This delicious, sweet, gluten-free kugel recipe is made with gluten-free rice fettuccine noodles. It is a gluten free version of my Grandma’s classic recipe, which is perfect for Shabbat or any Jewish holiday. Think of this homemade kugel recipe as noodles in a rich, sweet custard.
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
The Quick Bite: This kugel features a delicious, crisp, gluten-free cinnamon Chex topping. It is made with simple ingredients, and nobody will guess it is gluten free.
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.
Back in the day, my grandmother used crushed Corn Flakes. This made the kugel less sweet overall. Corn Flakes are not gluten free, so I tested a few topping options that I list below. One good Corn Flake like swap I tried was a gluten-free honey cornflake topping (by Nature’s Path for your apples and honey.)
If you like to change up recipes to vary the flavor, I highly recommend adding diced or shredded apples to your kugel for Rosh Hashanah. If you love this kugel recipe, you may want to try more of my Grandma’s homemade recipes, like her homemade chicken soup.
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
What is the best gluten-free pasta for kugel?
There is a gluten-free, kosher egg noodle on the market, but I found it literally turned to mush when I tested it. I tried many brands of gluten free penne, rotini, and spaghetti in this recipe to give you options. 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 held up the best in other recipes, as well, such as my gluten-free macaroni salad recipe. You can make sweet or savory kugels, depending on what you enjoy.
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.
- 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.
How to Make Gluten Free Noodle Kugel (Step-By-Step)
Step 1: Cook the gluten-free noodles according to the package directions minus one minute. Every brand varies in cook time, so it is best to use the recommended cook time, minus one minute. Preheat your oven to 350º F.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a bowl and use an electric mixer or whisk 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 in 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. Note it does make this kugel a bit sweeter.
- Gluten Free Honey Cornflakes by Nature’s Path is also gluten-free and delicious! I tested this at a friend’s sedar, and it was a big hit.
- Toasted coconut adds a nice tropical twist, and you can use drained crushed pineapple in the noodle and custard mixture.
Looking for more Jewish holiday recipes? Check out these tasty gluten-free Jewish recipes!
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.
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
Method
- 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.
Nutrition
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.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
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!