Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa: Comfort Food at Its Best

If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that requires minimal effort and maximum flavor, look no further than this Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa. Imagine tender cheddar pierogies, creamy chicken broth, savory kielbasa, and melted cheddar cheese all blending together in a warm, slow-cooked casserole. This dish brings together the rich, flavorful notes of Eastern European cuisine with the convenience of a crockpot, making it a perfect addition to any busy cook’s rotation.

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The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: with just a handful of ingredients and a few hours in the slow cooker, you can have a hearty, family-friendly meal ready to serve. Whether you’re preparing dinner for a busy weeknight or planning to feed a crowd, this pierogi casserole is sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients Breakdown

To make the Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Three packages of Mrs. T’s Cheddar Pierogies: These frozen pierogies are the star of the dish, offering the signature dough and cheddar filling that makes this casserole so comforting. The frozen variety allows for convenience and perfect texture when slow-cooked.
• Four cups of chicken broth: This adds depth of flavor to the casserole and helps to cook the pierogies to tender perfection. You can use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
• One 8-ounce block of cream cheese: Cream cheese is key to adding richness and a velvety smooth texture to the casserole. It creates a creamy base that coats the pierogies and kielbasa, elevating the dish to comfort food status.
• One cup of shredded cheddar cheese: A generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese ensures that the casserole is gooey, cheesy, and indulgent. It melts beautifully, creating a luscious sauce that coats the ingredients.
• One pound of kielbasa, sliced: Kielbasa adds a smoky, savory depth to the dish. The kielbasa’s bold flavor complements the richness of the pierogies and the creaminess of the sauce.
• Salt and pepper: These basic seasonings help to enhance the flavors of the dish, making it perfectly balanced.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the process of making this Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa:

1. Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot

In a 4-6 quart crockpot, start by adding three cups of chicken broth, the frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, and shredded cheddar cheese. Make sure to evenly distribute the ingredients so that the pierogies are submerged in the liquid. This will ensure they cook to a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

2. Set the Crockpot to Cook

Set your crockpot to cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. The slow cooking allows the pierogies to absorb the savory chicken broth while becoming tender and fluffy. The kielbasa will also release its smoky flavor into the broth, enriching the overall taste of the casserole. During this time, the flavors will meld together into one comforting, savory dish.

3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, you’ll need to prepare the cream cheese mixture. Take the block of cream cheese and remaining one cup of chicken broth and heat them together. You can do this in a microwave-safe dish or on the stovetop. Once the cream cheese is warmed and softened, whisk it until it achieves a smooth consistency. This creamy mixture will form the base of the casserole’s sauce.

4. Add the Cream Cheese Mixture

Once your cream cheese mixture is ready, pour it into the crockpot and stir gently to combine. This will create a rich, creamy sauce that envelops the pierogies, kielbasa, and cheese. As the ingredients continue to cook for another 30 minutes on low, the sauce will thicken, and the flavors will deepen, creating a satisfying dish that’s both creamy and comforting.

5. Final Touches

Before serving, sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole and cover the crockpot for a final 30 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. This will give the casserole a golden, gooey cheese layer on top, enhancing the rich texture and flavor.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once everything is fully cooked, the casserole is ready to be served. Garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color and a mild, oniony crunch that adds freshness to the dish. Serve it warm and enjoy every bite of this hearty, comforting casserole!

Flavor and Texture Descriptions

When you dig into this Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa, you’ll be treated to a medley of textures and flavors. The pierogies have a perfectly soft and pillowy texture, absorbing the flavors of the chicken broth while maintaining their integrity throughout the slow-cooking process. The kielbasa provides a smoky, savory contrast to the creamy pierogies, with each slice releasing juicy, flavorful oils as it cooks.

The cream cheese mixture lends the casserole a velvety richness, while the cheddar cheese adds a sharp, tangy bite that balances the creaminess. The cheese melts into the broth, creating a silky sauce that clings to every bite of pierogi and kielbasa. The green onions offer a fresh, zesty crunch that cuts through the richness, making each bite even more satisfying.

Tips, Variations, and Substitutions

This Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa is versatile and can be easily customized based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences:

Ingredient Substitutions

• Pierogies: While Mrs. T’s cheddar pierogies are a go-to, you can substitute with other flavors such as potato and cheese or even mushroom if you prefer. You can also use fresh pierogies, though frozen pierogies tend to hold up better in slow cooking.
• Kielbasa: If you’re not a fan of kielbasa or want a different flavor profile, try substituting with smoked sausage, turkey sausage, or even chicken sausage for a leaner option. The key is choosing a sausage with a rich, savory flavor that will infuse the broth.
• Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese. Gouda, mozzarella, or even a spicy pepper jack can be used for a unique twist. Feel free to add more cheese for an extra creamy casserole.

Variations

• Vegetable Add-ins: If you want to sneak in some extra vegetables, consider adding chopped onions, bell peppers, or even spinach to the casserole. These vegetables will cook down beautifully and enhance the dish with their flavor and nutrition.
• Spicy Kick: For a bit of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a bit of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture. This adds a lovely contrast to the richness of the cheese and kielbasa.
• Low-Carb or Gluten-Free: To make the dish more suitable for those on low-carb or gluten-free diets, opt for gluten-free pierogies or even cauliflower-based pierogies. You could also reduce the amount of cheese for a lighter version.

Storage and Leftovers

This casserole stores well in the fridge for 3-4 days. To store, simply allow it to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months, so feel free to make a double batch and store leftovers for a rainy day!

Conclusion

This Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa is the epitome of comfort food—a hearty, creamy dish that combines the best of savory kielbasa, soft pierogies, and rich cheeses, all cooked together in one convenient pot. It’s the perfect dish to serve for a cozy dinner or a family gathering, and its simplicity makes it easy enough to prepare even on your busiest days. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try out one of the many variations, this casserole is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

So, fire up your slow cooker, grab the ingredients, and treat yourself to a comforting, flavorful meal that’s ready when you are!