🥨 German · Main · Hard difficulty · Vegetarian
Spinach Maultaschen
A silky German main built around spinach, seasoned with flour and eggs.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 45 min
- Total time
- 1h 5m
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 201 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Course
- Main
About this German steamed dish
Spinach Maultaschen is a German main built around fresh spinach. It takes about 1h 5m from start to finish, 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
Cooking method: steamed dish. Difficulty is rated hard. Vegetarian.
Good for: budget friendly, light & low calorie, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 400 g fresh spinach
- 2 cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 200 g spinach
- 1 onion
- 1 cup stock
- Fresh chives
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Arrange the spinach on a heatproof plate and scatter over the flour.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Steam over boiling water for 18 minutes until just cooked through.
- Heat
- Medium, with a steady flow of steam
- Look for
- Food is just cooked through, tender but not collapsing.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Over-steaming. Check a minute early and keep the water from boiling dry.
Step 3. Heat a little oil until shimmering.
- Heat
- Medium to high
- Look for
- The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
- Why it matters
- Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
- Avoid
- Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.
Step 4. Pour the hot oil over the top with the eggs and spinach for an instant sizzle.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 5. Garnish with fresh chives and serve with steamed rice.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Pat the ingredients dry for a cleaner flavour.
Equipment you will need
- Steamer or lidded pot
- Heatproof plate
- Small pan for oil
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 201 kcal, 9 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 13 g fat. Roughly 18% of the energy comes from protein, 24% from carbohydrate and 58% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Spinach Maultaschen
Substitutions and variations
- Set food above the water line in a steamer or colander so it cooks by steam, not boiling.
- Add a few slices of ginger or lemon to the water for subtle flavour.
- Season lightly before steaming and serve sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions about Spinach Maultaschen
How long does Spinach Maultaschen take to make?
It takes about 1h 5m in total: 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 201 kcal, with 9 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 13 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.
Is Spinach Maultaschen gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a challenging recipe that involves several techniques and careful timing. Prepare everything first.
Can I make Spinach Maultaschen ahead or freeze it?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.