Lemon Ricotta Noodle Kugel With Dried Cherries Recipe

By
Miri Rotkovitz
Miri Rotkovitz
Miri Rotkovitz
Registered dietician, teacher, and award-winning cookbook author who has been exploring Jewish cuisine for almost 20 years.
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Updated on 05/29/22
Lemon Ricotta Kugel with Dried Cherries

The Spruce / Miri Rotkovitz

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Resting time: 10 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 10 to 12 servings

If you have a noodle kugel in your recipe repertoire, chances are good it was passed down by the Bubbes in the family, and that the basic formula of egg noodles, lots of dairy, eggs, and raisins hasn't changed much over the years. But if you want a fresh take on this much-loved icon of Ashkenazi comfort fare, a few tweaks help transform it into a deliciously modern dish your grandmother will still love. Unlike most dairy noodle kugels, which are made with cottage cheese, this one uses lighter textured ricotta—the same cheese that makes Italian cheesecake so wonderful. If you can find them, Meyer lemons add a lovely, subtle citrus flavor to the custard, but regular lemons work nicely too. And a mix of tart dried cherries and sweet golden raisins not only add delicious hits of flavor, but they also look pretty too. 

This kugel makes a wonderful addition to a brunch buffet and is a nice light lunch option alongside a salad. It's also wonderful with coffee or tea, so leftovers (if there are any!) make an ideal breakfast or afternoon treat. 

On the Holiday Menu: With its refreshing lemony notes, this kugel would make a great addition to a Yom Kippur break fast menu featuring bagels and lox. It's also a natural fit for Shavuot menus when dairy dishes take center stage. As for the secular calendar, it's ideal for a New Year's Day brunch.

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) egg noodles

  • 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 (16-ounce) container full-fat sour cream

  • 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk or part-skim ricotta cheese

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 2 Meyer lemons, zested and juiced, or regular lemons (about 1/4 cup juice)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup dried tart cherries

  • 1/2 cup golden raisins

  • Ground cinnamon, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Butter a 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish and set aside.

  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

  4. Add the egg noodles and boil for 5 to 6 minutes.

  5. Drain the noodles, return them to the pot or a large bowl, and toss with the melted butter.

  6. In another large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, ricotta, sugar, eggs, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, and salt.

  7. Stir in the noodles, then fold in the dried cherries and raisins.

  8. Pour the noodle mixture into the prepared pan, and smooth the top with a spatula.

  9. Sprinkle the top of the kugel with cinnamon.

  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is lightly browned.

  11. Remove the kugel from the oven and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting.

  12. Enjoy!

Tips

  • Leftover kugel may be stored, well covered, in the refrigerator for two to three days. Bring the kugel to room temperature, or, better yet, warm in the oven before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
339 Calories
16g Fat
43g Carbs
9g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories 339
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 114mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 43g 16%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 44mg 218%
Calcium 173mg 13%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 334mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)