Freezing Noodle Kugel (Baked & UnBaked)
Noodle kugel is a delicious meal many people enjoy making whenever they want something hearty and comforting. But since it’s not always convenient to make just enough for one serving, it’s common to have leftovers. Maybe you, too, have noodle kugel leftovers, and you wonder if you can store them for longer, like keeping them in the freezer?
You can freeze noodle kugel before and after baking it. Freezing noodle kugel allows you to keep it for longer, allowing you to eat it later. However, you can also store kugel in the fridge, so freezing it might not be necessary.
In this article, I’ll discuss how to store noodle kugel, which includes exploring what noodle kugel is and what you must do to freeze and store it properly. Keep reading.
Why Should I Freeze My Noodle Kugel?
You should freeze your noodle kugel to keep it for longer. Although you can keep noodle kugel in the fridge for a few days, the dish may start to spoil soon after that. The ingredients in noodle kugel tend to go bad quickly, but freezing slows this process. Frozen Kugel can last for 2 or 3 months.
There have been cases when people have died after eating pasta dishes that haven’t been properly stored.
That’s because cooked food has been broken down so your body can digest it. That means if you don’t eat it within a few days, this process can move too far along and cause your food to go bad.
This process is further sped up in pasta or noodle dishes when other ingredients are involved in cooking it.
Kugel is baked, and it uses multiple other ingredients besides noodles, like raisins or eggs making it similar to a casserole. That means kugel, if not eaten quickly, will start to break down sooner than other pasta dishes and go bad faster if you don’t freeze it to slow this process.
How To Properly Freeze Leftover Noodle Kugel
To make sure you freeze your noodle kugel properly so you can enjoy it as if it were fresh at a later date, you just have to keep a few things in mind.
Cut Your Noodle Kugel Into Individual Portions
If you don’t think you’ll want to eat all of your leftovers at one time, cut your kugel into individually wrapped portions and freeze them all separately.
Like most frozen things, it’s not good for noodle kugel to be frozen, thawed out, and then frozen or refrigerated again.
For the best possible taste and texture of your leftovers, only thaw out what you want to eat at a time.
Put Noodle Kugel in The Right Storage Container
It’s best to seal your noodle kugel before freezing it to help reduce the risk of ice forming on the kugel.
That doesn’t mean that you’re only option is to put it in a hard-sided container.
You can wrap your kugel in aluminum foil or freezer-safe plastic wrap instead if you prefer. All you have to do is make sure there are no gaps in the wrap that leave your kugel uncovered.
While still an option, plastic wrap isn’t recommended because it can be difficult to work with.
You Can Freeze UnBaked Noodle Kugel
While noodle kugel isn’t challenging to make, it can be time-consuming to prepare and cook all at the same time.
You may want to prepare your noodle kugel ahead of time.
Also, you might want to give your ingredients a little extra time for their flavors to settle and blend before they’re baked.
A completely assembled but unbaked noodle kugel can be stored in several ways.
It’s not recommended to keep your unbaked casserole at room temperature for an extended period of time as the included ingredients may spoil.
It’s best to keep your unbaked noodle kugel in the fridge. It can safely stay in the refrigerator for up to two days before you’ll need to bake it.
Alternatively, you can freeze an unbaked noodle kugel for an easy freezer meal in the future.
If you decide to freeze your noodle kugel before baking it, make sure you don’t move it directly from the freezer to the oven.
Take your kugel out of the freezer to let it start to thaw before you place it in the oven, or keep it in the fridge overnight to defrost fully.
How Long Will Noodle Kugel Last in The Freezer?
Leftover or unbaked Noodle Kugel can be kept in the freezer for up to three months if properly frozen.
Noodle Kugel will actually be safe to keep in the freezer for much longer but the taste and consistency of the dish will begin to be affected after the three-month period.
Freezing Can Change Your Noodle Kugel’s Consistency
It might be tempting to make and bake noodle kugel then freeze the whole thing ahead of time, particularly if you’re making it for a special event or gathering.
However, this isn’t recommended.
While freezing is a great way to store kugel leftovers, a freshly baked and whole kugel may not freeze as well.
The taste won’t be affected, but freezing can sometimes change food consistency.
Since you can freeze a prepared but unbaked kugel without any problem, it’s recommended you go with that option instead if you’re tempted to freeze your meal-prepped casserole.
Other Ways To Properly Store Noodle Kugel Leftovers
Casseroles are a great food to make, no matter what sort you opt for. They tend to keep well and are easy to store to have a stress-free meal ready when you don’t feel like cooking something.
Noodle kugel is no different.
Once baked, you don’t have to worry about your noodle kugel going bad too quickly.
You don’t even necessarily have to keep it in an airtight container. Just make sure it stays covered.
A Freshly Baked Noodle Kugel Can Stay at Room Temperature for a Day
If your kitchen doesn’t get extremely hot, you can keep it at room temperature for about 24 hours.
However, if you think you’ll need longer than that to eat it, you may want to store it in your refrigerator or freezer right away.
If you plan to store your kugel like this, make sure it stays covered and potentially opt for moving it to a sealed container so that it doesn’t start to dry out.
It’s Best To Refrigerate Your Noodle Kugel Right Away if Possible
The fastest way you can store your leftover noodle kugel is by refrigerating it.
Generally, noodle kugel won’t turn stale in the fridge, so you can keep it in any dish or pan without needing to ensure it’s airtight.
Just cover it with a dish, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap.
This isn’t a long-term storage solution, however.
You need to eat your leftover kugel in three days or less to make sure it hasn’t started to go bad before you dig in.
Conclusion
Noodle kugel may seem like a tricky food to store if you’re not familiar with it.
Freezing noodles, after all, might seem counter-intuitive.
However, kugel is food that freezes great, both before and after it’s baked.
You can freeze your kugel before you bake it if you assemble it ahead of time, and you can freeze your leftovers.
However, you can also refrigerate your kugel, which might be the best option if you plan on eating it all within a few days of making it.
