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Vegetarian, European

Älplermagronen with apple sauce

Älplermagronen is a Swiss gratin of macaroni, potatoes, cream and Gruyère, topped with golden fried onions and served with apple sauce. It takes 50 minutes for 4 people, counts as an easy recipe, and costs about €2.20 per serving. The trick is cooking the potatoes and macaroni in the same pot, then slowly browning the onions without burning them.

Tonight, I'm taking you to the Swiss alps with Älplermagronen, macaroni, potatoes and cheese, topped with golden onions and served with apple sauce.

Älplermagronen with apple sauce
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Älplermagronen started as food for Swiss alpine herders and works just as well on a weeknight table today. Macaroni and potatoes melt together under cream and Gruyère, baked until the top turns golden and slightly crisp. The soft caramelized onions on top add a sweetness that changes the whole dish, and the cold apple sauce alongside is a surprise every time.

This is a solid cold weather dinner, built from pantry staples and quick enough for a Tuesday night. Kids tend to love it because of the melted cheese and mild flavors, and it works just as well for a relaxed Sunday if you double the batch for leftovers. Mon Chou suggests it for the nights you want something warming without spending hours in the kitchen.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Macaronioften in the pantry 300 g
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Apple sauce 400 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 500 g
  • Onions 3

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 25 cl
  • Shredded Gruyère 200 g
  • Butter 40 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the potatoes into small cubes and cook them with the macaroni in salted water. 15 min

    Start the potatoes five minutes before the macaroni.

  2. Drain and mix with the warm cream, half the Gruyère, nutmeg, salt and pepper. 5 min

    Keep a glass of the cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed.

  3. Pour into a baking dish, cover with the rest of the cheese and bake at 200°C. 15 min

    The cheese should be golden and fully melted on top.

  4. Meanwhile, slice the onions and cook them slowly in the butter until golden. 15 min

    They should turn golden and caramelized, not black.

  5. Scatter the fried onions over the gratin and serve with the apple sauce on the side.

    Cold apple sauce against hot gratin, that's the whole Swiss spirit.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the potatoes into even cubes, about a centimeter, so they cook at the same pace as the macaroni.
  • Use a well aged Gruyère, its stronger flavor comes through better once baked than a younger cheese would.
  • If your baking dish is too deep, split the mixture between two shallower ones so the cheese browns evenly on top.

The variations

  • Swap the Gruyère for Emmental or a mix of both for a milder flavor.
  • Add smoked bacon bits cooked with the onions if you want a heartier, non vegetarian version.
  • For a quicker kid friendly version, skip the fried onions and serve the gratin straight with the apple sauce.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with vinaigrette
  • Homemade apple sauce
  • Hot tea in winter

Storage

The gratin keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can freeze it without the fried onions, which lose their crispness. Reheat in the oven or a pan rather than the microwave to bring back the gratin texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you make Älplermagronen ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pasta and potato mixture ahead and keep it in the fridge. Bake it just before serving so the cheese stays properly melted.

Can you substitute the heavy cream?

You can use thick sour cream thinned with a little milk, or whole milk on its own for a lighter version. The result will be slightly less creamy but still tasty.

Why serve apple sauce with this savory dish?

It's the traditional Swiss pairing, the sweetness of the apple sauce balances the richness of the cheese and cream. Most families find the contrast essential once they've tried it.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, it's generally a hit with kids thanks to the pasta and melted cheese. You can cut back on the fried onions if your kids aren't fans of their texture.

How long does it take to make an Älplermagronen, a Swiss alpine gratin of macaroni, potatoes, cheese and fried onions, served with apple sauce?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in an Älplermagronen, a Swiss alpine gratin of macaroni, potatoes, cheese and fried onions, served with apple sauce?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an Älplermagronen, a Swiss alpine gratin of macaroni, potatoes, cheese and fried onions, served with apple sauce cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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