A hearty and comforting casserole made with your favorite pierogi, sausage, vegetables, and cheese, all cooked slowly in your crockpot for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 (16-ounce) package frozen pierogi (potato and onion, cheese, or your favorite flavor)
- 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk or broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or a blend of your choice
- Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream (for topping)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion and bell pepper.
- Layer the Ingredients: In the crockpot, layer the ingredients in the following order:
- Half of the frozen pierogi
- Half of the sliced sausage
- Half of the chopped onion and bell pepper
- The remaining pierogi.
- The remaining sausage.
- The remaining onion and bell pepper.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk or broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the Sauce: Pour the soup mixture evenly over the layers in the crockpot.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the pierogi are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Add Cheese: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Cover and continue cooking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional Topping: If desired, dollop sour cream over the casserole before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
Tips and Variations:
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini.
- Different soups: Cream of chicken, or cream of celery soup can be used in place of the cream of mushroom.
- Add greens: Spinach or kale can be added to the casserole for extra nutrients.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Different cheeses: Use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
- Brown the sausage: for a deeper flavor, the sausage can be browned in a pan before adding it to the crockpot.
- Thawed Pierogi: If using thawed pierogi, the cooking time will be reduced, check on the pierogi sooner.
Enjoy your delicious and easy crockpot pierogi casserole!