The original macaroni and cheese arguably came from the Swiss Alps in the 1800s. It makes sense that the country that has a cheese named after it might have thought to combine butter, melted cheese, and macaroni. It also makes sense the European “owners” of pasta, Italy, lay claim to the dish with recipes for a similar dish of macaroni in butter and cheese dating back to the 15th century. Until researching alplermagronen for this recipe, I was pretty sure that Kraft invented it when I was 8 years old. Anyway you look at, though, macaroni with melted cheese is the perfect comfort food.

Swiss Alplermagronen apline swiss mac and cheese

Alplermagronen – Swiss Macaroni and Cheese

Better than Kraft's fluorescent orange mac & cheese? That doesn't seem possible, but it very well might be. Baked with a good melting cheese and crusty top covered in crunchy fried onions and a dollop of warmed applesauce on the side, This dish is truly wonderful. If you want to slip some greens into it, you can always add some frozen baby peas.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Brunch, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: North Western European, Switzerland

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 40

Servings:

Author: My Hungry Traveler

Equipment

Large pot
Large bowl
Colander
Oven-proof casserole dish

Ingredients

1½ cups Grated Alpenzer cheese (or shredded Emmenthaler or Gruyere)
1 lb Macaroni (Penne, ziti, large elbow, or another thin tubed pasta)
2 large Potatoes, peeled and diced similar to macaroni size
⅓ cup Heavy cream
⅓ cup Whole milk
2 large White onions, peeled and sliced
1 clove Garlic, minced
3 tbsp Butter
Salt, nutmeg, and ground black pepper to taste
1 jar Apple sauce warmed for serving

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Prepare Macaroni

Bring pot of water to a boil. Place a colander in the sink. Add potato cubes to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add the macaroni to the boiling water. Following package instructions, cook until pasta is just done but not soft and mushy. Immediately pour into the colander and rinse with cold water to stop it from cooking further.
While macaroni is cooking, heat the butter in a wide skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and slowly cook until the onions become golden brown and caramelized. Stir from time to time. Once they look done, stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cream, milk, and cheese. Mix in the macaroni-potatoes and mix well. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Cook and Serve

Pour bowl of macaroni and cheese into the lightly greased ovenproof casserole dish. Scatter remaining cheese over the top and put in oven until top becomes a deep golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and spread onions over the top.
Warm a bowl of applesauce in the microwave and serve together with the casserole.

Notes

If you want to add peas, add 1 cup of frozen baby peas to the bowl with noodle mixture before it’s poured into the casserole.
Noodle mixture may be done in advance, right before adding cheese and onions stage and refrigerated until ready to cook.