Choose waxy potatoes that hold their shape well during boiling, like Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
  • Gruyère and Appenzeller cheeses are traditional choices; they provide a robust, nutty flavor and smooth melting texture.
  • Adjust the amount of cream to achieve desired creaminess; light cream gives a richer sauce while half-and-half is lighter.
  • Bacon lardons are optional but add essential smoky flavor and texture contrast.
  • To make the recipe vegetarian, omit the bacon lardons and use butter for caramelizing onions.
  • The applesauce adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory richness of the dish.
  • Use freshly grated nutmeg for the best aromatic flavor.
  • Be mindful not to overcook the pasta to keep a firm yet tender bite.

Keywords: Swiss macaroni and cheese, Alpine pasta, Älplermagronen recipe, traditional Swiss dish, cheesy pasta, bacon lardons, caramelized onions, homemade applesauce

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/alplermagronen-recipe/