German Apple and Pasta Casserole Apfel-Nudel-Auflauf Recipe
A sweet casserole made with pasta, apples, and quark, often served in Germany as a warm dessert or a sweet main dish for children. It’s something between noodle kugel and apple pie, baked together in one dish. It smells of cinnamon and vanilla and is a great way to use up leftover cooked pasta.
This German-style casserole combines familiar flavors—pasta with cheese and apple pie—into one comforting, aromatic dish. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and perfect for using up leftover pasta in a creative way.
Chef's tips
Use firm, slightly tart apples so they keep their shape and balance the sweetness. If your quark is very wet, drain off excess liquid or the casserole may turn out too loose. Taste the quark mixture before adding the pasta and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
How to serve
Serve in generous squares, still warm, with vanilla sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style version. For a lighter option, pair it with natural yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Ingredients
- pasta - 250 g
- apples - 3 pieces
- quark - 250 g
- eggs - 2 pieces
- milk - 150 ml
- sugar - 3 tablespoons
- vanillin sugar - 1 teaspoon
- cinnamon - 0.5 teaspoons
- raisins - 40 g
- butter - 20 g
- breadcrumbs - 2 tablespoons
Preparation
- Cook the pasta in plenty of lightly salted water according to the package instructions, but shorten the cooking time by 1–2 minutes so it stays slightly al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Pour hot water over the raisins and set aside for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Peel the apples, remove the cores, and slice them thinly or cut into small cubes.
- Transfer the quark to a bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. Add the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanillin sugar and mix thoroughly until the mixture is uniform.
- Add the cooked pasta, raisins, and half of the cinnamon to the quark mixture. Gently mix so the pasta is evenly coated.
- Grease a baking dish with butter and dust it with breadcrumbs so they stick to the bottom and sides.
- Arrange half of the apple slices on the bottom of the dish, spread the pasta–quark mixture on top and smooth it out. Arrange the remaining apples on top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat). Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the mixture in the center is set.
- After removing from the oven, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes so it cools slightly and is easier to slice. Serve warm, optionally dusted with a little icing sugar on top.
Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 2–3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, covered, so the casserole doesn’t dry out.
