Description
Polish comfort classic Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa delivers hearty flavors from Eastern European traditions. Creamy layers of potatoes, pasta, and smoky sausage create a satisfying meal you will savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (16 oz or 454 g) frozen potato and cheese pierogies
- 1 pound (454 g) kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh chives or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Layer Preparation: Arrange frozen pierogies in an overlapping pattern across the crockpot base, creating a foundational layer that ensures comprehensive coverage and even cooking.
- Protein Distribution: Slice kielbasa into consistent medallions and disperse them uniformly across the pierogi layer, guaranteeing balanced meat integration throughout the dish.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Finely dice onions and scatter them over the meat layer to infuse depth and complexity into the casserole’s flavor profile.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk cream of mushroom soup with sour cream and chicken broth, transforming these ingredients into a luxuriously smooth sauce that will permeate every component of the dish.
- Seasoning Fusion: Incorporate garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the sauce, stirring meticulously to develop a harmonious flavor landscape that elevates the entire casserole.
- Layering and Coverage: Pour the prepared sauce over the pierogi and kielbasa, ensuring complete and consistent coverage to prevent any potential dry regions during slow cooking.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top, allowing it to melt and create a golden, appetizing surface during the cooking process.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature for 4-5 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 2-3 hours until pierogies reach optimal tenderness and flavors meld completely.
- Serving Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped chives or green onions to introduce a vibrant, aromatic finish and enhance the visual appeal of the comforting dish.
Notes
- Optimize Pierogi Placement: Overlap frozen pierogies carefully to ensure consistent heat distribution and prevent uneven cooking throughout the casserole.
- Balance Kielbasa Cutting: Slice sausage into equal-sized medallions to guarantee uniform meat coverage and even flavor in each bite.
- Control Moisture Levels: Pour sauce slowly and thoroughly to prevent dry patches, ensuring every pierogi gets coated with creamy goodness.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle shredded cheese generously but evenly, allowing it to create a golden, appetizing top layer without clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg