Swabian (German) Lentils with Egg Noodles (Spätzle) and Sausage ( also known as Schwäbische Linsen mit Spätzle und Würstchen). A quick classic German dinner with egg noodles & lentils, accompanied by delicious sausage.
Today we are going to make a traditional delicacy from the southern regions of Germany (Swabia). This lovely dish features the famous German egg noodles, mixed with lentils and topped with a sausage. The combination between lentils and noodles makes for a filling, delicious dinner that the whole family can enjoy. If you like German noodles or lentils be sure to check out my recipes for Egg Noodles (Spätzle) with cheesy shiitake mushrooms and broccoli sauce, the Turkish Bulgur Pilaf with lentils or French Green Lentils Soup (Instant Pot) – Soupe de lentilles vertes.
FUN FACTS: Egg noodles (or Spätzle) are traditional German pasta with eggs – the only difference is that German noodles are fluffy and soft, compared to traditional Italian pasta prepared with semolina flour. In the past, lentils with spätzle became a cornerstone of Swabian cuisine, deeply tied to rural and peasant traditions. With time, variations began to emerge, with the addition of sausages or smoked meat (like Saitenwürstle, Speck or Wienerle) to the dish as prosperity increased.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Store-bought (homemade) German egg noodles (Spätzle)
- German lentils, or any other variety with harder skin like these French green lentils
- Onion, minced
- Leeks, cut in circles
- Small carrot, shredded (optional)
- Vegetable oil
- Sausages (like Vienna Sausage) – personally, I like to use seasoned boiled sausage from the local store
- Water for cooking egg noodles and lentils
- Seasoning: salt, pepper and nutmeg
Note: You can also add parsley or chives when serving.
How to cook Swabian Egg noodles with lentils?
1st: Sauté onions, leeks and carrots in oil. Add cut sausage and brown further. Cook lentils in water and strain. Add to sausage, season well to taste.
2nd: Boil egg noodles and strain. Serve by layering noodles at the bottom, lentils and sausage mix on top.
How long do Swabian noodles take to cook?
Swabian noodles, also known as “Spätzle,” are a beloved traditional German pasta originating from the Swabian region in southern Germany. The dough is either scraped off a board or pressed through a special tool called a “Spätzle press” into boiling water. The resulting noodles are soft, slightly chewy, and have an irregular, rustic shape.
Once you’ve prepared the dough and pressed it into boiling water (or if store-bought noodles are used just add them to boiling water), the noodles cook quickly – usually within 2-4 minutes.
Swabian Lentils with Egg Noodles and Sausage
Equipment
- 2 cooking pots with lid
- 1 cutting board with knife
Ingredients
- 200 g store-bought German egg noodles, Spätzle
- 50 g German lentils, or any other variety
- 1 medium onion, minced
- 1 stick leeks, cut in circles
- 1 small carrot, shredded (optional)
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 6 sausages (like Vienna Sausage)
- water for cooking egg noodles and lentils
Seasoning
- pinch of nutmeg
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large soup pan with lid bring water to a boil. Then add egg noodles and let simmer until noodles are cooked (5-10 minutes or until noodles emerge on the top). Strain noodles from water and set aside.
- In the meantime, in a separate cooking pot sauté minced onion, shredded carrot and leeks in oil until slightly brownish. Add sausage in (cut or whole) and sauté further for a few minutes.
- In a separate cooking pot add water and lentils and bring to a boil. Let simmer, until lentils are fully cooked. Strain from water and mix lentils with the browned sausage.
- Season lentils & sausage with nutmeg, salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately by layering egg noodles and lentil & sausage mix on top.
Notes
Nutrition
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Great recipe.