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Schinkennudeln is a simple German pasta dish featuring pan-fried noodles with ham and scrambled eggs. A quick and easy dinner idea that the whole family will love – ready in under 30 minutes!
What Are Schinkennudeln?
Schinkennudeln is a simple, classic German dish loved by both kids and adults. The name translates to “ham noodles” and is an easy skillet meal featuring pan-fried pasta with ham and eggs.
As with any classic dish, there are many slight variations depending on region and personal preferences. The main components of this dish are pasta, ham and eggs but it may also contain onion or garlic, grated cheese, cream, added veggies, fresh herbs, additional spices, etc. So many delicious ways to play with it!
Here’s Why You’ll Love It
- Quick & easy: This easy pasta dish can be on your dinner table in under 30 minutes!
- Family friendly: One of my childhood favorites that my whole family now enjoys! Makes a great family meal!
- Simple ingredients: This is a simple and delicious dish with easy to find ingredients.
- Perfect way to use leftovers: Have leftover pasta or cooked ham? This dish is a great way to use up those leftovers! My Mom always made this whenever she had leftover noodles. I think she may have cooked a ton of extra pasta on purpose…smart lady!
- Affordable dish: An inexpensive dinner option – I think we all love having some of those in our back pocket!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need to make this German pasta dish:
- Pasta: Use any shape you like! I usually choose a short cut pasta but spaghetti is also fantastic. Leftover cooked pasta can also be used!
- Ham: I like to use black forest ham but any type of ham can be used. Buy it at the deli counter or use up leftover cooked ham. Cut it up into bite-sized pieces any way you like – thick, thin, strips, cubes…it’s up to you!
- Eggs: Feel free to adjust the quantity.
- Onion: Adds a nice flavor but is optional.
- Butter: For pan frying but also adds flavor and color to the pasta.
- Cream or milk: Gets whisked together with the eggs for a creamy scramble.
- Cheese (optional): A handful of grated cheese is always a delicious addition. Gouda, gruyere, emmental, white cheddar or parmesan are all great options!
- Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground pepper is all you need. However, I also love to add some of this homemade bouillon powder. I’m obsessed with the delicious flavor this seasoning adds.
- Parsley or chives: Chopped fresh parsley or chives is the perfect finishing touch. Adds some color and a fresh pop of flavor.
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
How To Make Schinkennudeln
Schinkennudeln is an incredibly easy pasta dish to make. Let me walk you through it…
STEP 1: Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside. Skip to the next step if you are using leftover cooked pasta.
STEP 2: Pan fry. Melt half the butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and ham and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the other half of the butter and the drained pasta. Pan fry, stirring occasionally until the pasta turns golden and slightly crispy in spots.
STEP 3: Add egg mixture. Whisk together the eggs and cream (or milk) in a mixing bowl. Lower the heat to medium-low and pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Stir gently until the eggs are cooked and look like little pieces of scrambled eggs mixed through the pasta.
STEP 4: Season. Add the grated cheese (if using) and stir through briefly to melt. Season to taste with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings. I love to add a touch of this homemade bouillon powder!
STEP 5: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle over the chopped parsley or chives and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Possible Variations
Pasta is easy to customize and this one is no exception. Here are a few ideas:
- Add in veggies: I usually serve this dish with a salad on the side but you could also add some veggies directly into the pasta. Some ideas include: peas, diced peppers, corn, mushrooms, grated carrot, asparagus, zucchini or spinach.
- Use bacon: Substitute the ham for bacon.
- Add or remove aromatics: The onion in the recipe adds a nice flavor but is not necessary. Garlic or a pinch of nutmeg are also delicious additions.
- Top with breadcrumbs: Sprinkle over some breadcrumbs that have been toasted in butter.
- Turn it into a casserole: You can also turn this dish into a casserole (nudelauflauf) by placing the cooked pasta, onion and ham in a buttered casserole dish. Pour over the egg mixture, top with grated cheese and bake in the oven.
What To Serve With It
Serve with a simple green salad, German cucumber salad, a chopped veggie salad or just some roasted or steamed vegetables. A simple veggie dish on the side is really all you need!
