Lazy Pierogi Casserole

I was raised on comfort food, and Pierogies was something my mom would make every once in a blue moon. When I got married I’d buy the frozen ones from the grocery store, but found them stingy on the filling and lacking in flavour. This easy pierogi casserole version is full of flavour and requires none of the rolling and pinching of traditional perogies.

Comfort food recipes like this chicken and spinach manicotti and cauliflower and cheese soup, along with this perogy casserole are made on rotation at my house!

What is Lazy Pierogi Casserole

Lazy Pierogi Casserole is a baked dish that has all the classic flavours of traditional pierogi but without all the rolling, filling, and pinching. Instead of homemade dough, lasagna noodles are layered with homemade mashed potatoes (perfect way to use up leftover mashed potatoes!), cottage cheese, sharp cheddar, and plenty of buttery onions, then baked until warm and bubbly. It’s an easy, family-friendly casserole that has the comfort food appeal of the original version in a simple, casserole form.

Ingredients You Will Need

• lasagna noodles – use the classic noodles
• cottage cheese
• egg
• cheddar cheese – freshly shredded is best
• mashed potatoes
• onion salt, salt and pepper
• chopped onion
• butter or margarine

How to Make Lazy Perogy Casserole

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions and drain. Line bottom of a 9 by 13 baking dish with a layer of cooked noodles. Mix cottage cheese, egg and 1/4 teaspoon onion salt in a mixing bowl. Spread mixture evenly over the layer of noodles.

Arrange a second layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the cottage cheese mixture. In the same mixing bowl used for cottage cheese, mix the mashed potatoes, shredded cheese and final 1/4 teaspoon of onion salt. Carefully spread over the layer of noodles.

Melt butter in frying pan, reduce heat and slowly cook chopped onions just until translucent. Add a final layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the potato cheese mixture; pour butter and onion mixture over top of noodles to cover. Sprinkle with a bit of cheddar cheese.

Tips from the Red Cottage Kitchen

• use homemade mashed potatoes (leftovers are great to use up)
• avoid pre-shredded cheese as these are coated to help prevent clumping
• use sharp or old cheddar for the most flavour, but by all means use whatever cheddar you have on hand
• don’t use oven-ready lasagna noodles, instead use traditional noodles that have been cooked and drained
• let it rest before slicing for nice, clean, even slices

How to Serve

This hearty pierogi casserole is perfect served with a bit of sour cream or sprinkle with a bit of crispy bacon bits. Pair it with a simple salad or serve it all on its’ own. It also makes a great breakfast!

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350 degree fahrenheit oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until heated through.

This casserole is the kind of cozy comfort food that feels right at home on a busy weeknight or at a family gathering, just like my easy Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese. It’s these easy, hearty recipes that I tend to make on repeat! Serve it warm, add a generous spoonful of sour cream, and enjoy a little comfort without all the work.