Tasting like homemade pierogis from scratch, this recipe takes far less time than making individual pierogis. Almost like a potato lasagna, this is made by layering lasagna noodles with mashed potatoes, butter, cottage cheese, and onions. It is then baked in the oven to perfection. Once the casserole is cooked and cooled, serve this dish by itself or with kielbasa slices to make a full meal. It’s a hearty, belly-filling meal your family is sure to love.
All About Pierogi
If you are at all familiar with Eastern European cuisine, you probably know what a pierogi is. They are simply dumplings that are native to that region of the world. In fact, pierogi is the plural of pierog, which literally translates to ‘filled dumpling’.
Pierogi are usually filled with potato, ground meat, cheese, fruits, or sauerkraut. Popular toppings include melted butter, sour cream, and fried onions.
The origin of the pierog varies. Some say it came from China through Italy from Marco Polo’s expeditions.
Others say it had something to do with Saint Hyacinth of Poland. One legend has it that there was a storm that destroyed all crops in one Polish city. Hyacinth asked the people to pray and the crops came back. He was rewarded when the people made him pierogi.
Another legend states that Hyacinth fed the people of Poland pierogi during times of famine. Yet another myth is that pierogi were brought to Poland by the Russian Empire. However, none of these stories are backed by cold, hard facts.
Pierogi are made by creating dough from flour and water. Then, a knife or drinking glass is used to cut the dough into a circular form. The filling is then added, and the dough is folded over. The pierogi is then simmered in water or fried or baked in butter.
What to Serve With This Pierogi Casserole
While some families may elect to have this pierogi casserole on its own, we think it will go great with a good side dish. Adding a side will turn this casserole into a truly complete meal. Here are a few suggestions for sides that pair wonderfully with this recipe.
First, there's nothing wrong with just having some good old dinner rolls. You can either keep it easy on yourself and buy them from the store, or you can try making them yourself. Making dinner rolls isn't as hard as it may sound, but you'll definitely want to give yourself some extra time the first time you make them.
Another option is to serve some steamed vegetables. This option won't be too popular with the kids, but vegetables are an important part of a complete diet. The vegetables you pick are up to you, but we think broccoli could pair nicely with this casserole.
Finally, consider making some sweet potatoes to have on the side. Sweet potatoes are quite healthy, and kids tend to love them because of their sweet taste. So, everyone wins here! Sweet potatoes are quite simple to make, allowing you to focus on this pierogi casserole.
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Pierogi Casserole
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Ingredients
3/4 lb. lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
3/4 cup butter
5 cups cooked mashed potatoes
12 slices cheddar cheese
2 large onions, minced
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook noodles, drain.
2. While noodles are cooking, melt butter and sauté the onions until tender.
3. Place half of the cooked noodles in the bottom of a 13×9 casserole dish.
4. Layer with 6 slices of cheese, all the cooked mashed potatoes, the remaining noodles, then top with remaining 6 slices of cheese.
5. Poke holes through the top layer of cheese; pour butter and onion mixture over top evenly so it goes through the layers.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned. Serves 6.