Pierogi Casserole

Tweet

I first heard about this recipe while searching for ways to use up left over lasagna noodles and potatoes.  Who knew just by typing those two ingredients into Google that it would produce recipes like this one?  Technology is a wonderful thing...isn't it? 

This is a spin off of those popular little dumplings called Pierogies.  

What is a Pierogi?

They are almost like ravioli, except they can be filled with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit.  

It is a delicacy in the Northern part of the U.S.  We certainly cannot find them down here in the dirty South.  Or it could be that I just miss them when I go grocery shopping.  

Which, let's face it, is possible when you have two little kids who are screaming at the top of their lungs that they want Popsicles as soon as you hit the freezer aisle.  So yes, I may have overlooked the pierogis.  

Which means I probably will have to try my hand at making them one of these days.  Now that should make for an interesting blog post ;)  

Until that day comes, this casserole will just have to do.

It's very simple to make. As a matter of fact, it resembles the layering process of lasagna.  

....some mashed potatoes, green onions, cheddar cheese, and bacon all layered in between lasagna noodles...

....what's not to love about this dish? 

Oh...I also added some Tony Chachere's to the recipe....just to put a little Southern spin on things.  If you don't have that, sprinkle on some Emeril seasoning.  If you don't have Emeril's, use Season All.  

We also had some French Fried Onions left over from previous meals, so I threw those in there too.  Just for good measure.  

Check back later.  

I may have a tutorial on how to make some real pierogies :)  

Pierogi Casserole

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

9 lasagna noodles, cooked

4 cups hot mashed potatoes

3/4 cup herb and garlic cream cheese 

6 green onions, sliced

1 cup of crumbled and cooked bacon 

2-3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp. of seasoning -Optional (Season All, Emeril's, or Tony Chachere's) 

1/2 to 1 cup of crushed French Fried Onions

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  In a big bowl, combine mashed potatoes, herb and garlic cream cheese, green onions, 1/2 cup bacon, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and seasoning.

3.  Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray and lay 3 noodles on top.

4.  Cover noodles with a 1/3 of the potato mixture.  

5.  Layer 3 noodles on top of the potato mixture.  Repeat the layers twice...ending with the mashed potatoes.

6.  Top the potatoes with the French Fried Onions, rest of the bacon, and the rest of the cheese.

7.  Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

8.  Serve with sour cream if desired. 

Libby's Notes:  This recipe really does make 3 layers.  For photographic reasons, I placed two (3 layered) pieces on top of one another. 

Recipe Source:  Tweaked from Allrecipes.com-Click HERE for the original recipe