Description
Hearty pierogi casserole brings Polish comfort to dinner tables with kielbasa and cheesy layers of flavor. Rich ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal that warms hearts and fills bellies with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb kielbasa, sliced
- 3 packages cheddar pierogies, frozen
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth, divided
Cheese Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Seasoning:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Arrange frozen pierogies and kielbasa in a 4-6 quart crockpot, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour chicken broth over the pierogies and kielbasa, then sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese across the top.
- Set crockpot to high temperature and cook for 3-4 hours, or alternatively use low setting for 6 hours until ingredients are heated through.
- Prepare cream cheese sauce by gently warming it with additional chicken broth, stirring until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Thirty minutes before serving, blend the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot, thoroughly incorporating it with the existing ingredients.
- Generously top the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese, creating a rich, melting layer.
- Continue cooking on low setting for an additional 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and cheese to become perfectly melted.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully transfer the casserole to serving dishes, ensuring each portion receives a balanced mix of pierogies, kielbasa, and cheesy sauce.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added color and subtle onion flavor before presenting to diners.
Notes
- Swap frozen pierogies with fresh ones for a homemade touch, ensuring they’re well-coated in broth to prevent sticking.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and kielbasa, perfect for heart-conscious diners.
- Customize the cheese blend by mixing sharp cheddar with mild varieties for a more complex flavor profile.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing kielbasa with plant-based sausage and using vegetable broth for a hearty meat-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg