This Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni) recipe brings the comfort of the Alps to your table. Layers of tender pasta and cubed potatoes are combined with shredded Gruyère and cream, baked until bubbling, and finished with sweet caramelized onions. Serve it with applesauce on the side or spooned over each portion for a classic sweet-and-savory contrast.
Table of Contents
What is Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni)?
Älplermagronen is a traditional, hearty dish from the Swiss Alps. It combines pasta with cubed potatoes, rich cream and plenty of shredded Gruyère. After baking, it’s topped with caramelized onions and commonly served with applesauce, creating a comforting balance of savory and sweet—perfect after a day outdoors.
Älplermagronen Ingredients
- Butter
- Medium onion (chopped)
- Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- Dried macaroni (Magronen or similar)
- Grated Gruyère cheese
- Heavy cream
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Applesauce (for serving)
- Salt and ground black pepper
Choosing the pasta to use for this recipe
Traditional recipes use Hörnli or Magronen, but any small tube-shaped or short pasta that holds sauce will work well. The shape helps trap the creamy cheese and pieces of potato for a cohesive, satisfying bite.
How to make Älplermagronen
- Step 1 – Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it starts to brown lightly.
- Step 2 – Add the chopped onion and cook about 5 minutes, then add a pinch of salt and continue until the onion is golden and caramelized. Set aside.
- Step 3 – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Step 4 – Add the cubed potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Step 5 – Add the pasta and cook according to the package, reducing the time by one minute so it won’t overcook in the oven.
- Step 6 – Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 7 – Drain the pasta and potatoes and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 8 – Toss the pasta and potatoes with the cream, salt and pepper.
- Step 9 – In a baking dish, layer the potato-pasta mixture and grated cheese in three parts, finishing with cheese on top. Scatter the caramelized onions over the top.
- Step 10 – Bake 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is lightly browned.
- Step 11 – Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with applesauce.
Make It Your Own
- Add bacon – Crisped bacon stirred into the layers gives a smoky, savory boost reminiscent of tartiflette.
- Use firm potatoes – Choose firm waxy potatoes so the cubes hold their shape through cooking.
- Sauté the potatoes – For deeper flavor, sauté the cubed potatoes with garlic and herbs instead of boiling them.
- Optional wine – Stir in about 1/3 cup dry white wine before baking for extra depth.
- Cheese alternatives – If Gruyère isn’t available, use other flavorful hard cheeses such as comté, emmental, manchego or a sharp cheddar, or blend cheeses to taste.
More Pasta Recipes on AHK
- Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
- Chorizo Spaghetti
- Vegan Tomato Sauce
- Spaghetti alle Vongole
- Porcini Mushroom Pasta
- Garlic and Oil Spaghetti (Aglio e Olio)
Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni)
Enjoy this cheesy, comforting Swiss Alpine Macaroni with applesauce on the side. Its mix of cream, melted cheese and caramelized onions makes it a crowd-pleaser and a cozy main for cold evenings.
If you try the recipe and like it, a five-star rating is always appreciated.
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Älplermagronen Swiss Alpine Macaroni
- Author: A Hedgehog in the Kitchen
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: For 4 people
Description
Hearty Älplermagronen is a decadent combination of pasta, cubed potatoes, shredded Gruyère and cream, finished with caramelized onions and applesauce on the side for serving.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1/2 inch)
- 1/2 lb dried macaroni
- 1/3 lb grated Gruyère
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1/3 cup white wine (optional)
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Applesauce, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until lightly browned.
- Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, then season with a pinch of salt and continue until browned.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt.
- Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, subtracting one minute to prevent overcooking in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Drain the pasta and potatoes and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking.
- Mix the pasta and potatoes with the cream, salt and pepper (and wine if using).
- Layer the mixture and grated cheese in three parts in a baking dish, finishing with cheese and topping with the caramelized onions.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parsley and serve with applesauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes