pasta + potatoes

German Pasta & Potato Products — Spätzle, Noodles, Dumplings & More

Pasta and potatoes are the two pillars of German side dishes. At GermanFoods.shop, you'll find the brands every German household reaches for: Birkel, 3 Glocken, Pfanni, Zabler and Settele. Our range includes German egg noodles, spaghetti, Swabian Spätzle, Maultaschen, potato dumplings (Kartoffelknödel), mashed potato mixes and Reibekuchen (potato pancake) preparations. These are the authentic products shipped directly from Erfurt — the same brands and flavours you know from German supermarkets, now delivered to the USA, UK and Canada.

Germany's relationship with pasta and potatoes is unique. The potato arrived in Germany roughly 200 years ago and quickly became the nation's most important vegetable — fried, boiled, baked, in salads, dumplings and casseroles. Over the past three decades, pasta has risen to second place, with German-made noodles holding a distinctly different character from their Italian counterparts: German pasta is often egg-based, with a richer texture and golden colour.

Birkel is Germany's best-known pasta brand. Founded in 1874, it is now part of the Newlat Group (which acquired Birkel and 3 Glocken in 2013 from Ebro Foods). Around nine million German households regularly buy Birkel products. The brand is particularly known for its broad egg noodle range — Gabelspaghetti, Spiralen, Bandnudeln — all made with German eggs and high-quality durum wheat.

3 Glocken (Three Bells) has deep roots in Baden, where it began in 1884 with the foundation of the first steam-powered noodle factory in the region, in Weinheim. As one of Germany's oldest pasta brands, 3 Glocken stands for careful production with selected ingredients. Its "Genuss Pur" range uses pure durum wheat and spring water from the Odenwald — nothing else. Their fine egg pasta comes in numerous traditional shapes.

Pfanni is synonymous with potato products in Germany. The brand was born in 1949 in Munich, launching with Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes). In 1950, the legendary Pfanni Knödel (potato dumpling) followed, and mashed potatoes were added in 1959. Founded by Werner Eckart, whose family name is still connected to Munich's Werksviertel district (the former Pfanni factory grounds), the brand became part of Unilever in 1993. Pfanni Kartoffelpüree (mashed potatoes), Knödel halb und halb (half-and-half dumplings) and Reibekuchen are pantry staples that bring authentic German potato dishes to your table in minutes.

Zabler is a family company from Baden-Württemberg known for unique products like „Hochzeitsnudeln" (wedding noodles) and organic pasta under the Paradiso Bio brand. Settele is a Swabian specialist from the Augsburg region, producing authentic handmade-style Spätzle and Maultaschen (Swabian filled pasta, often called "Swabian ravioli"). Swabian Spätzle have been a regional staple since medieval times — the soft egg-dough noodles are traditionally scraped or pressed directly into boiling water and pair perfectly with Linsen (lentils), Zwiebelrostbraten (roast beef with onions) or simply with butter and cheese (Käsespätzle).

FAQ

What is the difference between German and Italian pasta?

German pasta, especially brands like Birkel and 3 Glocken, is typically egg-based — made with whole eggs that give the noodles a richer flavour, golden colour and slightly firmer bite. Italian dried pasta (from the south) is traditionally made from durum wheat semolina and water only. German Eiernudeln (egg noodles) are a distinct category prized for their heartiness.

What are Spätzle?

Spätzle are soft, irregularly shaped egg noodles from Swabia (southwestern Germany). The dough — flour, eggs, salt and a little water — is traditionally scraped from a board or pressed through a Spätzle-maker directly into boiling water. They are the quintessential side dish for roasts, goulash and lentil stews, and the base for Käsespätzle (a German take on mac and cheese with Emmentaler and fried onions).

What are Pfanni Knödel?

Pfanni Knödel are ready-to-prepare potato dumplings — a product Pfanni introduced in 1950 in Munich. You add water, shape the dumplings and cook them in simmering water. The „halb und halb" (half-and-half) variety mixes raw and cooked potato mass for the authentic Bavarian texture. They are the traditional side dish for Schweinebraten and Sauerbraten.

How long do dried German pasta products keep?

Dried pasta from Birkel, 3 Glocken and Zabler typically keeps for 24 months or longer when stored in a cool, dry place. Pfanni dried potato products (Knödel mix, mashed potato flakes) have a similar shelf life. Check the best-before date printed on each package.