This delicious, sweet, gluten-free kugel recipe is made with gluten-free rice fettuccine noodles. My Grandma’s classic recipe is perfect for Shabbat or any Jewish holiday. Think of a kugel as noodles in a rich, sweet custard.
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This kugel features a delicious, crisp, gluten-free cinnamon Chex topping. One bite of this homemade noodle kugel and you and your family will be hooked!
If you love this kugel recipe, you may want to try more of my Grandma’s homemade recipes, like her homemade chicken soup. While you are visiting my blog, check out these tasty gluten-free Hanukkah recipes!
Why we love this gluten-free kugel recipe:
- This recipe is a must-try because it is so easy to make and just crazy good. The whole family will love it, even your picky eaters!
- I experimented with a lot of different gluten free noodles to re-create my Grandma’s recipe. The biggest struggle I had in trying to convert my Grandma’s recipe to gluten-free was finding a gluten free noodle that would hold up to a lot of moisture.
- I highly recommend adding diced or shredded apples to your kugel for Rosh Hashana. You can also use a gluten-free honey cornflake topping (by Nature’s Path for your apples and honey.)
This IS like Grandma used to make! It was super creamy and, I did as you suggested, and used full fat ingredients. The citrus juice and cinnamon were a delicious surprise when I took a bite. I would definitely make this again.”
Linda, blog comment
Allergen Information:
This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free. I have not tested a dairy-free version. If you try this, please drop a comment and let us know how it turned out!
What is the best gluten-free pasta for kugel?
There is a gluten-free, kosher egg noodle, but it literally turned to mush! I tried many brands of gluten free penne, rotini, and spaghetti. My best success, the one I used for this recipe, is a gluten-free tagliatelle noodle by Jovial.
The Jovial brand of gluten-free pasta seems to hold up the best in recipes, as shown in my gluten-free macaroni salad recipe. You can make sweet or savory kugels, depending on what you enjoy. Kugel can be made with noodles, potato, rice, or even matzo (for Passover).
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
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- Jovial Gluten-Free Pasta—As I mentioned above, it will hold up the best to a cream sauce. Tinkyada also holds up well, though it doesn’t have the shape of the pasta I used.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Heavy Cream – Don’t use half and half.
- Sour Cream – I use full-fat sour cream. I think it adds to the creaminess. *Note: I have also had great luck with full-fat Greek yogurt if you prefer yogurt.
- Cream Cheese – Again, you want to use full-fat cream cheese. Trust me; it tastes much better in this recipe. See which cream cheese brands are gluten-free.
- Salt – kosher salt is better than Himalayan salt in this recipe.
- Vanilla – you can use pure vanilla extract or fresh vanilla beans.
- Mandarin or Orange – juice + the zest because this adds that special something!
- Cinnamon Chex Cereal – You can also use a less sweet Chex flavor cereal.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Cook the gluten-free noodles according to the package directions. Preheat your oven to 350º F.
Step 2: Add your wet ingredients to a bowl and use an electric mixer to whip them together.
Step 3: Add your cooked noodles to the cream cheese mixture. The noodles do not need to be cooled before being added. Mix to coat all of the noodles. Put the noodle mixture into an 8×8 greased casserole dish.
Step 4: If you use the cereal for a topping, put it into a sealed bag and crush it into crumbs.
Step 5: Sprinkle the crumbs over the noodle mixture.
Step 6: Bake at 325º F for 30 minutes.
Topping Ideas:
You can top a sweet kugel many different ways or leave it without a topping. My favorite topping is using Cinnamon Chex cereal, but here are a few more ideas:
- Make a streusel topping like the one I used in this gluten free coffee cake recipe.
- Gluten Free Honey Cornflakes by Nature’s Path is also gluten-free and delicious!
- You can also have some fun toppings using Enviro Kids gluten free cereals.
- Toasted coconut.
Frequently Asked Questions:
My gluten-free kugel is more of a dessert than a side dish. If you don’t keep kosher, it could be used as a side dish to the main meal.
You can eat it hot or cold. My personal preference is warm so that the creamy sauce is not cold and hard.
Yes, you can add fruit. Apples, crushed pineapple, and raisins are the most commonly added fruits.
This kugel will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Try:
- Even picky kids will love this easy kale and apple salad!
- You can make these gluten free latkes in an air fryer or fried in oil!
- Kids go crazy over these brown sugar cinnamon carrots!
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know it’s delicious. Thank you!
Easy Gluten Free Noodle Kugel
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten free pasta I used Jovial brand
- 4 large eggs
- 8 ounces sour cream full fat
- 8 ounces cream cheese full fat
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup cane sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ cup orange juice I used a large mandarin orange
- 2 cups Cinnamon Chex Cereal
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Instructions
- Cook the 4 cups gluten free pasta according to package directions (see note)
- Preheat the oven to 325º F.
- In a standing mixer or large bowl, add 4 large eggs, 8 ounces sour cream, 8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup cane sugar, and ½ cup heavy cream. Mix until creamy.
- Add the noodles to the cheese mixture and mix to coat all of the noodles.
- Pour the noodles into a greased 8×8 baking dish.
- Put 2 cups Cinnamon Chex Cerealinto a large zipper bag and smash it until it is crumbs.
- Sprinkle the cereal mix over the kugel and put the dish into the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Every gluten free pasta brand has different cooking directions so please use the cook times listed on the box.
- Use full-fat sour cream and cream cheese. It will make the custard creamier.
- If you do not have Cinnamon Chex Cereal, you can use any sweet topping. You can make a streusel topping, use toasted coconut, or use another fun sweet crushed cereal.
- This kugel will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
How do I keep a kosher home and cannot possibly imagine eating diary in the kugel with brisket, what to do. HELP
I am anxious to try the gluten free kugel but don’t know how much pasta to use. It says 4 cups. Is that one pkg of 9 oz Jovial or more? Looking forward to your response.
A 9 ounce package of Jovial gluten free pasta is perfect Bonnie.
This IS like Grandma used to make! It was super creamy and, I did as you suggested, and used full fat ingredients. The citrus juice and cinnamon were a delicious surprise when I took a bite. I would definitely make this again.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Linda, you made my day!