6 German-Inspired Dinners on a Budget | Easy Meals Under $12

 

1. Käsespätzle (Cheesy Spaetzle)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup shredded Swiss or Emmental cheese

• 1 onion (caramelized)

• Butter for frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix flour, eggs, milk, and salt into a sticky dough.

2. Push the dough through a colander or spaetzle maker into boiling salted water.

3. Cook until the spaetzle float to the top; drain.

4. In a baking dish, layer spaetzle with shredded cheese and top with caramelized onions.

5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until melted and bubbly.

Gourmet Tip: Add a splash of cream to the cheese for extra richness and top with crispy fried shallots or parsley.

---

2. Bratwurst with Sauerkraut

Ingredients:

• 4 bratwurst sausages

• 1 tbsp oil

• 1 cup sauerkraut

• 1/2 cup beer or broth

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet and brown the bratwursts on all sides.

2. Add sliced onion and cook until softened.

3. Stir in sauerkraut, beer or broth, and caraway seeds.

4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.

Gourmet Tip: Serve with stone-ground mustard and toast your buns in garlic butter for a delicious upgrade.

---

3. Currywurst with Fries or Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 bratwurst or knockwurst sausages

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 1 tbsp curry powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tbsp vinegar

• 1 tsp sugar

• Fries or bread rolls (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Grill or pan-fry sausages until golden.

2. In a saucepan, combine ketchup, curry powder, paprika, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Slice sausages and top with the warm curry sauce.

4. Serve with fries or crusty bread.

Gourmet Tip: Use smoked paprika and finish the sauce with a splash of apple juice or beer for depth.

---

4. Kartoffelklöße (Potato Dumplings)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs potatoes (peeled)

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 cup potato starch

• 1 egg

• Salt to taste

• Nutmeg (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, then mash or rice them once cooled.

2. Add flour, potato starch, egg, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix into a soft dough.

3. Form into dumplings.

4. Boil in salted water for 10–15 minutes, until they float.

Gourmet Tip: Sauté finished dumplings in brown butter and sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs or herbs.

---

5. Frikadellen (German Meat Patties)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or pork

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 egg

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tsp mustard

• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Soak breadcrumbs in milk.

2. Combine meat, onion, egg, soaked breadcrumbs, mustard, salt, and pepper.

3. Form into patties.

4. Fry in oil over medium heat, about 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Gourmet Tip: Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and chopped parsley for bold flavor.

---

6. Pickert (Potato Pancakes)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated raw potatoes

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/4 cup milk

• Salt to taste

• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Combine grated potatoes, egg, flour, milk, and salt.

2. Heat oil in a skillet.

3. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the pan and flatten slightly.

4. Fry on both sides until golden and crispy.

Gourmet Tip: Serve with sour cream, applesauce, or smoked salmon for contrast.

---