Älplermagronen

Invented in the 1930s, Älplermagronen is a rustic Swiss dish that can be translated as Alpine macaroni, but it is more commonly known as herdsman’s macaroni. The key ingredients include macaroni pasta (usually hörnli, a small, curved, tubular pasta variety), cheese, onions, and potatoes, although there are numerous variations on this Swiss classic.

The ingredients used in the dish were all available to herdsmen who were keeping an eye on their cows grazing on the Alpine pastures. The basic version is prepared by layering cooked pasta and potatoes with cheese and cream, and the combination is then baked in the oven and served topped with onion rings, applesauce, and bacon.