There is something mighty comforting about a pantry dessert that comes together with simple ingredients and a casserole dish, especially around Thanksgiving when the oven is already working overtime. This old-fashioned style noodle pudding dessert leans on the frugal country habit of turning everyday staples into something sweet and filling, baking wide egg noodles with apples and warm spice into a soft, spoonable treat that tastes right at home beside the holiday meal.
Serve this dessert warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to dress it up a bit. It also goes nicely with a cup of coffee after supper, and for a true Thanksgiving table, you can set it out alongside pumpkin pie, cranberry relish, and roasted turkey leftovers for folks who like a little sweet bite before the evening is through.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked Thanksgiving Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
12 ounces dry uncooked wide egg noodles
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 9x13-inch oven-safe glass casserole dish.
2. Spread the dry uncooked wide egg noodles evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
3. Spoon the apple pie filling over the noodles, then drizzle the melted butter across the top and sprinkle with the cinnamon.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the noodles are tender and the top is bubbling around the edges.
5. Let the dessert rest for 10 minutes before serving so the apples settle and the noodles finish softening. Spoon warm into bowls and serve as is or with vanilla ice cream.
Variations & Tips
Raisin Apple Version: If you have a handful of raisins in the pantry, stir them in with the pie filling for a fuller, old-fashioned flavor that reminds me of church supper desserts.
Extra Spice: A pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice can be added along with the cinnamon if you want a deeper holiday fragrance without changing the simple nature of the recipe.
Soft Noodle Tip: Since oven temperatures can vary, check that the noodles are fully tender before serving. If they still seem too firm, add a few spoonfuls of hot water, cover again, and bake a little longer.
Make It Richer: This dessert is especially good with a spoonful of whipped cream, a drizzle of heavy cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream served over the warm top.