Crock Pot Pierogi Kielbasa (Printable Version)

Slow-cooked comfort dish with pierogi, kielbasa, and creamy cheese sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup sour cream
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, cubed
05 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Pasta

06 - 2 lbs frozen potato and cheese pierogi

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

# How To Make:

01 - Coat the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick spray or a small amount of butter to prevent sticking.
02 - Arrange half the frozen pierogi in the bottom of the slow cooker, then top with half of the sliced kielbasa and half of the sliced onions.
03 - Repeat with the remaining pierogi, kielbasa, and onions to create a second complete layer.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, melted butter, cream cheese, garlic, black pepper, salt, and smoked paprika until completely smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the creamy mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the slow cooker, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese across the top.
06 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours, or until the pierogi are tender and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
07 - Sprinkle fresh chopped chives over the top before serving, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slow cooker transforms frozen pierogi into something that tastes like hours were spent at the stove
  • Everything cooks in one pot leaving almost zero cleanup which I appreciate after a long workday
  • The creamy sauce gets into every crevice while the cheese on top forms this incredible golden crust
02 -
  • Do not lift the lid during the first 3 hours because every time you do you add 20 minutes to the cooking time
  • The edges will cook faster than the center so stir gently once halfway through if your slow cooker runs hot
  • Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving because the sauce needs time to thicken up slightly
03 -
  • Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking spray even if it is nonstick because the cheese creates a stubborn sticky layer
  • Layer the ingredients in the order listed because the sauce needs to reach the bottom pierogi for even cooking

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