I didn’t grow up eating noodle kugel. In fact, my dad’s distaste for the starchy staple was so severe, it was effectively banished from our household. No amount of gentle cajoling could convince me to try this odd noodle pudding later in life and to be perfectly honest, I’m still not a fan.

Lokshem (“noodle” in Yiddish) kugel existed as early as the 1500s, neatly fitting into orthodox and kosher homes as a dairy dish without meat. It truly rose to fame as a facet of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine in the 1800s with the sudden infusion of cheap sugar flooding in from refineries in Poland and Hungary. Raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg were other popular additions, creating a very sweet, rich noodle casserole that could be served for breakfast and dinner alike.

Still, savory versions did exist, relying on fried onions and black pepper instead, which gave me hope for revitalizing this time-honored tradition in a way better suited to my tastes.

Breaking With Tradition

Apples are the subtle source of natural sweetness here, balanced out by the tangy bite of sauerkraut. The combination hearkens back to German cabbage and apples, simmered together with warm herbs for a heartwarming wintry stew. Meanwhile, tofu, unsweetened yogurt, and shredded vegan cheese create a high-protein base that replaces the dairy in one fell swoop.

Let’s not forget about the noodles themselves, which were typically egg ribbons, wide flat strands undulating in a sea of sweet pudding. You could simply use any ruffled or broad shape, but my favorite is broken lasagna noodles, smashed into large chunks to replicate that texture in a more free form approach. This is especially handy if you have a half-box leftover after your last recipe but can’t stand to fuss with all those layers again. Just grab a rolling pin and let out your frustration!

Now I’d compare this more to a baked ziti without marinara, or any other pasta casserole that can be scooped out hot or sliced when cool. Serve with a side salad, steamed vegetables, or simple soup to complete the meal.

How To Make A Healthier Noodle Kugel

This rendition already beats the competition by a mile when it comes to nutrition. Typically composed of one or two sticks of butter, a half dozen eggs, and up to a cup of white sugar, there’s really no comparison. Still, if you’re following a more restrictive diet, there are plenty of ways to adapt this formula further to suit your needs.

• Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta instead of conventional noodles.
• No Refined Sugar: Use no sugar-added apple butter.
• Oil-Free: Replace the vegan cheese with 1/4 cup nutritional yeast and swap the butter or oil for aquafaba.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Options

Noodle kugel is the best guest you’ve ever invited to dinner. It can wait patiently to be served and is great with crowds.

Leftovers can keep for 5 to 7 days in the fridge, covered tightly with plastic wrap. Individual servings can be microwaved for 2 to 3 minutes if you’re in a rush.

For longer term storage, you can freeze it for 4 to 6 months. Simply let it thaw at room temperature and re-heat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, until hot all the way through.

You can double the recipe and bake it in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan for twice as many servings, which makes it ideal for potlucks and holiday gatherings alike.

There are truly a million ways to make noodle kugel. If you haven’t been fond of the sweet stuff in the past, give it another try through a more savory lens.

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Yield: Makes 6 - 8 Servings

Nontraditional Noodle Kugel

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Leaning more savory than sweet this kugel breaks with tradition in a delicious way, Apples add subtle, natural sweetness, balanced out by the tangy bite of sauerkraut. Tofu, unsweetened yogurt, and shredded vegan cheese create a high-protein base that replaces the dairy in one fell swoop. It's rich, creamy, and just healthy enough to justify as a balanced dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 Ounces Broken Lasagna Noodles*, Mafalde, or Campanelle Pasta
• 1 (14-Ounce) Package Firm Tofu, Drained
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Plain, Unsweetened Vegan Yogurt
• 1/4 Cup Apple Butter or Jam
• 1/4 Cup Melted Vegan Butter or Olive Oil
• 2 Sweet Apples, Peeled, Cored, and Diced
• 1 Cup Sauerkraut, Drained
• 2 Teaspoon Fresh Sage, Minced
• 2 Teaspoon Fresh Rosemary
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan or 2-quart casserole dish; set aside.
   
   
2. Par-cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water for about half the time recommended on the package. For example, if the manufacturer suggests 10 - 11 minutes, go for just 5. They should be pliable but still crunchy in the center. If you cook them all the way to al dente, they'll become overcooked after baking. Drain thoroughly.
   
   
3. Meanwhile, crumble the tofu into a large bowl. Roughly mash with a fork, spatula, or your hands until it looks somewhat like cottage cheese curds. Add in the mozzarella shreds, yogurt, apple butter or jam, and melted butter or olive oil, stirring thoroughly.
   
   
4. Toss together the apples, sauerkraut, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Add them into the bowl of tofu mash and fold gently to incorporate. Add the par-cooked noodles and stir once more.
   
   
5. Transfer to your prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture out to evenly fill the pan. Bake in the center of your oven for 40 - 45 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

*The most effective way to break your lasagna noodles is to put them in a sturdy zip top bag and give them a few solid whacks with a rolling pin. You don't want to completely crush them, just break them into more forkable pieces.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  La Tourangelle, 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 25.4 fl oz (750 ml)
• 
  Chickapea, Organic Lasagne, 8 oz
• 
  Walden Farms, Apple Butter Fruit Spread, 12 oz

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 488mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 7g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.