Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders

Ok, I know these Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders are a bit extra or even weird. However, if people can add ground beef to mac-n-cheese, then what’s the difference in the end, really?  I first saw this idea in a German cooking magazine. So I am not the only Mad Hausfrau. I modified the recipe. I seasoned the meat with spices and left out the ham. Although you can easily add bacon pieces to the sliders.

Also, regarding the spätzle. I always make my own because it is so dang easy.  Especially if you have your own spätzle maker. If you don’t, no worries; just squeeze the dough through a colander with large holes. So I have included my recipe. However, you can use a prepackaged store-bought version for these Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders. Also, since the spätzle dough has a 30-minute rest time, using store-bought cuts down the preparation time significantly.

What is spätzle?

Spätzle is a traditional German mini-dumpling. It originates from the Swabian region of Germany and consists of a simple batter of flour, eggs, and milk or water. Press the dough through a special Spätzle press or a colander into boiling water. The result is “sparrow” shaped noodles with a tender bite. The word “spätzle” means “Little Sparrow”. Add cheese and bake it in a casserole dish to make it Käsespätzle or, in this case, make “buns” for these Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders.

Basically, to create the “buns,” mix spatzle with beaten eggs and flour. Add salt and pepper, then spoon into a round cutter placed on an oiled skillet.  Press the späzle down with a spatula to compress it.  Fry for two minutes on each side, and done.  Transfer to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm, and set aside.

The rest of the slider preparation for these Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders is straightforward. Add seasonings to the ground beet, form into patties using the cutter, and fry on both sides. Use the cutter to cut out rounds of the cheddar cheese. Melt them on top of the sliders. Stack your sliders with lettuce, onion, and tomato slices. Then add your favorite burger sauce or sauces.

There are endless substitution options for this recipe, so customize these sliders as you wish. Swap out the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or lamb. Change the spices up to your taste. Add pickles, avocado, or caramelize the onions instead of adding raw slices.  These will definitely be talked about and asked about at your next BBQ or gathering.

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Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Amercian, German

Keyword cheeseburger sliders, german food, homemade Spätzle, sliders, spätzle, spätzle sliders

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Rest Time: 30 minutes

Servings 8

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

For the Spätzle:

• 2+1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons whole milk

For the Spätzle "bubs"

• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
• salt and pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the sliders:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 small pieces of Lettuce
• 3 small tomatoes
• 2 small red onions
• 8 slices Cheddar cheese
• Burger sauce of your choice ketchup, mayo, etc.

Instructions

Make the Spätzle*:

1. Whisk together the flours and salt
2. Beat the eggs.
3. Add the eggs and milk to the dry ingredients.
4. Knead into an elastic dough.
5. Cover the bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes.
6. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
7. Preheat oven to 350F.
8. Place a colander in the sink.
9. Use a spätzle press or colander with large holes to push the dough into the boiling water.*
10. When the spätzle pops up to the surface, they are done.
11. Transfer to a colander with a slotted spoon to drain, then transfer to a large bowl.

Make the spätzle "buns":

1. Beat the eggs and add to the spätzle
2. Add the flour and mix to combine.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet.
5. Place the metal ring in the pan, fill it about 1/2 way with spätzle. Push the spätzle down with a spoon to compress it.
6. Fry for 2 minutes. Remove the ring and carefully flip the Spätzle patty. Repeat,
7. Transfer to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Make the sliders:

1. Mix the ground beef with the spices.
2. Peel the onions and slice into thin rounds
3. Slice the tomatoes into rounds.
4. Use the ring to cut out 8 slices of cheese.
5. Use the ring to form patties out of the seasoned beef.
6. Fry on both sides.
7. Melt the cheese on top.
8. Place the sliders on top of the spätzle rounds. Top with lettuce, then onion and tomato slices.
9. Add burger sauce and cover with spätzle rounds. and serve.

Recipe Notes

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So, do you like these Spätzle Cheeseburger Sliders? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

CHICKEN SPÄTZLE SALAD WITH RADISH VINAIGRETTE

A CHEESEBURGER FOR A CROWD

CHEESEBURGER STRUDEL ROLLUPS