Tired of the same old macaroni and cheese? You will love this hearty Swiss Alpine Skillet Mac and Cheese!
Pasta and potatoes are cooked in a pan with the cream, then mixed with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese for a meal the whole family loves!
The Swiss traditionally serve it with apple sauce. If you think apple sauce with cheesy pasta is weird, think again! It's the perfect sweet balance to the salty bacon.
📃 Why it Works
Of course, everything is better with bacon, but I know for a fact that this macaroni and cheese is just as yummy without it.
Its taste is very similar to Grenadir, a side dish from Central Europe.
So, if you are not Team Bacon, you can leave it out, but I will seriously have to reconsider our friendship. 😉
This Swiss noodle recipe is at the top of my simple but flavorful Noodles Without Borders recipe list.
Noodles Without Borders: noodle dishes from around the world that my friend Bobbi from Healthy World Cuisine and I started last August.
We both agree that noodles are versatile and the ultimate comfort food, no matter the season.
So, every first Tuesday of the month, we each share a recipe from somewhere in the world.
I haven't met a pasta dish I didn't like, but this hearty mac and cheese from Switzerland's Alpine region takes the cake. You must try this seriously tasty Älplermagronen, also called herdsman's macaroni.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
You don't need any crazy ingredients. These are all pantry staples. If Gruyere cheese is not available at your location, see below for substitutions.
Cheese: You want Swiss cheese (obviously) that will give you the ooey, gooey glory. Gruyere is the perfect melting cheese. Other options are Emmental and Raclette.
Tip: For the ultimate cheese pull (stretchy cheese), never use already shredded cheese. Freshly grate a block of cheese, using the grater side with large holes!
Pasta: Any short pasta you have on hand will work, such as Penne, Rotini, or Macaroni.
🔪 Instructions
NOTE: Detailed description below in the recipe box.
You will need a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven with lid. I use my cast ironware all the time - as if you haven't noticed. 😄
- First, dice the bacon, slice the onions, and mince the garlic.
- Then add it all in a skillet and cook to caramelize the onions and crispy the bacon. Transfer the mixture, including the bacon fat, to a plate and set aside.
- Next, add the vegetable stock, heavy cream, diced potatoes, and pasta. Cover and cook until pasta is al dente.
- Finally, stir in the grated cheese and the bacon-onion mixture. Serve with apple sauce.
Gotta love one-pan dinners. They make it easy to cook and clean up! What's not to love?
- You want Swiss cheese (obviously) that will give you the ooey, gooey glory. Gruyere is the perfect melting cheese. Other options are Emmental and Raclette.
- For the ultimate cheese pull (stretchy cheese), never use already shredded cheese. Freshly grate a block of cheese, using the side with large holes!
- Any short pasta you have on hand will work, such as Penne, Rotini, or Macaroni.
- For another skillet pasta meal, try this Polish Haluski. It's a simple, comforting dinner that everyone loves, made with egg noodles, bacon, and cabbage.
- You'll also love this Greek-style tortellini and beef skillet bake. It's a real crowd-pleaser!
- Serve these hearty pasta dishes with a side of a light and healthy salad like this fresh Cucumber Salad.
Also, you must try these mac and cheese recipes:
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Swiss Skillet Mac and Cheese
EQUIPMENT
- Cast iron skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven
- Grater
Ingredients
- 4 oz. (6 strips) bacon, diced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 small red potatoes
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup heavy cream, or half and half
- 8 oz. Penne pasta
- 6 oz. grated Gruyere cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Applesauce for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add six strips of diced bacon, sliced onion, and minced garlic and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes or until the onions caramelize and the bacon is crispy. Transfer the mixture, including the bacon fat, to a plate and set aside.
- To the skillet, add two cups of vegetable stock, a cup of heavy cream, and three diced red potatoes. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring to a gentle boil, and add 8 oz. penne pasta. Cover the pan with a lid and cook until pasta is al dente (about 12 minutes).
