This Traditional Egg Noodle Casserole is one of my favourite childhood memories.
Baked egg noodles that I called Ukrainian pasta! Noodles, eggs, and milk can create some magic in the kitchen. Baba knew what she was doing.
She would also be impressed with my version of lazy cabbage rolls. All the flavour of traditional cabbage rolls without all of the work.
Baba would have this ready for me as an after school treat. How I miss her cooking. This noodle casserole brings back so many wonderful memories.
I am a pasta girl for sure. From spaghetti to gnocchi, macaroni salad to everyone’s favourite mac and cheese.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this baked noodle casserole are at the bottom of this post.
When you were a kid, what was your go-to snack after school? Cake, cookies, chips? Mine was egg noodle casserole! I am totally serious.
Savoury food all the way for me. I do enjoy desserts (who doesn’t), but given the choice between freshly baked cookies or fresh baked bread, bread wins hands down.
Simple Ingredients
It really does not get easier than this. For this baked noodle recipe you will need:
- egg noodles
- eggs
- milk
- salt
Everyone has eaten casseroles with noodles. You know the ones I am talking about.
Those wonderful casseroles made with cream soups.
- hamburger casseroles
- chicken noodle casserole
- tuna noodle casserole
Do these bring back memories? Noodle dinner recipes that were (or even still are) family favourites. The perfect casserole to take to pot lucks and family gatherings. Did you like crushed potato chips on your noodle casserole?
And we cannot forget to mention chicken noodle soup! Always a must for when you are feeling under the weather. It works like magic.
I also remember potato casseroles too. Sweet Potato Au Gratin is the ultimate comfort food. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes, covered in cream and topped with cheese. What is not to love?
How To Make Ukrainian Egg Noodle Casserole
This really is a simple noodle recipe to put together.
- Cook egg noodles “al dente”
- Combine cooked noodles with eggs, milk, and seasonings.
- Place in a greased casserole dish.
- Bake.
- Enjoy!
The milk and eggs form sort of custard as the casserole bakes. The noodles on top get nice and crunchy (the best part). Once baked you can eat this warm, but I even eat it cold.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Egg Noodles?
This type of noodle cooks quickly. Overcooking will produce soggy, mushy noodles.
Use a large pot of boiling water. The noodles need space to cook properly.
Fresh noodles will cook in about 3-4 minutes. Dried, store-bought variety will take 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the noodles.
There are lots of varieties, and here are just a few:
- (affiliate) No Yolks
- (affiliate) Egg Dumpling Noodles
- (affiliate) Gluten-Free
Have you ever tasted homemade egg noodles? I sure hope so. Baba’s were THE BEST EVER. My mom could churn these out too, but there is that special touch only baba’s (or grammas) have. Something I am striving to achieve for my grandkids.
She also made the best pierogies too. You know the stuffed Ukrainian pasta. You NEED to make this creamy Pierogi Sauce. It is THE BEST topping ever.
Baba was a culinary master. Her homemade sauerkraut beat anything you could buy in the store. I would love to use it in my kapusta recipe.
She also made the best side dish we like to call Ukrainian dill potatoes. Perfect for steak, chicken and more.
This Ukrainian pasta bake is also known as kugel (the Jewish version) or pastiera, the traditional Easter egg noodle pudding found on the Ukrainian and Italian tables. They can also be referred to as kluski.
Another version is baked lokshyna. A casserole with egg noodles, cottage cheese and bacon. Typical Ukrainian comfort food.
Are You A Noodle Lover?
Here are a few delicious recipes for you to try:
- Canned Tuna Pasta Toss made with simple ingredients.
- Easy Penne Pasta made with a delicious olive tapenade.
- Green Thai Curry better than takeout for dinner any night.
- Mushroom Bites a fun and nostalgic appetizer.
I bake my noodles in a glass baking dish. That is how mom did it. There is something about seeing those nice brown edges through the glass.
Good old noodle casseroles will never go out of style. This Traditional Egg Noodle Casserole will be a treasured favourite forever. ❤I miss you baba❤.
Looking For More Casserole Recipes For Dinner ?
Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU.
Ukrainian Baked Egg Noodle Casserole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºFGrease a 9×13 baking dish/pan
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions.
- Drain, and rinse with cold water.Place cooked egg noodles into the greased baking dish.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk and salt.
- Pour evenly over the noodles in the baking dish.
- Slightly press down the noodles into the liquid.
- Bake in oven until set, and top is nicely browned (that is the best part). Approximately 45 minutes.
- Cut into squares. Can be eaten hot or cold.
- ENJOY!
Barbara Marco
Mom always cooked it with 35% cream; does that make a difference and only 2 eggs but you are saying three eggs; does that make a difference?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Honestly, experiment and see. I am sure your mom’s dish was delicious, so cook from your heart. I would think it should turn out great.
Trepur
This was a great meal. I can see how it could be the base for many different types of baked dishes. Now I know how to make it I shall start experimenting with it. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Experiment away and enjoy!
Patti P.
My Baba and my Mother added lots of American cheese layered in. It was so good the next day cold, right out of the fridge.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I do love cheese, I will give that version a try.
