Älplermagronen

Name: Älplermagronen
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Switzerland
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 2 potatoes, diced; 2 cups heavy cream; 2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated; 2 onions, sliced; 4 tbsp butter; Applesauce, for serving

4 servings15 min prep25 min cookEasy Switzerland

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Älplermagronen

Story updated September 17, 2026

Älplermagronen, a baked mix of macaroni, potato, cream, and cheese usually served with apple sauce on the side, comes from Switzerland's Alpine herders, whose name gives the dish its title ('Älpler' meaning someone working the high mountain pastures). It was designed around ingredients that were easy to carry up to remote summer grazing huts.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 potatoes, diced
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
2 onions, sliced
4 tbsp butter
Applesauce, for serving

Instructions

1Boil macaroni and diced potatoes together in salted water until both are tender.
2Drain, reserving a little cooking water, and return to the pot.
3Stir in cream and grated cheese over low heat until melted and creamy, loosening with reserved water if needed.
4Meanwhile, sauté onions in butter until deeply caramelized.
5Spoon the macaroni and potatoes into bowls and top generously with caramelized onions.
6Serve with a side of applesauce, as is traditional.

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