About this recipe

A beloved Jewish comfort food, this classic noodle kugel is rich, custardy, and golden on top with a tender, creamy interior. Made with egg noodles, cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese, it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory — ideal as a side dish for Shabbat, holidays, or any family gathering. This well-tested recipe is straightforward, forgiving, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to ![350°F]. Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until just al dente — do not overcook, as they will continue to soften in the oven. Drain well in a colander and set aside.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer on ^[medium speed] until completely smooth and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes. This step is key — no lumps!

4. 4

   Add the sour cream, cottage cheese, milk, melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the cream cheese. Beat on ^[low speed] until everything is well combined and smooth.

5. 5

   Add the lightly beaten eggs and mix on ^[low] just until incorporated. Do not overmix once the eggs are added.

6. 6

   Fold the drained egg noodles into the custard mixture using a spatula, making sure every noodle is well coated. If using raisins, fold them in now. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

7. 7

   In a small mixing bowl, mix together the topping sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar evenly over the top of the kugel, then scatter the small pieces of butter over the surface.

8. 8

   Bake uncovered for 55–60 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and the center is just set (it should have only a very slight jiggle). If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil after 40 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove from the oven and let the kugel rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. It can be served warm or at room temperature — both are delicious. Cut into squares and serve.