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Spaetzle Salad

This German Spaetzle Salad is a fresh summer pasta salad made with tender spätzle, zucchini, red bell pepper, eggplant, basil, olive oil, and white vinegar. Served chilled or at room temperature, it is an easy make-ahead side dish for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and German-inspired summer meals.
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 9 oz German spätzle
  • 2 small zucchini
  • 1 medium red bell pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups diced eggplant
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons German white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil plus more to garnish if desired
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook spätzle in salted, boiling water according to package directions. Drain and let cool.
  • Meanwhile, trim and dice zucchini; seed and dice red bell pepper.
  • Combine pasta and diced vegetables in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, basil, and salt and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve salad at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

What to Serve with Spaetzle Salad

Spaetzle Salad is a natural side dish for summer grilling and casual German-inspired meals. It pairs especially well with bratwurst, grilled sausages, chicken, pork chops, schnitzel, burgers, fish, and vegetable skewers.
It also works beautifully as part of a larger picnic or potluck spread. Serve it alongside cucumber salad, German potato salad, pickles, rolls, mustard, and fresh fruit for an easy summer table.
For a lighter meal, enjoy Spaetzle Salad with grilled vegetables or a green salad. For a heartier German-style plate, serve it with sausages, schnitzel, or roasted pork.

Make-Ahead Tips

Spaetzle Salad can be made several hours ahead, which makes it especially useful for barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. Prepare the salad, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
After chilling, the spätzle may absorb some of the vinaigrette. Before serving, refresh the salad with a small splash of olive oil, vinegar, or lemon juice. Taste again and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
For the freshest flavor, add a little extra chopped basil just before serving. This keeps the herbs bright and makes the salad taste freshly made.

Serving Chilled or Room Temperature

This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, which makes it very flexible for summer meals. Chilled Spaetzle Salad is refreshing and easy to transport, while room-temperature salad has a softer texture and more pronounced flavor.
For the best taste, avoid serving it ice-cold straight from the refrigerator. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so the vinaigrette, vegetables, and spätzle taste balanced.
If the salad will be sitting out at a picnic or barbecue, keep it shaded and serve it within a safe amount of time. Since this version uses a vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise, it is lighter and easier for warm-weather serving, but it should still be handled with care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spaetzle Salad?

Spaetzle Salad is a German-style pasta salad made with cooked spätzle, vegetables, herbs, and dressing. This version uses zucchini, red bell pepper, eggplant, basil, olive oil, and German white vinegar.

Can Spaetzle Salad be served cold?

Yes. Spaetzle Salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it a good side dish for barbecues, picnics, and potlucks.

What is spätzle?

Spätzle is a small German egg noodle or dumpling-like pasta. It is often served warm in German cooking, but it also works well as the base for a cold pasta salad.

Can I make Spaetzle Salad ahead of time?

Yes. Make it a few hours ahead and refrigerate it. Before serving, refresh it with a little extra olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, or fresh basil if needed.

What vegetables can I add to Spaetzle Salad?

Zucchini, red bell pepper, eggplant, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, scallions, peas, asparagus, or roasted vegetables can all work well.

What goes with German Spaetzle Salad?

Serve it with bratwurst, grilled sausages, chicken, pork, fish, schnitzel, burgers, cucumber salad, potato salad, pickles, rolls, or mustard.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: German