There’s something wonderfully comforting about layers of tender pierogies, savory kielbasa, and creamy cheese all baked together into one warm, delicious dish. The Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe is a game-changer for easy weeknight dinners or cozy weekends at home.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I baked this casserole – the aroma alone made the whole house feel like a hug. It’s a perfect blend of flavorful kielbasa, creamy sauces, and crispy cheese toppings, all in one dish. Plus, it’s incredibly straightforward to put together!
- Savory and Satisfying: The smoky kielbasa works perfectly with the soft pierogies to create a hearty, filling meal.
- Simple Prep: Minimal chopping and one baking dish – fewer dishes, less fuss!
- Comfort Food Magic: Cream cheese and sour cream make the sauce luscious without being heavy.
- Great for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe plays a crucial role to balance flavors and textures. When you combine the smoky kielbasa with soft pierogies and a creamy, cheesy sauce, you get layers of flavor that complement each other beautifully. Let me break down why each one is a must-have.
- Sliced Kielbasa: Look for quality smoked kielbasa with a firm texture and rich flavor – it’s the star protein here.
- Frozen Pierogies: These save so much time and have a tender potato and cheese filling that pairs perfectly with kielbasa.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to creamy perfection, it adds richness and helps thicken the sauce.
- Sour Cream: Adds a bit of tang and silky smoothness to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Keeps the sauce pourable and infuses subtle savory depth.
- Onion & Garlic Powder: These spices enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for balancing and bringing out the natural flavors.
- Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: A duo for melty, gooey, bubbly topping – cheddar brings sharpness, mozzarella adds that stretch.
- Sliced Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a mild onion crunch and pops of color.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this baked kielbasa pierogi casserole recipe is how you can tweak it to suit your mood or pantry. I love adding a little heat or swapping cheeses depending on what I have on hand.
- Add Some Heat: I sometimes mix in diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to give it a nice spicy kick that contrasts the creamy sauce.
- Cheese Swaps: Feel free to experiment with pepper jack for spice or smoked gouda for a different smoky vibe; the casserole still bakes beautifully.
- Vegetable Boost: Sometimes adding sautéed onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers adds nice texture and flavor complexity.
- Make it Lighter: You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to lighten the sauce without losing tang.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Assemble the Base Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F – this temp is perfect to cook everything evenly without drying it out. Then, spray your 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray so nothing sticks (trust me, it helps for easy cleanup). Layer the sliced kielbasa and frozen pierogies evenly on the bottom. I like to spread them out a bit to avoid clumping, which helps them bake through evenly.
Step 2: Whisk the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, soften up the cream cheese first so it blends smoothly. I usually let it sit at room temp or zap it in the microwave for 15 seconds. Then, mix it with sour cream until you get a silky texture. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and fold in your seasonings – onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper – and half the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Whisk it all till it’s uniform; this sauce will soak nicely into the pierogies and kielbasa.
Step 3: Combine and Bake
Pour the creamy sauce over the pierogies and kielbasa in the baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to gently toss and coat everything evenly – don’t worry if some sauce pools at the bottom, it’ll absorb while baking. Then sprinkle the rest of your shredded cheddar and mozzarella on top for that irresistible gooey, golden crust. Cover the dish tightly with foil – this traps steam to cook the pierogies through. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Finish and Garnish
After 30 minutes, take off the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes so the cheese browns and bubbles beautifully. Once out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes – this helps the sauce thicken up slightly so it’s not too runny. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a fresh, bright finish that cuts through the richness.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, I’ve learned a few things that make this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe come out consistently fantastic every time.
- Room Temperature Dairy: Softening the cream cheese and sour cream before mixing helps your sauce come out super smooth without lumps.
- Even Layering: Spreading out pierogies and sausage helps heat circulate so everything cooks evenly — don’t overcrowd your dish!
- Foil Covering: Baking covered retains moisture so your pierogies don’t dry out; removing foil at the end ensures a bubbly, golden top.
- Rest Before Serving: Give the casserole a few minutes after baking to firm up the sauce and make serving cleaner and easier.
How to Serve Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always top this casserole with fresh sliced green onions – the mild onion flavor and crunch add the perfect finishing touch. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream on the side for extra creaminess and a little fresh parsley for color.
Side Dishes
This casserole is so filling, but a crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully. Roasted or steamed veggies, like asparagus or green beans, also pair wonderfully for a complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to bake individual portions in small ramekins topped with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of paprika for color. It makes the dish feel a little fancy but keeps that comforting, homey vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover baked kielbasa pierogi casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before reheating, it’s best to let it come to room temperature so it heats evenly.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well! Just bake it as usual, cool completely, then cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven.
Reheating
I find reheating in the oven at 350°F keeps the cheese bubbly and doesn’t dry the pierogies out like microwaving can. Cover loosely with foil for the first 10 minutes to retain moisture, then remove foil to crisp the top again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you have fresh pierogies, you can use them – just reduce the covered baking time by about 5 to 10 minutes since fresh ones cook faster than frozen.
Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to a day before baking. Just cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated, then bake it fresh when you’re ready.
A dollop of sour cream is classic and complements the richness perfectly. You could also serve it with a tangy mustard sauce or a mild horseradish cream for a little zing.
You can make a vegetarian version by swapping kielbasa for smoked or seasoned mushrooms, or a plant-based sausage alternative. Just adjust seasoning accordingly for the best flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort dishes – warm, cheesy, smoky, and simple. It’s one of those recipes you can make with minimal effort that feels like a real treat. I’m confident you’ll find it just as satisfying and easy to customize as I do. So next time you want a crowd-pleaser or just a cozy dinner, give this casserole a whirl – your kitchen will thank you!
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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
A hearty and comforting baked casserole combining sliced kielbasa sausage and tender pierogies in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and garnished with fresh green onions. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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 mozzarella cheese, divided
Garnish
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange Kielbasa and Pierogies: Place the sliced kielbasa sausage and frozen pierogies in the prepared baking dish evenly.
- Mix Sauce: In a bowl, using a hand mixer, whisk together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Whisk until well combined.
- Combine and Coat: Pour the sauce over the pierogies and kielbasa, mixing gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- Using frozen pierogies directly helps save prep time without thawing.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a milder flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add some crushed red pepper or smoked paprika to the sauce.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pierogies and check kielbasa ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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