• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Appetizers
  • Desserts
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Contact Us

The Lazy Slow Cooker

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Appetizers
  • Desserts
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
    • Entrees
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home

    Published: Oct 16, 2020 · Modified: Apr 23, 2021 · By Susan

    Lazy Slow Cooker Noodle Kugel (Casserole) Recipe

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    Jump to Recipe

    Delicious, sweet and creamy crockpot noodle kugel (casserole) is a real treat! Soft, fluffy noodles combined with sweet cream cheese, eggs and dried cranberries make for an unforgettable dish everyone will love.

    side view of piece of kugel cut from the whole on a turquoise plate with a fork in the background

    What Is Kugel?

    Kugel is the Yiddish name for a traditionally Jewish dish that is part noodle pudding and part casserole. The name is actually the German word for ball, globe or sphere and it relates back to the origins of the dish itself. Today, kugel is made either sweet or savory, usually with noodles or potato. It is a staple on most Jewish holiday tables - although it made and served all year long. This recipe is for a sweet noodle version. It is easy, delicious and a wonderful addition to any meal.

    top view of a piece of noodle kugel with craisins on top

    Why Use A Crockpot For This Dish

    Of course you can make kugel in the oven. But there are a bunch of great reasons to use your slow cooker. Including:

    1. Using your crockpot to make noodle kugel is great when you don’t have the time to babysit a dish in the oven. Oven baked goods can go from done to overdone in the blink of an eye. Since crockpots are slow and steady, they are a little more forgiving of people who (like me) sometimes run late or lose track of time. If crockpot cooking time says 2 hours but you have an errand, call or meeting that runs 15 minutes over, chances are your dish will be just fine! Additionally, many slow cookers are programmable and can be set to turn off or down to warm at a predetermined time.
    2. Using your crockpot to make a side dish like this leaves more space in the oven for other things. If you already have an entree, appetizer and dessert going in the oven, using your slow cooker to make this dish can be lifesaving!
    3. When using in your crockpot, you can use either parchment paper or a slow cooker liner leaving you with virtually zero clean up!
    4. Crockpots are a great way to cook with children! Since they don’t get super hot the way ovens do AND since you generally don’t turn them on until all ingredients are in, they are very family friendly. (Please note that you CAN still burn yourself with a slow cooker so always supervise children carefully anytime you are in the kitchen!).
    finished dish still whole in casserole crockpot

    How To Make Slow Cooker Kugel

    To make this easy sweet kugel, you will need:

    • fine egg noodles, cooked
    • butter
    • cream cheese
    • sugar
    • vanilla
    • eggs
    • milk
    • dried cranberries or raisins
    • cinnamon

    The Noodles

    This noodle kugel recipe calls for fine egg noodles however, it also works really well with wide egg noodles. When cooking the noodles, follow the instructions on the package, but be sure to stop cooking at the minimum suggested cooking time to keep them slightly al dente.

    looking down on two bowl, one with all ingredients other than eggs, the other with beaten eggs

    The Kugel

    Place butter and cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Add hot, cooked and thoroughly drained noodles to the bowl. Allow these ingredients to sit together for a few minutes to help the butter and cream cheese soften/melt a bit. When soft, stir the butter, noodles and cream cheese to fully combine. Next, stir in sugar and vanilla and allow to cool slightly. In a separate bowl, beat 6 eggs. Add these to the mixture and stir. Finally, add the milk and dried cranberries (or raisins, if your prefer) and stir all ingredients together. The mixture will be very liquidy at this point. Carefully pour into your lined slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3.5 - 4 hours until fully set. Before serving, you can sprinkle the top with cinnamon and additional dried cranberries, if you would like.

