🥔🧀 Easy Crockpot Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa: The Simple Weeknight Dinner Fix

Life gets busy. I know mine does. Sometimes you just need a hearty, warm hug in a bowl, but you don’t have hours to stand over the stove. That’s exactly why this crockpot pierogi casserole with kielbasa recipe is a total lifesaver. It takes all the creamy, potato-and-cheese goodness of traditional pierogi and mixes it with smoky, savory kielbasa sausage in the easiest way possible.

If you are looking for simple comfort food, this is it. We are talking about five minutes of prep time. Seriously! The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. You can set it in the morning and come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner. It’s perfect for cold weather or when you just want a low-effort, high-flavor meal. I think you will agree this recipe is a keeper for your dinner rotation.

🤩 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Feature	Reason
Minimal Prep	You just layer the ingredients and the crockpot does the rest. Almost no chopping required!
Pure Comfort Food	Creamy potatoes, melted cheese, and smoky kielbasa. It’s satisfying and familiar.
Crowd-Pleaser	Everyone loves pierogies! This is a simple dish that feeds a whole family easily.
Simple Ingredients	You likely have most of these casserole ingredients in your kitchen already.

🍽️ Ingredients for Crockpot Pierogi Casserole

This recipe uses a bag of frozen pierogi for maximum ease. We are skipping the dough-making entirely!

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Frozen Pierogi	1 (16-ounce) bag	Use the potato and cheddar variety. Don’t thaw them first!
Smoked Kielbasa	1 pound	Cut into 1/2-inch slices. Polish sausage works great too.
Cream of Chicken Soup	1 (10.5-ounce) can	Or use Cream of Mushroom soup if you prefer.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese	1 1/2 cups	Medium or sharp cheddar cheese is best for flavor.
Sour Cream	1/2 cup	Added near the end for creamy richness.
Butter	2 tablespoons	Melted.
Onion	1 medium	Diced. This adds flavor to the sausage.
Chicken Broth	1/2 cup	Low sodium. Helps keep things moist.
Salt and Black Pepper	To taste	Start with 1/2 teaspoon of each.
Fresh Parsley	2 tablespoons	Chopped for garnish (optional).

⏲️ Time and Servings

This is the beauty of slow cooking. You need very little hands-on time.

Category	Details
Prep Time	About 10 minutes
Cook Time (Low)	3 to 4 hours
Cook Time (High)	1.5 to 2 hours
Total Time	Varies by setting
Servings	6 to 8

🔪 Detailed and Easy-to-Understand Step-by-Step Guide

The whole process is simple layering and cooking. We don’t want to break those frozen pierogies!

Step 1: Prep the Meat and Onion

1. Cut the Sausage: Take your kielbasa and slice it into half-inch thick pieces.
2. Chop the Onion: Dice your onion into small pieces.
3. Quick Sauté (Recommended): In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the sliced kielbasa and diced onion. Cook them over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. This step makes the sausage pieces a little crispy and softens the onion. This step is not mandatory, but trust me, it tastes better!

Step 2: Layer the Casserole

1. Grease the Crockpot: Spray the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray. This makes cleanup much easier later.
2. Add Liquid Base: Pour the chicken broth and the can of cream of chicken soup into the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir them quickly to mix. This base prevents sticking and starts the cooking process.
3. First Layer: Gently place half of the frozen pierogi on top of the liquid mixture. Try to spread them out evenly.
4. Add Savory Filling: Spoon half of the sausage and onion mixture over the pierogi layer.
5. Cheese Time: Sprinkle about half a cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the kielbasa layer.
6. Second Layer: Repeat the layering process. Add the rest of the pierogi, then the rest of the sausage and onion mix.
7. Seasoning: Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Remember that the kielbasa is already salty.

Step 3: Cook and Finish

1. Set the Cooker: Cover your crockpot with the lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 1.5 to 2 hours.
2. Check for Doneness: The pierogies are done when they are soft all the way through and the sauce is bubbling hot. If they still feel hard in the middle, give it a little more time.
3. Add Cream and Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the sour cream. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Put the lid back on for those final 15 minutes to let the cheese melt and get beautifully gooey.
4. Serve: Turn the slow cooker off. Let the casserole sit for a few minutes to cool down slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if you want a little pop of color and flavor!

🌿 Secret Ingredient and Extra Tips

The secret ingredient in this cozy casserole is a pinch of Smoked Paprika sprinkled in with the salt and pepper in Step 2. The kielbasa is smoky already. But the smoked paprika just boosts that deep, comforting flavor. It makes the whole dish feel richer and more authentic.