A Few Questions Answered
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Any type you like! This is a super flexible recipe that is equally as delicious with a short cut pasta like fusilli as it is with a long cut pasta like spaghetti.
Either way is fine! Thin slices tend to get a little crispy (which I love) whereas thicker slices that are diced or cut into strips have a softer texture to bite into. It’s personal preference!
More Easy German Recipes
- Frikadellen (German Pan Fried Meat Patties)
- Milchreis (German Milk Rice Pudding)
- Gurkensalat (Creamy German Cucumber Salad)
- Grilled Bratwurst (How to grill brats 2 ways)
- Kokosmakronen (German Coconut Macaroons)
- Spaghetti-Eis (German Spaghetti Ice Cream)
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram.
Schinkennudeln (German Ham and Egg Pasta)
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
Description
Schinkennudeln is a simple German pasta dish featuring pan-fried noodles with ham and scrambled eggs. A quick and easy dinner idea that the whole family will love – ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 grams) uncooked pasta, any shape
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 pound (225 grams) cooked ham, chopped into bite-sized pieces (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- 4–5 eggs
- 1/2 cup cream (or milk)
- Optional: 1/2 cup grated cheese (see notes for options)
- salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
- Pan fry: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and ham and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Add in the remaining butter and the drained pasta. Pan fry the pasta mixture, stirring occasionally until the noodles turn golden brown and crispy in spots.
- Add egg mixture: Whisk together the eggs and cream (or milk) in a mixing bowl. Lower the heat to medium-low and pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Stir gently until the eggs are cooked and look like little pieces of scrambled eggs mixed through the pasta.
- Season: Add the grated cheese (if using) and stir through briefly to melt. Season to taste with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings. I love to add a touch of this homemade bouillon powder seasoning!
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle over the chopped parsley or chives and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cheese: Gouda, emmental, gruyere, white cheddar or parmesan are all great options if you are adding in grated cheese.
- Use leftover pasta or ham: This is the perfect dish to make when you have leftover cooked pasta or ham to use up.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
⬇ PIN it for later! ⬇
Is it wrong that I want to make this for dinner just so I can say “schinkennudeln” over and over again? I need more simple, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food like this in my life right now. I’ve been in a bit of a pasta rut, so this is a welcome change. Thanks for sharing!
Nothing wrong with that at all lol! With the weather getting cooler and busy schedules, easy comfort is where it’s at for most of us I think!
I have to admit I was a little skeptical of this dish, but wow, it was delicious. It was hearty, flavourful and the whole family enjoyed it! We threw in some peas for the kids, and they devoured it. We have pasta at least once a week here, and this is definitely going to be added into the rotation.
I’m so glad it was a hit! I can imagine that it sounds a little strange if you haven’t grown up with it.
Who would have known that the Germans also have a carbonara-style pasta dish?
I sure wish my family had. I didn’t grow up with many German dishes, but I’m sure glad I grew up with sauerkraut and goulash. I was excited to find your recipe because I made a ham instead of turkey for Thanksgiving and I have so much leftover ham in the fridge! Making it for lunch this weekend.
This is perfect for leftover ham! Unlike Carbonara which has a delicate egg sauce, this dish is far more rustic. The egg is mixed through until it resembles bits of scrambled egg throughout. It’s very easy to make!
This is a must try for any family! An easy, fast to make, kid friendly pasta. Love the easy instructions and pictures👌🏻
Thank you! I’m so happy that your family loved it!
yummy!! this makes the perfect easy lunch! I packed this noodles with ham and scrambled eggs for my daughter and she loves it!
I’m so glad that she enjoyed them!
I made this last night and my family loved it! It was a really good protein packed dish. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m so happy that your family enjoyed it!
This pasta is SO GOOD! You can’t go wrong with these savory flavors. The ham, cheese, chives – yum! Will definitely make this over and over again!
I’m happy that you love it as much as I do!
Hearty, comforting and easy to make. A perfect meal for my family.
I’m happy to hear that your family enjoyed it!
Oh yum! You had me at ready in less than 30 minutes. Such an easy and delicious meal perfect for the whole family.
I love a good quick family friendly meal (especially at this time of year!). Glad you enjoyed it!