There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, cheesy casserole that brings together classic flavors in one dish. This Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe combines tender pierogies, smoky kielbasa, and creamy cheese sauce for a hearty meal that feels like a big, tasty hug on a plate.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made this casserole on a chilly weekend when I wanted something quick, filling, and totally delicious. The magic of the Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe is how it layers simple ingredients into one dish that’s flavorful enough to satisfy any craving.
- Easy and Quick: You can throw it together in under an hour, perfect for busy nights.
- Comfort Food Classic: The blend of creamy cheese and smoky kielbasa hits all the right cozy notes.
- One-Dish Wonder: Minimal cleanup with maximum flavor — what’s not to love?
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will dig into this casserole, making it ideal for any household.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe plays a role in creating the perfect harmony of comfort and flavor. When shopping, look for fresh or quality frozen pierogies and kielbasa — they’re the stars of the show.
- Kielbasa sausage: Offers a smoky, savory punch that stands up beautifully against the creamy sauce.
- Frozen pierogies: Convenient and tender, they soak up the sauce and bring that classic dumpling texture.
- Cream cheese: Makes the sauce luscious and rich without being too heavy.
- Sour cream: Adds tanginess to balance the richness of the cheese and kielbasa.
- Chicken broth: Thins out the sauce just right, so it coats everything without being gloopy.
- Onion & garlic powder: Boosts flavor depth without overpowering the dish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for rounding out all the flavors.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Brings a sharpness that melts perfectly on top and inside.
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives that gooey, melty stretch that makes every bite irresistible.
- Green onions: Fresh garnish that adds a pop of color and mild crunch.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about the Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often tweak the cheese blend or add veggies depending on what I have on hand. It’s a canvas ripe for personalization!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap in spicy kielbasa for a little kick, or add sautéed mushrooms and onions for extra texture — it’s delish either way!
- Diet-friendly tip: For a lighter version, try reduced-fat cream cheese and cheese, or use chicken sausage instead of kielbasa.
- Seasonal swaps: In the cooler months, a sprinkle of smoked paprika enhances the cozy vibe beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 9x13-inch baking dish; don’t forget to spray it lightly with non-stick spray. Slice the kielbasa into ¼-inch pieces and spread them evenly in the dish along with the frozen pierogies. This makes the layering easy and ensures every bite has a good mix.
Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, use a hand mixer (or whisk if you prefer) to blend softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth—this is key to a silky sauce. Then add chicken broth and seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk in half of both the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for richness and flavor depth.
Step 3: Combine and Bake
Pour the sauce over your pierogies and kielbasa, then gently stir everything so it’s evenly coated. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella on top for that irresistible cheesy crust. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After that, pull off the foil and bake another 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Step 4: Rest and Garnish
Once out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes — this helps the casserole set so it’s easier to serve. I like to add sliced green onions right before serving because they add freshness and a bit of crunch that contrasts nicely with the melty cheese.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe a bunch of times, a few small tricks really make it shine and save you some stress in the kitchen.
- Sauce Smoothness: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it mixes smoothly without lumps.
- Even Layering: Spread the pierogies and kielbasa in a single layer for even cooking—avoid stacking so they heat through nicely.
- Cheese Topping: Use a good quality shredded cheese rather than slices to get that perfect melt and golden topping.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the casserole cool a bit after baking; it gives the sauce time to thicken so serving isn’t messy.
How to Serve Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this casserole with thinly sliced green onions—they add a subtle sharpness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little paprika or even some crispy bacon bits for an extra flavor boost.
Side Dishes
To balance the hearty casserole, I love pairing it with a fresh green salad or steamed veggies like broccoli or asparagus. Pickled cucumbers or sauerkraut also complement the kielbasa beautifully, enhancing the Eastern European vibes.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I bake this in decorative individual ramekins — it’s perfect for a cozy dinner party and adds a personal touch. I also like topping each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill for a pop of color and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just a heads-up: the pierogies soak up sauce over time, so the casserole thickens — it’s still delicious, just heartier.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well! I transfer portions into freezer-safe containers and it keeps for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop individual servings in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or microwave on medium power until warmed through. Adding a little extra shredded cheese on top before reheating revives that melty goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Fresh pierogies will work great. Just keep an eye on the baking time as they might cook faster since they’re not frozen. You want them tender and hot throughout, so adjust accordingly.
You can swap the kielbasa for vegetarian sausage or smoked tofu to keep the smoky flavor without meat. Also, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully vegetarian. The dish will still be creamy and satisfying!
I recommend using smoked kielbasa for its rich flavor, but you can use any pre-cooked kielbasa sausage you like. Kielbasa that’s already fully cooked is best since the casserole is baked for a relatively short time.
Yes! You can assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, just take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before putting it in the oven to help it bake evenly.
Final Thoughts
The Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe has become my go-to for a fuss-free dinner that still feels special. It’s cozy, cheesy, and brings people together around the table — just like I hoped when I first made it. I’m excited for you to give it a try and make it your own family favorite, too.
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Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish-American
Description
This Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining savory kielbasa sausage, tender pierogies, and a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. It's perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 14 ounces sliced kielbasa sausage, ¼-inch thick
- 32 ounces frozen pierogies
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) block softened cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Garnish
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Kielbasa and Pierogies: Place the sliced kielbasa sausage and frozen pierogies evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a bowl, using a hand mixer, whisk together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese; whisk until well combined.
- Combine Sauce and Ingredients: Pour the sauce over the pierogies and kielbasa in the baking dish, then gently mix to coat everything evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered for Browning: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before garnishing with sliced green onions. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute turkey kielbasa for a leaner option.
- Use fresh pierogies if available, increasing bake time by 5-10 minutes accordingly.
- If dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with vegan alternatives.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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