Description
Creamy crockpot pierogi casserole with kielbasa brings Polish comfort straight to dinner tables. Rich layers of potato dumplings, smoky sausage, and cheese combine for hearty meal you’ll savor with genuine satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced
- 3 packages Mrs. Ts cheddar pierogies
Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by layering frozen pierogies, kielbasa slices, and half the cheddar cheese in a 4-6 quart slow cooker, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour chicken broth over the layered ingredients, covering them completely to prevent drying out during cooking.
- Set crockpot to high temperature and cook for 3-4 hours, or alternatively use low setting for 6 hours to develop rich, robust flavors.
- Thirty minutes before cooking completion, create a smooth cream cheese sauce by whisking cream cheese with remaining chicken broth until fully integrated and lump-free.
- Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot, stirring carefully to prevent pierogi breakage and ensure even coating.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, allowing it to melt and create a golden, bubbling surface.
- Cover and continue cooking on low setting for an additional 30 minutes to allow cheese to melt completely and flavors to blend.
- Once cooking is complete, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added color and brightness, then serve hot directly from the crockpot.
Notes
- Opt for Quick-Cooking Variations: Use pre-cooked or fresh pierogies instead of frozen to reduce overall cooking time and enhance texture.
- Customize Cheese Selections: Experiment with different cheese blends like Swiss, Gouda, or pepper jack to add unique flavor dimensions and personalize the dish.
- Boost Nutritional Value: Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to increase vegetable content and create a more balanced meal.
- Accommodate Dietary Needs: Substitute kielbasa with turkey sausage or plant-based alternatives for lower-fat or vegetarian versions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on High) or 7 hours (on Low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 408
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1080mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 56mg