Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole is a comfort food dream come true, transforming classic pierogi into a hearty, timesaving slow cooker meal perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe delivers an incredibly satisfying and flavorful dish with minimal effort, making it a must-try for any home cook.
Key Ingredients for Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole
- 1 pound pre-cooked pierogi (potato and cheese, or your favorite variety)
- 1 pound kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste (optional, depending on the saltiness of your sausage)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping, optional)
- Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole
This Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole is the epitome of effortless comfort, offering a rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying meal without the fuss. With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a flavorful symphony, featuring tender pierogi, savory sausage, and a luscious sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready for a delicious, no-stress dinner!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Crock Pot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. This ensures your Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole lifts out beautifully.
- Layer the Ingredients: Begin by adding the sliced kielbasa or smoked sausage to the bottom of the greased slow cooker.
- Add Aromatics: Sprinkle the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the sausage. The heat from the slow cooker will gently cook these elements, infusing the entire dish with their wonderful aroma and flavor.
- Introduce the Pierogi: Carefully arrange the pre-cooked pierogi on top of the sausage and onion mixture. Try to distribute them as evenly as possible so they all cook through.
- Craft the Creamy Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth and well combined. This creamy base is what makes our Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole so incredibly delicious and comforting.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the dried dill, black pepper, and salt (if using). Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed to suit your preference. Remember that the sausage may already be quite salty.
- Pour the Sauce: Evenly pour the prepared sauce over the pierogi and sausage mixture in the slow cooker. Ensure that everything is well coated for maximum flavor penetration.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the pierogi are heated through and tender, and the sauce is bubbly and thickened. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker model.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If you desire a cheesy topping for your Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. Cover and allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, allow the Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole to sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This short resting period helps the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped chives or parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and color. This Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole is a complete meal in itself, but also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole
You’ll absolutely adore this Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole for its incredibly comforting and satisfying nature, making it a beloved go-to meal. The star of this dish is the delightful fusion of tender pierogi and savory kielbasa, all enveloped in a luxuriously creamy sauce that’s simply irresistible. Unlike traditional stovetop methods that can be time-consuming, this slow cooker version is a true budget-friendly lifesaver, allowing you to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort and expense, perfect for feeding a hungry family.
The delightful combination of familiar pierogi flavors with the added richness of kielbasa and a creamy mushroom sauce creates a taste sensation that rivals even the most beloved comfort foods, offering a hearty and filling experience. The optional sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese and fresh herbs adds delightful layers of flavor and texture, elevating this humble casserole to something truly special. So, ditch the dinner stress and embrace the ease of slow cooking – your taste buds will thank you. Give this Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole a try and discover your new favorite weeknight meal!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your leftover Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerated Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out and microwave on medium power until heated through, stirring halfway if necessary. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes exceptionally well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container or divide it into individual portions using freezer bags. Properly stored, frozen Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole can last for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the reheating instructions above, or reheat directly from frozen in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for a longer period until heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole is a true champion of weeknight cooking, offering ultimate comfort and flavor with minimal fuss. Give it a go, and you’ll find yourself making this simple, delicious dish again and again.
Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. This ensures your Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole lifts out beautifully.
- Begin by adding the sliced kielbasa or smoked sausage to the bottom of the greased slow cooker.1 pound kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- Sprinkle the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the sausage. The heat from the slow cooker will gently cook these elements, infusing the entire dish with their wonderful aroma and flavor.1 medium onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Carefully arrange the pre-cooked pierogi on top of the sausage and onion mixture. Try to distribute them as evenly as possible so they all cook through.1 pound pre-cooked pierogi (potato and cheese, or your favorite variety)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth and well combined. This creamy base is what makes our Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole so incredibly delicious and comforting.1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream, ½ cup milk
- Stir in the dried dill, black pepper, and salt (if using). Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed to suit your preference. Remember that the sausage may already be quite salty.1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon black pepper, to taste salt
- Evenly pour the prepared sauce over the pierogi and sausage mixture in the slow cooker. Ensure that everything is well coated for maximum flavor penetration.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the pierogi are heated through and tender, and the sauce is bubbly and thickened. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker model.
- If you desire a cheesy topping for your Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. Cover and allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer.½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Once cooked, allow the Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole to sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This short resting period helps the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped chives or parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and color. This Easy Crock Pot Pierogi Casserole is a complete meal in itself, but also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad.fresh chives or parsley, chopped