Introducing the Oktoberfest bake, a hearty and delicious dish that perfectly captures the spirit of the traditional German celebration. Packed with rich flavors and comforting ingredients, this recipe will transport you to the lively atmosphere of Oktoberfest. Get ready to indulge in a delightful combination of egg spaetzle, bacon, bratwurst, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, all baked to perfection.

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the Deutsche Küche Egg Spaetzle and lightly boil it for 10-12 minutes until tender. Once cooked, drain the spaetzle and set it aside for later use.

In a medium frying pan, sauté the bacon until it becomes crispy and golden. Remove the bacon from the pan using a slotted spoon and allow it to drain on paper towels, reserving it for later. In the same pan drippings, add the diced onion, peeled and diced apple, salt and ground black pepper. Sauté the mixture for 4-5 minutes until the onions and apples become tender and fragrant. Now, it's time to add the star of the dish, the Deutsche Küche Smoked Bratwurst. Cook it with the onion and apple mixture for an additional 5-8 minutes or until it's heated through.

Lower the heat and add the cream cheese and the reserved bacon to the pan. Stir everything together until the cream cheese is fully blended, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce. Remove the pan from heat and gently fold in the Deutsche Küche German Style Sauerkraut and the chopped Swiss cheese. The tangy sauerkraut and the melty Swiss cheese will add a unique depth of taste to the dish. Finally, incorporate the cooked spaetzle, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly combined.

Prepare a 9 x 12-inch baking pan by coating it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. For an extra touch of indulgence, top the Oktoberfest bake with pats of unsalted butter, which will melt and add a rich, buttery flavor.

Cover the pan and place it in the preheated oven. Allow it to bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese becomes bubbly and irresistibly golden. The aroma wafting from the oven will have your taste buds tingling with anticipation.

Once ready, remove the pan from the oven and uncover it to reveal the bubbling deliciousness within. The Oktoberfest bake is now ready to be enjoyed by friends and family. Serve it as a main course, accompanied by a fresh green salad or some crusty bread. This comforting dish embodies the essence of Oktoberfest, bringing together the warmth of German cuisine and the joy of shared meals.

Prep Time:  20 minutes   |    Cook Time:  20  minutes   |    Total Time:  40 minutes   |    Servings:  6-8

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces  Deutsche Küche  Egg Spaetzle
• 6 slices Appleton Farms  Center Cut Bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 apple, cored, peeled and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon  Stonemill  Iodized Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon  Stonemill  Ground Black Pepper
• 16 ounces  Deutsche Küche  Smoked Bratwurst, sliced*
• 8 ounces  Happy Farms  Cream Cheese
• 2 cups  Deutsche Küche  German Style Sauerkraut*
• 6 slices  Happy Farms  Swiss Cheese, chopped
• Carlini  Cooking Spray
• 4 tablespoons  Countryside Creamery  Unsalted Butter

*These are ALDI Find items that are only in stores for a limited time and may no longer be available.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot.  Lightly boil the spaetzle for 10-12 minutes, drain and reserve.
3. In a medium frying pan, sauté bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve. Add onion, apple, salt and pepper to pan drippings. Sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add bratwurst and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes or until heated through.
4. Lower heat, add cream cheese and reserved bacon to the pan. Continue stirring until cream cheese is blended. Remove from heat and stir in sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and spaetzle.
5. Coat a 9 x 12-inch pan with cooking spray. Add mixture to pan, top with pats of butter.
6. Bake covered for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Jared, ALDI Test Kitchen