    all ingredients in casserole crockpot before cooking

    Kugel Hints & Hacks

    1. If your slow cooker cooks unevenly (as some of mine do) lifting your slow cooker pot out of the heating element and rotating it 180 degrees and then replacing it will help to even things out. I try to do this about half way through the cooking time. Just beware that the pot will be HOT! Pot holders are a must!
    2. Since each slower cooker is different, I suggest using a good meat thermometer to help you confirm that your kugel is cooked through. According to the American Egg Board, any dish containing eggs like this one should reach an internal temperature of 165 F to be considered ready to eat.
    3. Whether you choose to line your slow cooker or not, non-stick spray is a helpful step.
    4. Although any vanilla extract will work, there is just something about pure vanilla extract and the amazing flavor it adds. Here is a great one.
    5. Storing leftovers in the refrigerator will help to extend the shelf life of this dish up to about a week. Leftovers reheat really well in the oven or microwave (but are also delicious cold!!).
    6. I am a huge fan of slow cooker liners and usually recommend them for everything. However, for this type of dish, parchment paper is even better. Here is the kind I use.
    7. In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is the one I am currently lusting after.
    looking at the corner of a cut piece of the finished dish from the side

    Lazy Slow Cooker Kugel (Noodle Pudding)

    Delicious, sweet and creamy crockpot kugel (noodle pudding) is a real treat! Soft, fluffy noodles combined with sweet cream cheese, eggs and dried cranberries make for an unforgettable dish everyone will love.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 601kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 4 quart or larger slow cooker
    • slow cooker liner or parchment paper
    • measuring spoons and cups
    • 2 mixing bowls
    • Stove top pot to cook noodles
    • strainer for noodles
    • non-stick spray

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz egg noodles I like fine noodles, but wide will work just as well
    • 4 cups milk I use fat free, for a creamier finished product, use whole milk.
    • 6 eggs, beaten
    • 12 oz cream cheese 1.5 bricks
    • 6 oz butter 1.5 sticks
    • 1 scant cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups dried cranberries can be substituted with raisins, if you prefer
    • cinnamon (optional)

    Instructions

    • Line slow cooker with liner or parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray, set aside
    • Cook noodles according to instructions on package
    • Add butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl
    • drain noodles after cooking and place the hot noodles in the bowl with cream cheese and butter
      allow the hot noodles to melt/soften the butter and cream cheese a bit.
    • stir noodles together with cream cheese and butter until thoroughly mixed
    • add sugar, vanilla and dried cranberries to noodle mixture and allow to cool slightly
    • In a separate bowl, whisk eggs together
    • add eggs and milk to noodles and stir to combine
    • Pour mixture into lined slow cooker
    • cover and cook on high 3½-4 hours until fully set. If you want to confirm that your dish is cooked through, the middle should reach 165°F - the temperature at which is considered safe to eat cooked eggs.
    • Allow to cool, slice and serve
    • Enjoy!!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 601kcal

    Great Crockpot Side Dishes

    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Squash and Zucchini Parmesan
    • Mashed Cauliflower
    • Mashed Potato
    • Candied Sweet Potato

    Check out my latest on Instagram

    Close up of beef stroganoff with mushrooms and pasta

    Subscribe To Our Newsletter

    I'M IN!! SIGN ME UP FOR OCCASIONAL EMAILS FROM THE LAZY SLOW COOKER!

    You have Successfully Subscribed!

    More Side Dishes

    • Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup (Dairy Free)
    • Slow Cooker Mushroom And Wild Rice Soup
    • Slow Cooker Carrot Ginger Soup
    • Slow Cooker Quinoa Stuffing (Dressing)
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Ellen says

      October 16, 2020 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      Must try this one.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Susan, the lazy slow cooker holding a large margarita

    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

    Popular Posts

    • Slow Cooker Yankee Pot Roast
    • Slow Cooker Kielbasa & Potato Casserole
    • Slow Cooker Mandarin Orange Chicken
    • Lazy Slow Cooker Baba Ghanoush

    Subscribe To Our Newsletter

    You have Successfully Subscribed!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Lazy Slow Cooker, LLC