Aelplermagronen or Swiss Mac and Cheese recipe is a heartwarming comfort food, popular high in the Swiss Alps. Also called Alpine Macaroni, enjoyed for hundreds of years, loved both by parents and children! An easy recipe to make, perfect for lunch or dinner!
Aelplermagronen vs Mac n Cheese
There are are a few differences from American style Mac and cheese and Aelplermagronen. This Swiss dinner recipe uses grated Swiss Cheese as it's cheese sauce, super easy. It's not made with a roux as a cheese base, like my Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe. The other difference (other than Swiss Cheese) is the addition of sliced potatoes, bacon, and it's served with apple sauce. A really an easy recipe to make, an awesome carb overload.
What's in Swiss Mac and Cheese?
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Onions
- Garlic
- Milk
- Bacon
What type of Pasta for Aelplermagronen
There is a specific pasta that's used when you make Aelplermagronen. It's a straight, tube egg pasta called Älplermagronen specifically sold for this recipe. However, it can be hard to find, so you can substitute with any tubular pasta shape available. I used Penne pasta or Pennette which is a thinner tubed pasta.
Swiss Mac and Cheese with Applesauce
Aelplermagronen is usually served with apple sauce, but sometimes people serve with dried apple pieces instead. My kids love the addition of apple sauce to this recipe, it adds a sweetness that you can either enjoy with your Swiss Mac and Cheese, or eat after as a dessert. I can't seem to decide which way I like to eat it better. You'll need to decide for yourself!
Aelplermagronen One Pot Meal
Some people layer the cooked potato and and pasta in a casserole dish that's cooked in the oven, like a Swiss pasta bake. However, that wasn't the intended original way of enjoying this rustic recipe. Like any recipe, there are many variations of how you can make it.
You can use only one pot when cooking this recipe, but it will add extra time, as you need to cook the potatoes and pasta separately. For a quicker cook time, cook the potatoes and pasta in separate pots, and mix together in one large pot when ready to mix together. I love lots of bacon and onion, and sometimes just mix it all through in the pot, instead of garnishing it on top.
Dinner Recipes You'll Love
My aunt who's from Switzerland introduced me to many different Swiss recipes that I haven't tried before. My favorite recipe from Switzerland is her Swiss Cheese Fondue. It seems that the Swiss don't get many things wrong, I'm sure you're gonna love this recipe! Check out these other easy dinner recipes.
- One Pan Cheeseburger Gnocchi
- Veal Orloff - Meat and Potato Casserole
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Easy Chicken Fettuccine
The ultimate comfort food, a classic from the Switzerland. Macaroni, potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon with Swiss cheese, served with apple sauce. Your family will love this recipe! Alplermagronen Swiss Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb /500g potatoes sliced
- 16 oz /500g pasta penne
- 2 onions thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1½ cups milk or ½ and ½ with cream/milk
- 1 lb /500g bacon sliced
- 1 lb /500g sharp cheese Gruyere and Emmenthal
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Slice the potatoes into ½" slices or small chunky pieces. Place in a saucepan, bring to a boil until cooked. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the tubed pasta (penne) according to al dente instructions, drain and set aside. (Do NOT overcook the pasta)
- Fry the sliced bacon in a frying pan, set aside, saving the bacon fat for the onions.
- In the same frying pan with the extra bacon fat, fry the onions until they are golden and really caramelized. Add the minced garlic just when the onions start to turn translucent for maximum flavor. Set aside.
- Mix together the cooked pasta and potatoes, and add milk over medium heat, stirring constantly. As the milk heats through, slowly add the grated cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Keep stirring until it turns into a cheesy sauce.
- Serve immediately, topped with the caramelized onions, bacon and apple sauce on the side.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com
