Sweet Noodle Kugel Recipe

Noodle kugel is a quintessential Jewish dish that everyone falls in love with. For those unfamiliar with the sweet noodle dish, it may sound a little different, but once you taste the custardy, sweet noodles, you'll fall for it fast.

Sweet noodle kugel is unique and satisfying. It’s a great sweet side dish or a yummy dessert. Of course, there are savory noodle kugel recipes out there too, but we recommend starting with something a little sweet.

Gluten-Free Kugel for Any Special Day

The history of kugel goes back a long way. Sometimes referred to as the Yiddish Lokshen kugel, noodle kugel evolved from a dish made of bread dough. There are also potato kugels, similar to scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin.

Lokshen kugel has been around since at least the 1500s and origin stories vary. Some people think that explorers brought noodles from Italy to the area that is now Germany. Other origins suggest that the food moved through the east to Persia and found its way to Eastern Europe. There are two Yiddish words for noodles; "Frimsel," which is similar to the Italian word for pasta (Vermicelli), and "Lokshen," similar to the Persian word Lakhsha, which means slippery.

Either origin (or both) could be true, but one thing's for sure—this dish is popular now. There tend to be two varieties—the more Eastern European savory type of kugel that uses salt and pepper, onions, and occasionally garlic, and the sweet German and Polish variety of kugel with sugar and spices.

Sometimes kugel is sweetened with fruit like raisins, pineapple, cherries, or dried cranberries. Other times, it’s served as more of a custard. Typically noodle kugel contains a variety of dairy ingredients, including sour cream and cottage cheese in our version.

Because dairy and meat aren't consumed at the same time in kosher households, sweet noodle kugel is typically served at breakfast, alongside dairy-based meals, and on sweet or dairy-based holidays. You might find kugel on the table during a Rosh Hashanah meal and definitely during the holiday of Shavous.

As for sugar, we include a scant amount of sugar in our recipe (a tablespoon). It gives the kugel that yummy sweetness. If you're following keto or another low/no-carb plan, you could sweeten this recipe with a keto-friendly sweetener. Remember that It's Skinny noodles contain ZERO net carbs, and cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, and butter are also low-carb friendly. Cinnamon also adds a sense of sweetness.

If you're ready to enjoy this yummy traditional Jewish dish, or if you're simply looking for a different dessert or sweet side to accompany a meal, give sweet noodle kugel a try!

No Carb Noodles in a Kugel?!

It’s Skinny isn’t your Bubbeh’s egg noodle. But by using It's Skinny Fettuccine, we get a similar texture to the more traditional (carb-heavy) pasta that your grandmother served. So how does It's Skinny get to be so low in carbs? It's thanks to a special ingredient known as konjac.

Konjac root is a vegetable commonly used in Asian cooking—especially in Japanese dishes. It's similar to a turnip, radish, or even a sweet potato. Konjac doesn’t have a strong flavor, but it’s extremely fibrous. It contains a unique fiber known as glucomannan.

Glucomannan works like magic to keep you full for a long time. Even though you feel satisfied, the fiber passes through your system without the carbs that make you gain weight. It's Skinny has ZERO net carbs per pack and only 9 calories, making it a dieter’s dream.

What's more, It's Skinny's unique formula sets it apart from other shirataki noodles. Unlike most miracle noodles on the market, It's Skinny doesn't have a strong odor, it's not slimy, and the texture is extremely close to traditional pasta.

It’s Skinny offers the perfect answer to lightening up all your favorite dishes—from pasta and noodle favorites to rice-based dishes. If you’re watching carbs and cutting calories, It’s Skinny is the answer to stopping those cravings and staying successful on your diet.

It's Skinny is so diet-friendly that it won't even break your intermittent fast! If you follow an IF plan but struggle to avoid snacking and cheating, It's Skinny will help! You can enjoy a bowl of It's Skinny pasta or rice with a little bit of butter, salt, pepper, and other seasonings, and you won't shift your body out of fast mode.

How do you cook with It’s Skinny? It’s easy! In fact, it’s even easier than cooking traditional pasta or rice. There’s no boiling or careful watching required. To cook It’s Skinny Pasta or Rice, all you need to do is open the pack, drain, and add it to the pan at the end of cooking your sauce and other ingredients. It's Skinny heats up in about two minutes and is ready to enjoy.

It's Skinny plays well with other ingredients. It takes on the other flavors of the dish without overpowering them. Like traditional pasta or rice, it pairs with all your go-to sauces: teriyaki, tomato, pesto, alfredo, and more. So, you can enjoy pasta your way, guilt-free!

To try It’s Skinny, order some today. We offer Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Fettuccine, and Rice—perfect for creating all your favorite meals. Can’t decide? Try them all with a convenient variety pack!

Questions About It’s Skinny Sweet Noodle Kugel

At It’s Skinny, we encourage you to make dishes your own—especially something that can be as unique and personal as kugel. If you’re vegan, kosher, gluten-free, paleo, or following another diet, you may want to change or omit certain ingredients. Here are a few common questions about customizing It’s Skinny noodle kugel.

Is It’s Skinny Kosher?

Yes! It’s Skinny is certified Kosher-pareve. It’s Skinny is entirely plant-based and considered pareve (free of animal by-products). We are certified under KOF-K Kosher supervision. KOF-K happens to be one of the premier kosher-certification agencies in the United States.

This noodle kugel is made with dairy products, so it would be suitable for any dairy meal. However, we especially like it as a side dish on the holidays. It's a delicious breakfast and a yummy dessert. Every kugel aficionado knows there's never a wrong time to enjoy sweet noodle kugel!

I’m on keto, can I cut the sugar in this dish?

We reduced the sugar to just a tablespoon in this sweet noodle kugel. However, if you're watching your carbs, you can still enjoy noodle kugel without sweetener. Keto-friendly sweeteners like Stevia, Erythritol, and Monkfruit would also be easy to use in this recipe. Follow the package instructions to swap out the sugar. Cinnamon adds natural sweetness, as well.

Cottage cheese also contains some carbs, and sour cream may also have trace carbohydrates. It's essential to read the labels and be sure you're staying within your keto diet parameters to keep your body in ketosis.

Can I add fruit to sweet noodle kugel?

You can definitely add fruit to this sweet noodle kugel recipe. Again, if you’re following keto, it’s important to stay within the guidelines of your diet, but adding some fresh fruit, dried fruit, or even compote to this dish can add to the festive flavor.

Which fruits go best with sweet noodle kugel? Raisins are a classic, but they can be higher in carbs. You could also consider small chopped apple pieces (perfect for Rosh Hashanah), pear, plum, or pineapple. For a different-but-delicious twist, you could add a few blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries to your noodle kugel. No matter how you serve it, this is one yummy dish.

How to Make Sweet Noodle Kugel

Ready to get cookin'? Here's all you need to know to create this yummy and festive sweet noodle kugel any time—even on a regular weeknight. If you're craving comfort, nothing feels quite as homey and soothing as delicious sweet noodle kugel. Here's how to whip some up today.