Overnight Potato Kugel: So Delicious, and Now Presentable Too!

Because we finally figured out how to serve it without it looking  like a sloppy mess.

Did you ever wonder how to serve an overnight potato kugel without losing your Hungarian balebusta reputation? Ok fine, let’s not exaggerate. But also, these things really matter to me. I will not cook or serve something that isn’t appealing. That is, if I can help it. 

Even cholent is more attractive and containable than overnight potato kugel. It can be brought to the table in a large communal bowl or in single serve crocs (so cute!). The point is, that for years I couldn’t figure out how to serve the potato kugel on Shabbos day. Cutting it doesn’t work (it won’t hold). 

After much thought, I discovered that using a Pyrex is the perfect solution. 

This is how I do it now: 

Every Friday I prepare a double recipe (or at times, 1.5x recipe) of this classic potato kugel, our favorite. I divide the mixture between a few pans, including one round Pyrex Baking Pan like this one

or even just the round Pyrex storage container shown in the photo and proceed to bake it according to the recipe. Sometimes, I will even bake a few round ones, for example before Yom Tov.

Once baked, I will sometimes place it into a resealable bag and freeze it until ready to use. 

potato kugel baked in a round pyrex bowl, placed in a 9x13 foil pan

If using for the following day, I place it into a 9 x 13-inch pan and cover the whole thing well with heavy duty foil. Then, place it in a 200⁰F oven overnight. (that’s where the name comes from, correct?)

And forget about it. 

This can also be placed in a warming drawer, it’s pretty much the same thing as an oven on 200F.

using a knife to cut around the circumference of the baked potato kugel in a round pyrex

Once ready to serve, you will need to be careful. First, run a knife along the circumference of the kugel. 

top the potato kugel in a round pyrex with a plat. ready to flip it

Then, top it with a plate and flip it. 

potato kugel in round pyrex flipped onto a white dinner plate using oven mits
flipped potato kugel without pyrex on a white dinner plate

Very carefully remove the Pyrex (it’s hot! And hard to grip!). Use oven mitts or a towel. 

another plate over the flipped kugel. to flip it again so it is right side up

Then, place another plate over it and flip it again. 

potato kugel baked in a pyrex. on a dinner plate without the pyrex bowl

And there you have it. 

cutting potato kugel baked in a pyrex. on a dinner plate without the pyrex bowl

A round kugel that you can slice and bring to the table and it looks (and tastes) fabulous! 

Renee Muller

Renee is a sought-after food and lifestyle stylist and the author of two cookbooks. With dishes and linens as her paint palette, it’s her artistry that weaves a beautiful story in the photos on this site.

8 responses to “Overnight Potato Kugel: So Delicious, and Now Presentable Too!”

  1. R Avatar
    R

    That looks beautiful. I make one of the recipes from this site, (I think Leah Schapira) in a deep lasagna pan. I use patchment paper one in the length and one in the width, higher than the pan. When the kugel is ready I use the parchment as a “sling”‘to lift onto a platter (you might needa partner for this). Your method is def. prettier, but then you need to wash the bowl. Either way-enjoy!

  2. JH Avatar

    It can also be done in a slow cooker. Also use a parchment paper ‘sling’ at bottom of pan (as ‘R’ describes above) for easy lift-out.
    see Pesach While You Sleep: the easy way to cook ahead for Yom Tov…no Pesach kitchen necessary!

  3. Ruchi Avatar
    Ruchi

    Your Hungarian blood may be shocked to hear this, but a disposable round foil pan fits in a round Pyrex dish perfectly. My overnight kugal goes straight in the pan to the pyrex and is brought to table like that. Easy, decently pretty and no washing dishes.

  4. Chavy Avatar
    Chavy

    Hi I just want to warn everyone that heating a pyrex dish on high with oil for too long can cause it to shatter. It happened to me once and since I’ve read other people’s accounts of Pyrex exploding. Changes in temperatures like adding cold items to a very hot dish can also cause it to explode. Please be careful.

  5. Estie G Avatar
    Estie G

    Love this idea!
    When you freeze overnight kugel, do you defrost it before “overnighting” it? Or do you put it straight from the freezer into the 200 degree oven?

  6. PD Avatar
    PD

    Do you use any water to overnight it?

  7. TF Avatar
    TF

    Can I do this in a 9×13? Do i need to add extra water?

    Thank you

  8. Shaindy Weldler Avatar
    Shaindy Weldler

    Just an extra tip; when l flip the kugel out the first time, l leave the loosened foil cover from the kugel on the kugel. This way when l flip, the top plate never gets dirty. Just the serving dish, when you flip it back!

Leave a Reply

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Contact Us

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

FREE GIFT!

Close the CTA

Get our BCP Lifepages Planner by signing up to our email list!