This Crockpot Pierogi Casserole brings together everything you love about comfort food, tender pierogies, smoky sausage, melted cheese, and a creamy sauce, layered and slow-cooked to perfection. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a cold day, and it’s incredibly easy to throw together. Using frozen pierogies makes prep effortless, while the slow cooker takes care of the work. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for a cozy week, this dump-and-go casserole is hearty, satisfying, and full of rich flavor. Serve it as a main dish or a side, either way, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients
- 2 (16 oz) boxes frozen potato and cheddar pierogies
- 1 lb smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Non-stick cooking spray or butter for greasing the slow cooker
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth. This will form the creamy base that coats and flavors the casserole.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Start with a layer of frozen pierogies at the bottom of the crockpot. Top with half of the sliced kielbasa and a sprinkle of diced onions. Spoon half of the sauce mixture evenly over the layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining pierogies, kielbasa, onions, and sauce.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Cover
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover with the crockpot lid.
Step 5: Cook on Low or High
Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2½–3 hours. The pierogies should be tender, the sausage heated through, and the cheese melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once finished, turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired. Serve warm directly from the slow cooker.
Variations
- Use jalapeño cheddar pierogies for a spicy twist
- Add baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms to the layers for added veggies
- Replace sausage with crumbled cooked bacon or shredded rotisserie chicken
- Swap cream of mushroom for cream of chicken or cream of celery soup
- Mix in a handful of Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese for a gooey texture
Cooking Notes
- Do not thaw the pierogies before layering, they cook best from frozen
- If your slow cooker runs hot, check for doneness at the 4-hour mark on LOW
- You can sauté the onions and kielbasa for extra flavor before adding them
- To prevent overcooking, don’t leave on warm setting too long after finished
- Use a liner or extra butter to avoid sticking and make cleanup easy
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a simple green salad or steamed green beans
- Pair with a bowl of tomato soup or roasted carrots for a complete meal
- Offer sour cream or hot sauce on the side for extra flavor
- Great as a main dish, but also works as a side for pork or chicken entrees
- For potlucks, serve in the crockpot on “warm” with a spoon for self-service
Tips
- Double the batch if using an 8-quart slow cooker for a crowd
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge
- Reheat in the microwave or a 350°F oven until warmed through
- This casserole freezes well before cooking, assemble and freeze, then cook from frozen (add 1 hour to cook time)
- Add breadcrumbs and broil for a crispy topping if transferring to oven
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 4 hours (on LOW)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Yields approximately 6 servings
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 990mg
- Sugar: 4g
Nutritional values may vary depending on brand of ingredients used.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pierogies instead of frozen?
- Yes, but reduce the cook time by about 30–45 minutes since they don’t require as much time to cook through.
Is this casserole spicy?
- Not at all. It’s mild and family-friendly, but you can spice it up by adding red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or spicy sausage.
Can I make this vegetarian?
- Yes! Omit the sausage and add roasted vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
How long will leftovers keep?
- Stored in the fridge, leftovers stay good for 3–4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Can I bake this instead of using the crockpot?
- Yes, layer everything in a greased baking dish and bake at 375°F for about 35–40 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Conclusion
Crockpot Pierogi Casserole is one of those no-fail, stick-to-your-ribs meals that you’ll keep coming back to during busy weeks, chilly nights, or lazy weekends. It combines convenience with indulgence and works beautifully for everything from a casual family dinner to a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. The creamy sauce coats every bite of soft pierogi and savory sausage, while melted cheese brings it all together in comfort food perfection. The best part? Minimal prep and maximum flavor. Make it once and it’s guaranteed to land a permanent spot on your meal rotation.