The Creamy Cheddar Pierogi & Kielbasa Crockpot Casserole brings together comfort, convenience, and crave worthy flavors. With smoky kielbasa, tender cheese filled pierogies, and a rich cream cheese and cheddar sauce, it’s a dish that practically cooks itself while you get on with your day. Perfect for cold nights, busy weekdays, or family get-togethers.
Using just a handful of ingredients, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooking melds everything beautifully, creating a casserole that’s as hearty as it is satisfying. Pair it with a side salad or steamed vegetables to round out your plate or just grab a fork and dive right in. Either way, it’s comfort food done right.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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3 packages Mrs. T’s Cheddar Pierogies (frozen)
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4 cups chicken broth
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1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
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1 lb kielbasa, sliced
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
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In a 4-6 quart crockpot, add 3 cups of chicken broth, the frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to distribute evenly.
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6 hours, until the pierogies are tender and everything is heated through.
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About 30 minutes before serving, warm the cream cheese with the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth in the microwave or on the stovetop. Whisk until smooth.
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Pour the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot and stir well to incorporate.
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Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover, and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes.
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Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped green onions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
Kcal: 570 kcal (approx.)
Servings: 4 servings
The Comfort of Slow Cooking: A Deep Dive into Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa
There are recipes we cook for sustenance, and then there are recipes we prepare for the soul. The Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa falls firmly into the second category. It’s the kind of dish that not only fills the belly but warms the heart. Rich with tradition, brimming with flavor, and forgiving enough for even the busiest weeknight, this casserole is a celebration of Eastern European comfort food, adapted for the modern slow cooker.
This isn’t just another dump-and-go recipe it’s a tribute to home kitchens where the aroma of simmering sausage and melting cheese feels like a hug from the past. Whether you’re Polish, Ukrainian, or simply a fan of stick-to-your-ribs food, this casserole speaks a universal language: cozy.
A Taste of Eastern European Roots
At its heart, this casserole pays homage to two culinary staples of Eastern Europe: pierogi and kielbasa. Pierogi, dumpling-style pockets typically filled with potatoes, cheese, or meat, are a beloved part of Polish and Ukrainian cuisine. They were originally peasant food simple, hearty, and easy to make in large batches but have transcended their humble beginnings to become a globally loved dish.
Kielbasa, on the other hand, is Poland’s iconic sausage smoked, spiced, and packed with personality. In this recipe, it plays the savory counterpoint to the creamy, cheesy pierogi, adding a meaty depth and a whisper of smoke that permeates the dish as it cooks slowly throughout the day.
Combining these two ingredients in a casserole is not traditional in the old-world sense, but it’s a brilliant example of culinary evolution taking heritage flavors and adapting them to fit the needs of modern families and busy lives.
The Allure of the Crockpot
One of the biggest selling points of this dish is its set-it-and-forget-it simplicity. In a world where time is often our scarcest resource, the slow cooker emerges as a hero in the kitchen. The crockpot does more than just save time; it transforms ingredients. The low, slow heat coaxes out complex flavors, softens textures, and allows each component to meld seamlessly into the next.
Unlike oven-baked casseroles, which can sometimes dry out or cook unevenly, the crockpot ensures that everything stays moist and perfectly tender. The cream cheese melts slowly into the chicken broth, forming a silky sauce that coats every pierogi, while the shredded cheddar adds that familiar gooey richness that makes comfort food so irresistible.
And let’s not forget how stress-free it is. You can prep everything in the morning, head off to work or go about your day, and come home to a bubbling pot of deliciousness ready to serve.
Flavor, Texture, and Balance
This casserole is more than just pierogi and sausage tossed into a pot. What makes it sing is the careful balance of flavors and textures:
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The cheddar pierogi provide a creamy, soft, slightly tangy base that holds up well under slow cooking.
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The kielbasa introduces a meaty, spiced smokiness that adds depth and savory notes.
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The cream cheese sauce, whisked into warm broth, ties the elements together in a luscious, velvety coating.
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Cheddar cheese on top adds the kind of stretch and chew that we all crave in a baked dish.
Together, these ingredients create something that’s both hearty and indulgent without being heavy or greasy. Every bite is a medley of smooth, chewy, creamy, and meaty. It’s no wonder this recipe is a family favorite across generations.
Why It Resonates with So Many
The popularity of this dish goes beyond taste. It taps into a deep well of nostalgia. Many of us grew up eating pierogi, whether homemade by a grandmother or purchased frozen from the grocery store. Adding kielbasa evokes memories of family dinners, potlucks, and winter nights when the smell of smoked sausage filled the air.
For others, it’s a discovery a gateway to Eastern European flavors without the intimidation of rolling and sealing dough. It’s accessible, familiar yet different, and incredibly satisfying.
Make It Your Own: Variations and Customizations
One of the reasons this casserole has become a staple in so many households is its flexibility. Once you understand the core concept, you can riff on it endlessly:
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Vegetarian Twist: Swap the kielbasa for sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or plant-based sausage. Use veggie broth instead of chicken.
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Spicy Kick: Use a spicy kielbasa or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.
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Add Veggies: Stir in chopped spinach, peas, or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
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Different Cheese: Mix in mozzarella for a stringier texture, smoked gouda for depth, or even a little blue cheese if you’re feeling bold.
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Crunchy Topping: Before serving, sprinkle on some crispy fried onions or crushed butter crackers for contrast.
These small tweaks allow you to tailor the dish to your family’s tastes or change it up so it doesn’t feel repetitive when it becomes part of your regular meal rotation.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is a standalone dish, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be dressed up. Consider serving it with:
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A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness
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Pickled vegetables or sauerkraut to add acidity and brightness
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Steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts for a hearty side
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A rustic loaf of bread to mop up the cheesy sauce
It’s also a great dish to bring to potlucks, share at holiday gatherings, or freeze for future meals. In fact, many home cooks report that the leftovers are even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld.
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you’re planning ahead, the casserole can also be frozen in individual portions for quick and comforting lunches. When reheating, a splash of broth or milk helps loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
Conclusion:
The Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa may not be a recipe passed down from a great-grandmother’s handwritten cookbook, but it certainly feels like it could be. It captures the essence of traditional Eastern European comfort food and repackages it in a way that fits the rhythms of modern life.
It’s budget friendly, crowd pleasing, endlessly adaptable, and perhaps most importantly deeply satisfying. Whether you’re craving something nostalgic, looking for an easy weeknight meal, or want to introduce your family to new flavors, this casserole is a comforting, flavorful answer to the age-old question: “What’s for dinner?”