Urner Älpermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni from the Canton of Uri)
Course: Main CourseCuisine: SwissDifficulty: Intermediate4-6
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesOne of my familys favorite and heartier dishes from Switzerland is Älpermagronen, which are kind of the “Swiss Mac and cheese”.
While the “Urner Älpermagronen”, coming from the Canton of Uri are made without potatoes, the LÄndermagronen have additionally potatoes.
Since my Grandma was from the Canton of Uri, nothing could make her more upset if somebody called Älpermagronen with potatoes “Urner Älpermagronen”. Potatoes where be carried to the high Alps by farmers bringing their cows up for the summer.
Älpermagronen comes comes from the times back when Alp farmers who had an unlimited access of butter, cream, milk and cheese.
The Gotthard Pass or St. Gotthard Pass is located in the Canton of Uri. During late 1800s there was a large influx of Italian construction workers hired to build the Gotthard tunnel (a major route from Switzerland to Italy), causing that Pasta was added to this potato cheese dish.
Ingredients
- Magronen
1 lb. / 500 grams Älpermagronen, elbow or rigitoni pasta
2 large onions, peeled, halved and sliced thin lengthwise
2 tablespoon butter
1 1/4 cup / 300ml cream, or half and half whole milk
3/4 pound / 300 grams aged and flavorful cheese (such as Bergkäse, Gruyère, Appenzeller, etc.)
8 oz. / 230 grams small cubes of bacon or 12 slices, cut into small pieces (optional variation)
alt and pepper, to taste
- Applesauce
4 large apples
¼ cup water (or more)
pinch cinnamon
Directions
- If making the variation with bacon, place bacon in a hot skillet. Reduce the heat to medium high. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered out and the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet. Use less if there is residual bacon fat.
- Toss sliced onions in the pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned and crisp.
- Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Stir the bacon into the onion topping or reserve to stir into the main dish.
- While the onions are caramelizing, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add a large teaspoon of salt. Cook until the pasta is al dente and Drain
- Immediately return the pasta to the pot and turn heat to low.
- Add cream or half and half combination to the pot.
- When the cream has heated, add half of the grated cheese.
- Add salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Stir constantly until a thick, cheesy sauce has formed.
- Put the pasta in a heat resistant pot which can be used in the oven – Purr the cheese sauce, bacon on the pasta and mix. – Top the pasta with the other half of the cheeze and with the caramelized onions – Put the pot in the oven and heat in the oven until the cheese is melted
- Serve immediately topped with the caramelized onions (and bacon).
- Take the Älpermagronen out of the oven and accompany with applesauce.
- If making homemade applesauce
- Add water and sugar (if using) and bring to boil.
- Add the Apples
- Cover the pan and simmer on a medium-high heat until the apples are soft.