- When all the liquid soaks into the pasta, remove from the heat and stir in the 6 oz. grated Gruyere cheese and the bacon and onion mixture.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve with applesauce.
Notes
- You want Swiss cheese (obviously) that will give you the ooey, gooey glory. Gruyere is the perfect melting cheese. Other options are Emmental and Raclette.
- For the ultimate cheese pull (stretchy cheese), never use already shredded cheese. Freshly grate a block of cheese, using the side with large holes!
- Any short pasta you have on hand will work, such as Penne, Rotini, or Macaroni.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.
acraftymix says
Whhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy do I do this to myself? I should know already that I can only come visit you when my tummy is full Jas. We love our Mac & Cheese but you take it to a whole new level, Please stop already 😉
Jas says
Thanks, Michelle! You always make me feel special.
cheesecurdinparadise says
So much cheesy goodness! I love the combination of the cheese with the bacon for this dish. It looks so rich, but also weeknight friendly!
Jas says
Everything is better with bacon! 😀
Danielle says
Cooking pasta and potatoes is a fabulous way to make a delicious dinner. But add some bacon and cheese, and you will level it up in no time!
Jas says
Thanks, Danielle! I totally agree. 😀
jyothicurrytrail says
Honestly I've never heard of Swiss alpine mac n cheese. But who can say no to mac n cheese, the ultimate comfort food. It sure looks delicious, very interesting twist on regular mac n cheese
Jas says
If it has bacon in it, I for sure can't say no, lol. Thanks for stopping in! xx
Tammy says
I love your take on mac n cheese here...you've definitely upped the ante with this variation! I'm craving a bowl now!
Jas says
I'm always happy to make people hungry, ha! Thank you so much, Tammy!
Mahy says
I have to admit, I’m probably the only person who doesn’t crave me n cheese ever—but this version of Mac n cheese I can see myself making every week!! That’s what Mac n cheese should be!!
Jas says
My sentiments exactly, Mahy! 😀 Thanks for stopping in! xx
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Jas, this looks so delicious! The melty cheese is making me drool!
Jas says
Thank you, Kelly! So happy you like it 😀
Chelsey says
This skillet Mac and cheese looks amazing! Love all of the unique flavors, especially the Gruyere cheese!
Jas says
Thank you, Chelsey! They all blend together well and make such a flavorful dish. 🙂
Ron says
You're talking major carb delight here. Pasta, potatoes, cheese and cream, I'm in....and then served with apple sauce. Brilliant! As a carboholic and mac cheese lover, you got me with this one. I can't wait to give this a try.
Jas says
We are all loving this mac and cheese, even the kids! The best part, it's made in one skillet, so only one dirty dish, ha! Thank you for visiting, Ron! Wishing you a wonderful day!
Healthy World Cuisine says
That Cheese Pull! That sold us hook, line and sinker. A good mac and cheese with a raclette cheese, bacon and potatoes? This is a recipe that the boys are going to request over and over again. Thanks for making #noodleswithoutborders fun and delicious. Take Care
Jas says
But bacon, am I right? I know your boys would love it as much as we do. Can't go wrong with a bowl of comforting carbs. Have a super day, Bobbi!
Kim | Give it Some Thyme says
I totally agree that pasta is definitely a year round favorite. There's no denying that gooey cheese and the addition of bacon puts it over the top! So delicious! Love the idea of applesauce along side too. A little sweet with savory is always a good thing!
Jas says
Glad we feel the same way, Kim! I wasn't disappointed with apple sauce although I had my doubts, ha! Thanks for stopping in. xx
Aleka says
I have never heard of Swiss Mac and cheese (with apple sauce on the side) but this sounds amazing and so unique! Adding potatoes is also something I never heard of but I love the idea since bacon and potatoes are a match made in heaven! Thanks for the cheesy inspiration!
Jas says
I'm glad I could introduce you to a new mac and cheese recipe, Aleka! Warning: this dish is highly addictive. 😉 Thanks for visiting! xx