Wait till you see the secret ingredient for extra tip to make the recipe perfect

“Don’t skip the storage trick — it’s at the end of the post”

Extra Tips to Make the Recipe Perfect ✨

• Don’t Overcrowd: Use a 6-quart crockpot for this recipe. If your slow cooker is too small, the ingredients will be squished. The pierogies need a little space to cook evenly.
• Handle Gently: When stirring in the sour cream, stir very gently. Pierogies are delicate when cooked. We want to keep them whole.
• The Cheese: Use a block of cheddar cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking stuff on it. This makes it melt less smoothly in the slow cooker. Perhaps that makes a small difference, but I think it helps with the creaminess.

🥄 Kitchen Tools Needed

Since this is a simple slow cooker recipe, you don’t need much!

• 6-Quart Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board
• Large Skillet (for the optional sauté step)
• Spoon or Spatula (for stirring)

🍎 Health Benefits (Small Ones!)

We are calling this comfort food first. But it does offer a few good things:

• Protein Power: The kielbasa sausage provides a good source of protein. This helps keep you feeling full and gives you energy.
• Potassium: Potatoes inside the pierogi contain potassium, which is good for heart health.
• Vegetable Inclusion: The onion is a simple vegetable that adds flavor and some vitamins.

🗒️ Recipe Notes

Area	Quick Tip	Why it Matters
Pierogi Type	Use Potato and Cheddar or Potato and Onion.	These flavors blend best with the kielbasa and creamy sauce.
Sausage	Pre-cooking the sausage and onion is worth the extra 5 minutes.	It develops a much deeper flavor and texture for the casserole.
Sour Cream	Add the sour cream at the very end.	If you cook the sour cream for too long, it can sometimes curdle. We want it smooth!
Salt Check	Taste the sauce before adding much salt.	Kielbasa and cream of soup are already quite salty. You probably won’t need much.

🥗 Serving Suggestions

This casserole is heavy and rich. You will want something light and fresh to go with it.

• Green Salad: A simple side salad with crisp lettuce, a few tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette is perfect. It cuts the richness.
• Vegetable: Some steamed or roasted broccoli or green beans add a nice crunch.
• Bread: Simple crusty bread for soaking up the creamy sauce is never a bad idea.
• Drink: A crisp, cold ginger ale or perhaps a light beer for the adults.

🧊 Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers of this amazing crockpot pierogi casserole, storing them is easy.

• Storage: Let the casserole cool completely first. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Freezing: Freezing is possible, but the pierogies might get a little mushy when thawed. If you must freeze, place in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about 2 months.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat is in the oven. Put the serving in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil and bake at $350^{\circ} \text{F}$ ($175^{\circ} \text{C}$) for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use the microwave, but the oven keeps the texture nicer.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Cooking on High for Too Long: High heat for an extended time can make the pierogies break apart or make the sauce watery. Stick to the low setting if possible for the best results.
• Thawing the Pierogi: Do not thaw the frozen pierogies! They need to go into the crockpot frozen. Thawing them makes them too soft and they will turn into mush while cooking.
• Not Greasing the Crockpot: This mixture is very cheesy and starchy. If you skip the non-stick spray, you will have a real mess to clean up later.
• Stirring Too Much: Only stir the contents gently when adding the sour cream and cheese at the end. Too much stirring will break the delicate potato dumplings.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use different types of sausage?

Yes, you sure can! Smoked sausage is key here. You could use smoked turkey sausage or even a spicy andouille sausage if you like some heat. Just make sure it is fully cooked smoked meat.

Q2: What if I can’t find cheddar pierogies?

No problem at all! Use any frozen pierogi you like. Potato and onion or even sauerkraut pierogi would be a fun twist in this slow cooker casserole.

Q3: Why do I add the sour cream at the end?

Adding sour cream at the end prevents it from separating or curdling during the long cooking process. It keeps the sauce super creamy and smooth. We just need it to warm up gently.

Q4: Can I add vegetables to this crockpot recipe?

Absolutely! Sliced mushrooms or bell peppers would be a great addition. Add them at the same time you add the kielbasa and onion in Step 2. They will soften nicely in the slow cooker.

Q5: Can I make this with less cheese?

Sure! You can cut the amount of cheddar cheese in half if you want to reduce the richness. The recipe will still be delicious and creamy because of the soup and sour cream.

💖 Final Thoughts

This crockpot pierogi casserole with kielbasa is the perfect example of how simple cooking can be the most comforting. It’s all about layering flavor: the smoky sausage, the creamy potato dumplings, and the tangy sour cream. It’s a wonderful, simple dish that brings big smiles to the dinner table. Try it on a chilly night when you want a warm meal with almost zero effort. I hope you and your family enjoy this simple, delicious casserole recipe as much as we do!