Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (2024)

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Noodle Kugel or Noodle Pudding is a dish commonly served at Jewish holidays or events. I love making my sweet noodle kugel recipe each year for Hanukkah because it is so darn delicious. Plus, if I’m being honest, I enjoy the splurge of calories with all the yummy ingredients like noodles, sugar, butter and eggs that go into making it. If you can’t indulge like this over the holidays, when can you?!?!

It’s the second night of Hanukkah and I’m making my sweet noodle kugel recipe along with some delicious potato latkes as my side dishes for dinner. I’m pretty much counting down the minutes until dinnertime, folks!

Unless you’re Jewish, I’m sure there’s a pretty big chance that you have never heard of noodle kugel. Let me give you a quick lesson about this easy and delicious side dish before I share the recipe with you below. It’s a must try for anyone and everyone!

Kugel, pronounced either koo-gull or kuh-gull, is somewhat similar to a noodle casserole. The preparation is basically the same. You cook some noodles in boiling water, stir together your wet ingredients in a bowl, and then combine the noodles with the wet ingredients before placing it all in a casserole dish and putting it in the oven to bake.

You won’t notice the main difference between noodle kugel and a noodle casserole until it cooks. The consistency of the two is completely different. While a noodle casserole will still be a little wet and runny when cutting into it, noodle kugel is made of a custard filling that holds perfectly together.

Most noodle casseroles also tend to be savory. Noodle kugel can be made savory, but in our family, we go for the sweet variety instead. I’m not exactly sure why, but if I had to guess, it’s probably because there are more calories found in the sweet version.

My family is infamous for going towards the “least unhealthy route” when cooking…a blessing and a curse all at one time!

Sweet noodles might sound a little odd at first, but I promise that you’ll be in love with this dish after one single bite. The flavors of sugar and cinnamon will hit your tongue right away and you’ll be a Kugel Fan, forever. Trust me on this! Have I steered you wrong yet?

The preparation of this recipe is SUPER EASY! If you can boil water and stir ingredients together, you can make this side dish. It takes about 10 minutes to whip everything together and an additional 40 to 45 minutes to cook. You can even prep the noodle kugel ahead of time and cook it off later in the day when you’re ready for dinner.

So what do I need to make this Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe?

12 oz. package of Wide Egg Noodles, 6 eggs, 16 oz. sour cream (try to stay away from Fat-Free), 16 oz. cottage cheese, ½ cup of raisins, ½ cup of sugar (additional to sprinkle on for the topping),1 teaspoon of Cinnamon (additional to sprinkle on for the topping), ¼ cup of melted butter

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (2)Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a 9×13 casserole dish and put it aside.

Cook your egg noodles in a pot of boiling water for about 4 minutes. Note:This is less than the recommended cooking time on the package.

After 4 minutes, strain the noodles from the water.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (3)Place all your other ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (4)Give all the wet ingredients a good stir.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (5)Once the wet ingredients are all combined, add your strained noodle to the bowl and mix everything together.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (6)Grab your casserole dish and pour your noodle mixture inside of it.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (7)Sprinkle the top of the noodle kugel with some cinnamon and sugar.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (8)Place the noodle kugel in your preheated 375-degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes. The custard should be set and the top golden brown when done.

Whether you’re Jewish or not, this recipe is a keeper and a must-try! My sweet noodle kugel recipe is so addicting you’ll still find yourself eating it WAY after you’re stomach tells you to stop. It’s just too hard to stop when something tastes this delicious.

I hope I’ve convinced you to try this sweet noodle kugel recipe for yourself. You and your family will love it! And if you want to go all out, may I suggest trying it with these potato latkes and this crockpot brisket from the blog.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (10)

Yield: 9x13 Casserole Dish

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe is the perfect addition to your Hanukkah meal! This easy Chanukah side dish takes only 10 minutes to prepare. Made with egg noodles, sugar, butter, raisins, cinnamon a few more ingredients that will leave you begging for more!

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. package of Wide Egg Noodles, 6 eggs, 16 oz. sour cream (try to stay away from Fat-Free), 16 oz. cottage cheese, ½ cup of raisins, ½ cup of sugar (additional to sprinkle on for the topping),1 teaspoon of Cinnamon (additional to sprinkle on for the topping), ¼ cup of melted butter

Instructions

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish and put it aside.
  3. Cook your egg noodles in a pot of boiling water for about 4 minutes. Note:This is less than the recommended cooking time on the package.
  4. After 4 minutes, strain the noodles from the water.
  5. Place all your other ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Give all the wet ingredients a good stir.
  7. Once the wet ingredients are all combined, add your strained noodle to the bowl and mix everything together.
  8. Grab your casserole dish and pour your noodle mixture inside of it.
  9. Sprinkle the top of the noodle kugel with some cinnamon and sugar.
  10. Place the noodle kugel in your preheated 375-degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes. The custard should be set and the top golden brown when done.

Want to remember this? Post this Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe to your favorite Pinterest board!

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Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe | Lake Life State of Mind (2024)

FAQs

Why do Jews eat noodle Kugel? ›

As Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz once said, “Jews eat lots of lokshen on Shabbat because noodles are symbolic of the unity of the people of Israel: They are so tangled that they can never be separated.” Noodle kugel may not actually be eaten by all Jews, but it has clearly reached far beyond mere Ashkenazi cuisine.