CG
Super-easy, and very versatile – thank you for sharing your family’s traditional dish! And thank you for adding the calculator for adjusting the number of servings. The ingredient amounts and baking time/temp worked perfectly. I used whole wheat spaghetti instead of egg noodles, and “Vegeta” seasoning instead of salt. Since I’m on “Team Savory,” I sprinkled some shredded Parmesan and cracked black pepper over the top of the casserole for the last few minutes in the oven. It came out DELICIOUS! For breakfast this morning I reheated a slice for 1 minute in the microwave, and it was delicious too! I will make this often . . .
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy you enjoyed this traditional Ukrainian egg noodle casserole. It sure brings back memories of my baba. Your additions and substitutions sound delicious. So glad you made the recipe just the way you like it.
karie belcastro
How many eggs do you use in this recipe it does not say.
Thanks
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
If you scroll down to the recipe card it does say 6 eggs. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
pat
Does anyone make noodle casserole with cinnamon?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
There is a sweet version of this that incorporates some raisins and cinnamon.
Shari Rickeard
When my mother made this…she added a touch of cinnamon, sugar and vanilla to the egg mixture. Delicious. More like a sweet dessert. She got this recipe from baba who came from the Ukraine.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes there is a sweet version of this Ukrainian noodle casserole. My baba only made the savoury one.
Barbara Marco
Funny you should ask. It is in the oven now to take to the cottage. I use a generous pinch of cinnamon. It is lovely addition to flavor and it smells wonderful as it bakes.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy….this casserole is a family tradition for sure.
Janet Trieschman
You mention adding seasoning but you don’t say what kind or how much.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I only have salt listed in the recipe card. Baba did not have a spice collection. Feel free to use any seasoning you would like. ENJOY!
Vanessa
I altered this recipe the way my baba does by using spaghetti noodles and adding 1 cup of cheddar to the egg milk mixture. Nothing tastes like babas cooking but this came pretty close. At first I was worried the egg milk mixture was way too much for the ammount of noodles but it ended up being perfect. I baked this for an hour and 5 mins.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I totally agree, baba knew her way around the kitchen. Glad it turned out and brought back some wonderful food memories for you.
Monia
When you give the noodle amount, I believe this is the mass of dry noodles. Right? How much would it be in already cooked noodles? The reason why I ask is because I have leftover plain noodles already cooked and would like to use them up in this recipe. But I need to know if I need to scale it up or down.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes the noodles are the package uncooked. If you already have cooked noodles, they will work. You may have to adjust the amount of wet ingredients depending on the amount of noodles you have. The amount of noodles I used filled the baking dish. Hope this helps.
Olga
Nostrovia! I am Uk also. Thanks for the recipe.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. ENJOY!
Ann Mc
I’m going to make this recipe for my Ukrainian friend in American. She is so worried about her family she’s not eating so I figured a little Ukrainian soul food would sooth her nerves. I’m praying for peace for Ukraine. Ann
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
What a thoughtful idea. We too are hoping things will calm down, and this invasion will end. I feel so bad for all the innocent people that have to deal with this. Hope she enjoys this recipe.
Heather
My Ukrainian grandma and great grandma added raisins and bacon so we do too 😊
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes that is a popular version as well. Love the bacon part….sounds delicious.
Denise
This sounds great. But I think I will add some nutmeg. Reminds me of German spatzle.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
By all means, please adjust the seasoning any way you like. ENJOY!
Susan
My nana used to make this egg noodle or Kugle recipe usually savory and served with a beef roast and gravy on top of crusty noodles. Absolutely delicious!! Took me 20 yrs to find this recipe! I made it and it brought me back in time to those lovely Sunday dinners.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG…so glad it brought back happy memories for you. Thanks so much for your comment.
Romina
Do you have the recipe for the homemade egg noodles?
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Sorry I do not. My baba made her own, but I just use store-bought.
Suzanne Matthews
I grew up on this my mother made it all the time and when she passed away it took me 13 years to find this recipe that I found today I am mediately went to the store and got all the ingredients I can’t wait to try my favorite childhood memory ❤️
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG…I love hearing this. I still remember visiting baba after school and THIS was my snack. Enjoy my friend…and keep those wonderful memories alive!!
Judy M
This dish is a true Ukrainian tradition which is eaten at Easter. My mom made it with raisins and cottage cheese and I have carried on this tradition and yes always homemade egg noodles. My family is from Saskatchewan and luckily for me I inherited her old Ukrainian cookbooks from the prairies which helps me carry on with all the Christmas and Easter traditional foods. Also found this recipe in a 1984 Russian Doukhobour ethnic cookbook which which was also handed down to me. These books are like royalty on my cookbook shelf…
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Aw….yes a true classic. I have never tried the version with raisins. This was the BEST after school snack when I was a kid.
Winnie
What is the Ukrainian name for this baked macoroni?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The name for Ukrainian baked noodles is “Lokshyna”.
Karen
My grandma, and then my mom use to make this. I have been looking for the recipe fore v e r!!! My grandpa was from the Ukraine, he come to Ellis Island on the boat!!! Grandma probably made it for him, he might have brought the recipe with him. It sees like she put nutmeg in it, or maybe cinnamon!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am SO happy you found this recipe. Some people do add cinnamon, but my baba never did. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do.