Maultaschen in Broth (Swabian Stuffed Pasta)

In Swabian cooking, maultaschen are generous stuffed pasta parcels, closer to dumplings than delicate ravioli, often served simply in a clear, well-seasoned broth. The filling here combines minced beef, pork sausage meat, spinach, parsley and nutmeg, giving the parcels a savoury, herb-flecked centre wrapped in tender fresh dough. A gentle simmer keeps the stock clear and the pasta intact, while chives add a clean onion note at the end. It is a substantial bowlful: comforting, precise and satisfying without needing much more than hot broth to bring it together.
Cuisine style Swabian German comfort food
Flavor profile Savoury • Herby • Umami-rich
Techniques Kneading and resting pasta dough • Rolling and sealing stuffed pasta • Gentle simmering
Key equipment Rolling pin • Large pot • Sieve or strainer
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Classic broth service: Serving the parcels in hot beef stock keeps the pasta tender and lets the savoury filling remain the focus.
  • Well-seasoned filling: Beef, sausage meat, spinach, parsley and nutmeg create a rich, herb-flecked filling with depth but no heaviness.
  • Practical to prepare ahead: The cooked maultaschen can be chilled or frozen separately from the stock, then reheated gently for serving.

Get the most out of this recipe

Authenticity notes

  • Swabian style: Maultaschen are strongly associated with Swabia, and serving them in broth is one of the most recognisable preparations.
  • Filling variations: Some versions use more pork or different greens, but the familiar profile is savoury meat, spinach, herbs and nutmeg inside pasta.

Ingredient notes

  • Use sausage meat for richness: Pork sausage meat brings seasoning and fat to the filling, helping it stay juicy rather than dense.
  • Drain the spinach well: Press out excess moisture after wilting so the filling binds cleanly and the pasta seals properly.
  • Choose a good stock: The beef stock doubles as the serving broth, so a clear, well-seasoned stock makes a noticeable difference.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the dough rest: Resting the dough makes it easier to roll thinly without springing back.
  • Rolling too thickly: Thick dough or overfilled parcels can make the maultaschen heavy and harder to cook evenly.
  • Boiling too hard: Keep the stock at a bare simmer; vigorous boiling can split the parcels and cloud the broth.

Make-ahead tips

  • Shape ahead: The maultaschen can be filled and shaped earlier the same day, then kept covered and chilled until cooking.
  • Store broth and pasta separately: Cool the cooked parcels and stock separately so the pasta does not absorb too much liquid in the fridge.
  • Freeze without the stock: Freeze cooked maultaschen on their own, then defrost and warm gently in simmering stock until piping hot.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Pasta dough

Filling and broth

Instructions
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  1. Tip the plain flour into a mixing bowl and stir in the fine sea salt. Make a well, crack in the eggs, then mix to a shaggy dough and knead on the worktop for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 30 minutes so it rolls easily.
  2. Finely chop the yellow onion and wilt the spinach in a large pot over medium heat, stirring until collapsed. Tip into a sieve and press firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, then finely chop the spinach. Let it cool for a few minutes so it does not warm the filling.
  3. In a bowl, combine the minced beef, pork sausage meat, chopped spinach and onion. Finely chop the fresh parsley and mix it in with the ground nutmeg, black pepper and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Fry off a small nugget of filling in the pot to check seasoning, then adjust with a pinch more salt if needed.
  4. Divide the rested dough into 2 pieces and roll one piece thinly on a lightly floured surface, aiming for about 1 mm thickness. Spoon the filling in a line down the length, leaving a border, then fold the dough over to enclose and press out any air. Seal firmly, then cut into parcels about 6 to 7 cm long; repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
  5. Bring the beef stock to a gentle simmer in the large pot; it should be steaming with only small bubbles. Slide in the maultaschen in batches and simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes until the pasta is tender and the filling feels firm. Lift out with a slotted spoon and keep warm while you cook the rest, keeping the stock at a bare simmer.
  6. Finely snip the fresh chives. Divide the maultaschen between bowls, ladle over the hot stock, and scatter with chives. Serve straight away while the broth is clear and piping hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the stock at a bare simmer; a rolling boil can split the parcels and cloud the broth.
  • If you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, ensure the maultaschen are cooked until the filling is piping hot all the way through.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh chives for a more oniony herb note in the filling.
  • Replace Minced beef with Pork sausage for a richer, more traditional all-pork filling.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool the maultaschen and stock separately, then refrigerate in sealed containers. Reheat the stock to a gentle simmer and warm the maultaschen in it for 3 to 5 minutes until piping hot; avoid boiling hard. Freeze cooked maultaschen (without stock) in a single layer, then bag; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in simmering stock.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 bowls
  • Total time: 2h 10min (1h 10min active)
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Cuisine: German
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Wheat
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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