Why does my noodle Kugel fall apart? ›

Make Sure to Cool Your Kugel

Once it's baked, a kugel needs to cool, otherwise it will fall apart when slicing. Give it at least an hour to cool and set up, then slice and serve it warm or at room temperature.

What does kugel symbolize? ›

And then I read in The Jewish Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Around the World of a Hasidic rabbi, Pinchas of Koretz (in Galicia), who claimed that lokshen kugel itself symbolizes Jewish unity, since the noodles are all tangled together and are really inseparable, just like the unified Jewish people.

What is the tradition of kugel? ›

Kugels are a mainstay of festive meals in Ashkenazi Jewish homes, particularly on the Jewish Sabbath and other Jewish holidays or at a tish. Some Hasidic Jews believe that eating kugel on the Jewish Sabbath brings special spiritual blessings, particularly if that kugel was served on the table of a Hasidic Rebbe.

What does "kugel" mean in Yiddish? ›

The name of the dish comes from the Yiddish word kugel meaning 'sphere, globe, ball'; thus the Yiddish name likely originated as a reference to the round balls of dough that were placed in the center of the cholent, a traditional Shabbat stew, to cook alongside it and absorb its flavors for its later use as a side dish ...

What is the history of Sweet Kugel? ›

The kugel was born in Eastern Europe as a leftover bread pastry with fat and eggs and only eight centuries ago evolved into the lokshen (noodle) kugel we know today. Rice kugels were invented in the 16th century thanks to Ottoman influences, and the popular Polish potato kugel showed up in the nineteenth century.

Why is kugel sweet? ›

Kugel is a sweet, egg noodle casserole. The noodles are boiled and then baked with some sugar, eggs, sour cream and cottage cheese. It's our family tradition to also add raisins.

Is noodle Kugel better hot or cold? ›

Kugel is traditionally served as a side dish alongside something meaty like brisket or roast chicken. In this case it would normally be served warm, but it can also be refrigerated and eaten cold the next day. Sweeter versions can also be eaten hot or cold, and taste great with fresh cream or vanilla ice cream.

What is the difference between sweet and savory kugel? ›

Sweet kugel is often made with sugar, raisins, and cinnamon. While it may sound like a dessert, sweet kugel is served as a side dish at meals or for breaking your Yom Kippur fast. Savory kugel may include pepper, a crunchy cornflake or breadcrumb topping, onions, and cheese.

What is the English word for kugel? ›

„Kugel“: Femininum

ball bullet, pellet, shot sphere, globe bulb head thick flank roulette ball sphere shot, bowl, ball ball More translations... ball.

What is a German kugel? ›

The kugel is the earliest form of German glass Christmas decoration, its predecessor being the “witch ball”, an unsilvered glass sphere hung from windows to ward off evil spirits (supposedly repulsed by round shapes).

What nationality is noodle Kugel? ›

Noodle kugel is a popular Jewish dish that's enjoyed year-round, from holiday gatherings to regular family brunches. Pronounced kuh-gull or koo-gull, kugel is a Jewish dish that's been around for hundreds of years. It's a popular option for both special holidays and everyday gatherings alike.

What is a Midwest kugel ornament? ›

Kugels, ranging from one-half inch to eight inches long, hang from lengths of ribbon or trimming or their original chains: an egg, grapes, an egg with a ball attached with what is known as a double-hanger, an "end-of-day" ball made with leftover materials, and an early "piked" sphere designed before the use of brass ...

When should I eat noodle kugel? ›

Thanksgiving and Rosh Hashanah simply are not the holidays without homemade kugel. Ever since I was young, kugel has been one of my all time favorite dishes. Even though it's usually considered a meal for holiday occasions, I love to have it all year round.

Should I refrigerate kugel? ›

Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Serve cold, at room temperature, or and reheat covered with aluminum foil in a 350ºF oven until warmed through. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Why do Jews eat egg noodles? ›

History. "Jews eat lots of lokshen on Shabbat because noodles are symbolic of the unity of the people of Israel: They are so tangled that they can never be separated."

Why is kugel eaten at Hanukkah? ›

It commonly makes an appearance on the dinner table during Shavuot (along with bourekas), when it's traditional to consume dairy foods, and Shabbat because it's said that kugel resembles the manna that fell from heaven. It's the perfect side dish for a Hanukkah latke party, adding some richness to the meal.

Why do Jews eat gefilte? ›

By the Middle Ages, that Catholic dish had migrated into the Jewish kitchen under the moniker gefilte (stuffed) fish. The rabbis considered fish to be the perfect food to kick off a Sabbath or holiday meal, since fish symbolize the coming of the Messiah and fertility.

What do Orthodox Jews eat for dessert? ›

There are plenty of popular desserts in Israel from tahini cookies, malabi to chocolate or cinnamon babka, to hamentaschen and sufganiyot. What do Orthodox Jews eat for dessert? There are plenty of desserts that orthodox Jews eat like babka, Lekach, sufganiyot, rugalach, etc.

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