sweet noodle kugel

Sweet Noodle Kugel

Fall is in the air. For some parts of the country, winter will be here before we’re ready.

Time to think about comfort foods and holiday menus. One of my favorite recipes is my Mother’s Sweet Noodle Kugel.

Some of you may not have experienced the deliciousness and versatility of this dish.

Kugel is a baked pudding or casserole most commonly made from egg noodles or potato. It is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish, often served on Shabbat and special holidays.

I make it all year round as many of my girlfriends do!

History of Kugel

Kugel goes back more than 800 years. The first kugels were made from bread and were savory rather than sweet. Then cooks in Germany replaced bread mixtures with noodles. Eventually eggs were incorporated. The addition of cottage cheese and milk created a custard-like consistency common in today’s dessert dishes. Savory kugel may be based on potatoes, matzah, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, spinach, or cheese. 

Each country has a variety of Kugel

  • In Poland, Jewish homemakers added raisins, cinnamon and sweet curd cheese to noodle kugel recipes.
  • In Romania, this dish is called Budinca de macaroane (“macaroni pudding”) or Baba acolo. It is made with or without cheese, but almost always includes raisins.
  • In Transylvania, especially in the Hungarian-speaking regions, a very similar dish is called Vargabéles.
  • A similar traditional Belarusian dish is potato babka.
  • In Lithuania, this dish is called Kugelis. It is a baked potato pudding and it is a traditional Lithuanian dish. The main ingredients are potatoes, onions and eggs. It may be spiced with salt, black pepper, bay leaves, and/or marjoram.

Whatever type of kugel you might add to your table, this recipe will give you a great start!

To Healthy Eating!

Melissa

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I am very proud of my Newly Published Power of 5 Test Kitchen Cookbook ~ Caregiver Edition! 

” Full of recipes, helpful hints, and the tools you need to promote safe and meaningful engagement for those with those challenged with an illness.Your kitchen can be a place where fun and health flourish, no matter the challenges you face.”

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Sweet Noodle Kugel

As you can see there are many options to make this savory dish. This recipe is made without eggs and can be made completely dairy and gluten free.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Brunch, Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine Eastern European
Servings 6 People
Calories 448 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 13 oz Package Wide ribbon pasta Use egg-free pasta if you do not eat eggs; or gluten free noodles if you have a gluten intolerance.
  • 8 oz Sour cream May use non-dairy or light sour cream
  • 8 oz Cream cheese May use non-dairy or light cream cheese
  • 3/4 Block (12 oz) Silken Tofu May replace with cottage cheese instead
  • 1/2 cup Raisins May add 1/2 c of chopped nuts of choice
  • 2 tsp cinnamon To taste
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 cup white sugar Alternative is 3oz of Maple Syrup
  • Pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease an 8" x 12" casserole with olive oil or vegan butter.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook noodles until al dente.
  • In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.
  • Once the noodles are done, drain them.
  • Add the noodles in the bowl with all the other ingredients, mixing well.
  • Pour the ingredients into the greased pan.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and cool overnight to ensure the kugel holds together.

Notes

This recipe can be easily made for a main dish, side dish at any time, or add fruit and it could be a sweet dessert!
Melissa's Modifications:
I've provided some modifications on ingredients to reduce/eliminate dairy and eggs. Eliminate gluten if intolerant by using gluten free noodles. Add ingredients as mentioned ablove to enhance the recipe.
Nutritional Value: 1 serving -  448 Calories, Carbs 51g; Fiber 2g; Protein 12g; Fat 13.5g; Sodium 253mg.

Nutrition

Calories: 448kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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