This recipe for Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni) will transport you to the Swiss alps! This hearty dish is made with layers of pasta, potatoes, shredded Gruyère cheese and cream. It’s baked in the oven, then topped with tasty caramelized onions and served with applesauce on the side or poured over the top. It’s a delightful mixture of sweet and savory and we can’t get enough!

Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni) in a baking dish with applesauce on the side

Table of Contents

What is Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni)?

Älplermagronen is a creamy pasta dish from the Swiss Alps made by layering pasta, cubed potatoes, shredded Gruyère cheese and cream. The dish is topped with caramelized onions for added flavor and served with applesauce on the side. You can imagine eating this satisfying dish after a day of skiing or hiking in the Swiss Alps.

Älplermagronen Ingredients

Butter
Medium onion
Potatoes
Dried macaroni (Magronen)
Grated Gruyère cheese
Heavy cream
Fresh Parsley
Applesauce

close up of cheesy Swiss alpine macaroni topped with onions and parsley

Choosing the pasta to use for this recipe

We used dried Magronen pasta for this recipe, but you could also use the traditional Hörnli, maccheroni, macaroni or your favorite pasta. A smaller tube-like pasta works best to soak up all that delicious, creamy cheesiness.

How to make Älplermagronen

Step 1 – Heat the butter in a medium saucepan, on medium heat, until lightly browned.
Step 2 – Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 3 – Add a pinch of salt and continue to cook until browned.
Step 4 – Heat a large pot of water on high heat until it boils.
Step 5 – Add a large pinch of salt, the potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
Step 6 – Add the pasta and cook according to to the instruction on the package, subtracting one minute to avoid overcooking in the oven.
Step 7 – Preheat the oven to 375F.
Step 8 – Drain and cool the potatoes and macaroni under cold water.
Step 9 – Mix the potatoes and macaroni with the cream, salt and pepper.
Step 10 – Divide the potato mixture and cheese into three parts and layer, starting with the potatoes, then adding the cheese, adding more potatoes, adding more cheese, adding the rest of the potatoes and the rest of the cheese. Top with the onions.
Step 11 – Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 12 – Remove from oven.
Step 13 – Top with parsley.
Step 14 – Serve with applesauce.

Make It Your Own

Add bacon – this recipe would be delicious with a little bit of bacon added to the mixture to make it a bit like a tartiflette.
Use firm potatoes – firmer potatoes are best for this recipe.
Sautée the potatoes instead of boiling them – skip cooking the potatoes in water and sautée them with garlic and herbs instead, for even more flavor.
Add dry white wine – just before putting the dish in the oven to bake, add 1/3 cup of dry white wine. (Apremont from Haute Savoie or a Chardonnay would work nicely.) This will add an even richer flavor to the dish.
Gruyère substitutions – if you can’t find Gruyère, you can use another shredded cheese. A full flavored hard cheese will work best. Cheddar, comté, manchego, emmental or similar cheeses would be delicious in this recipe. You could even mix cheeses.

layers of macaroni, cheese, potatoes, onions and parsley in a red baking dish with applesauce on the side

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