Baked Noodle Ring
A visually impressive baked noodle ring featuring tender noodles enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crisp bread crumbs. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it offers a comforting blend of flavors and textures that appeal to both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
- Drain well and keep hot.
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Stir in flour to make a smooth paste.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Stir in milk and heavy cream a little at a time.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Beat egg yolks until light and lemon colored.
- Stir a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks.
- Add the yolks all at once to the hot mixture.
- Continue to cook for 1 minute.
- Beat egg whites until they hold stiff peaks.
- Combine the noodles with the sauce and fold in the beaten egg whites.
- Pour the mixture into a greased ring mold or baking dish.
- Sprinkle with fine dry bread crumbs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Baked Noodle Ring, consider adding sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the noodle mixture. If you're out of heavy cream, you can substitute it with additional milk or a mix of milk and sour cream for a similar texture. Make sure to cook the noodles just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is delightful when served with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables, providing a nice contrast to the richness of the noodles. You can also pair it with a light vinaigrette or a creamy dressing. For a comforting meal, serve alongside some Dove Buttered Biscuits to soak up any leftover sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the Baked Noodle Ring in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, ensuring they are covered to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Noodle Ring contains roughly 530 calories, with 7g protein, 53g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (38% of the Daily Value) and iron (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1291mg per serving (56% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Baked Noodle Ring a day in advance. Just follow the recipe up until the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake it directly from the refrigerator, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if needed.
What can I substitute for the eggs?
If you're looking for a vegan alternative, you can use a flaxseed meal or chia seed mixture as an egg substitute. For each egg, combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water, let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens, and then use it in the recipe.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To prevent sticking, make sure to drain the noodles well and toss them with a little bit of oil or additional melted butter after cooking. This will help keep them separate and improve the overall texture of your Baked Noodle Ring.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).