There’s something incredibly comforting about mixing hearty flavors with creamy textures, and that’s exactly what this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe delivers. It’s a cozy, satisfying dish that always feels like a warm hug on a plate.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whenever I make this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe, it’s an instant hit at the dinner table. The blend of juicy kielbasa and tender pierogies with a rich, creamy sauce just can’t be beat. I love how it comes together quickly but tastes like you’ve spent hours fussing over it.
- Simple yet hearty: Combines just a handful of ingredients into a filling, crowd-pleasing meal.
- Creamy comfort food: The velvety sauce ties everything together perfectly without being too heavy.
- Easy to prep ahead: Great for busy nights or feeding a family with minimal fuss.
- Customizable: You can swap cheeses or add veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this casserole is in how these simple ingredients come together so beautifully. Each element plays a role — from the smoky kielbasa to the pillowy pierogies, all blanketed in a creamy, cheesy sauce that brings it all together.
- Kielbasa: Its smoky, spiced flavor adds a robust depth that pairs perfectly with mild pierogies.
- Frozen pierogies: These are the star carbs, offering a tender, doughy base that holds all the goodness.
- Cream cheese: Softened and whipped in for that silky texture that elevates the sauce.
- Sour cream: Brings a slight tang that cuts through the richness and keeps it balanced.
- Chicken broth: Lightens the sauce with savory notes, preventing it from becoming too thick.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and that classic melty cheesiness.
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives that stretchy, gooey texture you want on top.
- Seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper): Simple but essential for layering flavor.
- Green onions: Freshness and a mild bite as a final garnish to brighten each serving.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this casserole depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry. It’s so forgiving that you can easily swap cheeses, add veggies, or even kick up the spice level without losing that comforting vibe.
- Vegetable boost: I sometimes add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for extra depth and sweetness.
- Cheese swaps: Feel free to use pepper jack for a little heat or gouda for a smoky twist.
- Make it lighter: Using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream works well if you want a tangy but lighter sauce.
- Spicy kick: Toss in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños if you like a bit of heat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Get everything ready!
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a 9×13 baking dish. Slice the kielbasa about ¼-inch thick — I like them uniform so they cook evenly and look nice in the casserole. Lay the kielbasa slices and frozen pierogies straight into the pan without thawing the pierogies first. It saves time and they cook perfectly in the sauce.
Step 2: Whip up the creamy sauce
In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sour cream with a hand mixer until smooth and silky — no lumps here! Then add the chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and half of both cheeses (cheddar and mozzarella). Whisk it all together until you get a rich, creamy sauce that’s bursting with flavor.
Step 3: Combine and bake
Pour that luscious sauce over the pierogies and kielbasa in the baking dish. Gently stir to coat every piece evenly — no one wants dry pierogies in this dish! Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella on top, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. This gives the pierogies time to steam and soak up the flavors.
Step 4: Brown and bubbly finish
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for about 10 more minutes. You’re looking for a bubbly, golden cheesy top that pulls away slightly at the edges. Take it out and let it rest a few minutes to settle—then sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.
Top Tip
I’ve made this Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks really make it shine. These tips ensure you get melty, evenly cooked pierogies and the perfect creamy texture every time.
- Don’t thaw your pierogies: Keep them frozen to prevent them from getting soggy and falling apart during baking.
- Use softened cream cheese: It blends more smoothly into the sauce, avoiding lumps and ensuring creaminess.
- Cover with foil initially: This traps steam and cooks the pierogies through, so they’re tender inside.
- Finish uncovered: That last bake without foil gives you the golden cheese topping we all crave.
How to Serve Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with fresh green onions for that hint of crunch and color. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream on the side because why not? The tang just brightens each bite beautifully.
Side Dishes
A simple side salad or steamed green beans balance this rich casserole nicely. I also like serving it with roasted veggies or a crunchy cucumber salad to add some fresh textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For special family dinners, I arrange the pierogies in neat rows under the sauce so they peek through the cheese top after baking—it’s a fun visual touch! Serving in individual ramekins also makes it a cozy, personalized meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors even deepen overnight! Just give it a gentle reheat so the sauce stays creamy and the pierogies don’t dry out.
Freezing
I usually freeze this casserole before baking by covering tightly with foil and plastic wrap. When ready to eat, bake it straight from frozen, adding extra time so it heats evenly without drying out. It’s perfect for batch cooking.
Reheating
To reheat, I cover leftovers with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through. Alternatively, the microwave works in a pinch — just stir halfway through to keep the sauce smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You certainly can! Fresh pierogies will bake faster and may require reducing the covered baking time slightly to prevent them from becoming too soft. Keep an eye on them toward the end.
Cream cheese gives the sauce its creamy texture, but you can substitute with ricotta or mascarpone cheese in a pinch. The flavor will be a bit different but still delicious.
Absolutely! Simply skip the kielbasa and add hearty vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. You could also use a vegetarian sausage to keep the smoky flavor.
Be sure to cover the dish with foil for the majority of the baking time — this traps moisture so the pierogies absorb the sauce without drying. Also, don’t overbake during the uncovered phase; just aim for golden bubbly cheese on top.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole Recipe has definitely earned a spot in my regular rotation. It’s a one-pan wonder that feels special but doesn’t stress me out, and the leftovers are just as good — if not better. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll have a new go-to comfort food that friends and family will ask for again and again.
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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
This Baked Kielbasa Pierogi Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring sliced kielbasa sausage and frozen pierogies baked in a creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines savory flavors of sausage with the rich cream cheese and sour cream sauce, topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
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 shredded 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 to prevent sticking.
- Layer Ingredients: Place the 14 ounces of sliced kielbasa sausage and 32 ounces of frozen pierogies evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk together the softened 8-ounce cream cheese and ½ cup sour cream until smooth. Add ½ cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, then whisk again until well combined.
- Combine and Coat: Pour the creamy sauce over the pierogies and kielbasa in the baking dish. Gently mix to coat all the ingredients thoroughly with the sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use smoked kielbasa or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor or to keep it more neutral.
- If fresh green onions are unavailable, chives or parsley make a good alternative garnish.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving; just increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- To make cleaning easier, line the baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil before assembling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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