Ella Walter
There are many ways to cook frozen pierogies in a crock pot, and it is a simple and effective way to cook for a large group of people. The dish is hearty and delicious and can be served as a main or a side. The pierogies can be cooked with butter and onions, or with chicken broth, cheese, and kielbasa. The crock pot should be between 4 and 6 quarts, and the dish should be cooked on low for 3-4 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crockpot size | 4-6 quart |
| Ingredients | Frozen pierogies, butter, onions, chicken broth, cream cheese, salt, pepper, toppings of choice |
| Toppings | Fresh parsley, green onions, bacon bits, sour cream, applesauce, cheddar cheese, taco seasoning, jalapeños, Greek yogurt, cream cheese blends |
| Cook time | 3-4 hours on high or 6 hours on low |
| Prep work | Minimal |
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What You'll Learn
Sauté onions and butter
To sauté onions and butter, you'll first want to peel and cut your onions. It's recommended to cut them into thin slices and separate the slices into rings, but you can also cut them into wedges or chop them. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, are preferable, but any kind of onion will work.
Next, heat butter or oil in a large skillet or pan over medium to medium-high heat. Use about 1 tablespoon of fat per small to medium onion. If you want to sauté onions without oil, use a nonstick pan and add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to prevent the onions from sticking.
Once the butter or oil is hot, add the onions. Cook for 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. For sweeter onions, cook them a little longer until the edges begin to brown.
Finally, add salt and pepper to taste, and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions are done when they are tender and golden brown.
You can now add your sautéed onions and butter to your crockpot with the frozen pierogies. Place the frozen pierogies in the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours. You can then top with fresh parsley, green onions, or cooked and crumbled bacon bits, as well as sour cream, applesauce, or cheddar cheese.
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Add chicken broth
Chicken broth is an essential ingredient in crockpot pierogi casserole. It adds a savoury base to the dish, enhancing the overall flavour. You can substitute it with vegetable or beef broth, but chicken broth is preferable.
To prepare the dish, first, add three cups of chicken broth to your crockpot. Then, layer the remaining ingredients: frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, and cheddar cheese. This layering ensures that each pierogi soaks up the flavours of the broth and sausage as they cook.
After cooking the casserole, you'll prepare a cream cheese mixture. About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, warm the cream cheese with the remaining cup of chicken broth. You can use a microwave or stovetop for this step. Whisk the mixture until it's smooth and creamy.
Finally, assemble the dish by pouring the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot and stirring to combine. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover, and cook on low for another 30 minutes. This final step ensures that the cheese melts and the flavours meld together.
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Layer with kielbasa
To cook frozen pierogies with kielbasa in a crock pot, you will need a 4-6 quart crockpot, 3 cups of chicken broth, frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Begin by adding the chicken broth to the crockpot. Then, layer the frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, and cheddar cheese on top. This layering allows each pierogi to absorb the flavours of the broth and sausage as they cook. You can also add sliced onions to the layering for a subtle sweetness. Dot the pierogies with butter pieces.
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the pierogies are tender and the kielbasa is fully heated through. If you are short on time, you can cook the ingredients on high for 3-4 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, prepare the cream cheese mixture. Warm the cream cheese with the remaining cup of chicken broth in the microwave or on the stovetop. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Stir the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top, then cover and cook on low for another 30 minutes.
Finally, stir the contents of the crockpot gently to combine the ingredients before serving. You can garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh crunch and colour, or fresh parsley or dill.
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Top with cheese
To cook frozen pierogies in a crock pot and top them with cheese, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare any additional ingredients you would like to include. For example, you could thinly slice some onions and sauté them in butter, or cook and crumble some bacon bits. You could also add sliced kielbasa or another cooked sausage of your choice.
Next, layer your ingredients in the crockpot. Start by adding three cups of chicken broth, then add your frozen pierogies, any additional ingredients, and shredded cheddar cheese on top. This layering ensures that each pierogi absorbs the flavours of the broth and other ingredients as they cook.
Set your crockpot to cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavours to meld together.
About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, prepare a cream cheese mixture. Warm a block of cream cheese with one cup of chicken broth in the microwave or on the stovetop until it can be whisked into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Stir the cream cheese mixture into the crockpot, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the flavours to integrate.
Finally, serve your cheesy crockpot pierogies! You can garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh pop of colour and crunch, or try other toppings such as sour cream, applesauce, or jalapeños.
Enjoy your delicious and hearty crockpot pierogi casserole!
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Reheat leftovers
If you have any leftovers of crockpot pierogi, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to five days. You can also freeze them in freezer-safe containers and they will keep for up to two months.
To reheat the leftovers, you can use a stovetop, microwave, or frying pan. If using a microwave, add a little vegetarian or chicken broth to keep it moist. You can also add different vegetables to make a meal. For instance, you can cut the leftover pierogies into pieces and fry them in a pan with butter, onions, and diced red pepper. Then, add sausage pieces to heat through and serve with sour cream and fresh dill on top.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the frozen pierogies in a crock pot with butter and sliced onions. You can also add chicken broth, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced kielbasa. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
A 4-6 quart crock pot is ideal for cooking frozen pierogies.
Try fresh parsley, green onions, sour cream, applesauce, or bacon bits. For a spicy kick, add jalapeños or taco seasoning.
Yes, you can use homemade pierogies. Simply prep them ahead of time and follow the same cooking instructions.
Crock pot pierogies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
