What Is Peameal Bacon
Peameal Bacon is a cured boneless pork back, rolled in a cornmeal coating. It is sold un-cooked, in a sliced or piece format. The most popular applications are as a breakfast protein a healthy and very tasty alternative to side bacon, or as an add on, on a burger, or the very popular and very Canadian, Peameal on a bun, with lettuce, tomato, cheddar and mayonnaise.
The origins of Peameal Bacon go back to the mid 1800s when the market for pork in the U.K. was lucrative, but shipping fresh pork from Canada was very risky. By adding a salt cure and coating in a ground meal made from yellow peas, it arrived safely. The first purveyors of the product introduced it to consumers here, and the rest is history. The traditional coating has transitioned to cornmeal, but the product can be made without it, if the market demands.
Ingredients For The Pierogy Corn Casserole:
- Pierogies! Theyre the heart of the casserole, and they are what make this a hearty dish. There are a variety of flavors to choose from, but today I opted for Mrs. Ts 4 Cheese Medley.
- The corn. Fresh is best, however, frozen kernels work great here, as well.
- Seasonings: salt, pepper and chili flakes.
- Cheese: optional
How simple is that? If youre feeling fancy, add some fresh thyme, basil pesto, or plenty of cheese to cover the tops of your casserole.
Since my pierogies are already cheesy on the inside, I wont need to add any extra.
Can You Make Chicken And Stuffing Casserole Ahead Of Time
Sure! This chicken and stuffing casserole actually works quite well as a make-ahead dish. Simply assemble the casserole, cover tightly with storage wrap, and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just add 5-10 minutes of cooking time to make sure the cold casserole is heated through.
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How To Make Cheesy Pierogi Casserole
Start by boiling the pierogi in 2 quarts of water for 8 minutes. Dump in a strainer to drain before adding the cheese sauce.
In another pot, add 4 tablespoons of butter and let it melt completely.
Cut open the package of diced ham and add to the pan. Cook for about 1-2 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour and mix everything together.
Pour in 1 cup of whole milk. Bring it to a low simmer to thicken for 3 minutes.
Sprinkle in the shredded cheese and pepper. Stir continuously and cook for 3-4 minutes until all of the cheese has melted and it has thickened up.
Once the sauce is thickened, combine the cooked and drained pierogi with the ham and cheese sauce.
Add to a 9×13 greased baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
How Is It Done
We start with fresh, Canadian pork loins, delivered daily NEVER from frozen. We maintain a traditional process from our 40 year old recipe, which is friendlier to the product. Our Elite® brand peameal delivers traditional peameal flavour and texture, NOT over processed.
Peameal Bacon is traditionally fried, grilled or BBQd. It cooks quickly because it is very lean.
Enjoy!
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~ Mrs T’s Pierogy Kielbasa & Sauerkraut Casserole ~
One doesn’t need Eastern European roots to enjoy pierogi, but, if you are of Eastern European heritage, you grew up knowing they’re much more than a potato-and-cheese stuffed, half-moon shaped dumpling. Pierogi can be stuffed with all sorts of savory or sweet fillings to serve as a snack, side-dish, main-dish or dessert. They can be boiled, baked, sautéed, deep-fried or grilled — some recipes can be transitioned to the microwave or slow-cooker. They can be made ahead and frozen too. About the only thing you can’t do with pierogi is put them in a sandwich.
Pierogi , along with the holubki are a staple in my life Between my maternal great-grandmother, both grandmothers, two great-aunts, four aunts, my mother, the ladies at our church and the ladies at all the other churches, my family was never at a loss for homemade pierogi.
*Ted’s fond memories of pierogi making were no different than mine or pretty much anyone else of Eastern European heritage. My grandmother used to take orders and sell hers by the dozens from the mom and pop grocery store she owned and operated. Everyone does love pierogi.
As my family called it, “Mrs. T’s One-Skillet Casserole”:
2 ounces/1/4 cup/1/2 stick salted butter
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
How To Make Pierogi Casserole Step By Step
Ingredient measurements and full instructions are located in the recipe card below.
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Pierogi Casserole Takes Your Favorite Pierogi And Layers Them With Creamy Ricotta Smoky Kielbasa And Cheddar Cheese A Family Favorite And Great For Potlucks And Parties
Let me start this off by saying I am not Polish and in no way, shape or form am I claiming this recipe is authentic or in fact, Polish. So haters, keep on hating. Everyone else, please enjoy my delicious pierogi casserole!
Can you believe that my first experience with pierogies wasnt until I was an adult? Yep! I can tell you exactly when, actually. My friend Nathalie, who is actually Polish, brought them over for our Friendsgiving celebration.
Here in Maryland, it is actually tradition to have a side of sauerkraut and sausage on Thanksgiving. And in some cases, pierogies.
She doesnt wimp out with Mrs Ts , she heads down to a little, hole-in-the-wall Polish joint where they dont speak in English and points to the pierogies she wants.
She brings them over with freshly cased sausage and fries them up with butter and onions. As I am typing this, Im craving the butter laden meal.
A few years ago I had an epiphany moment to try and make them into a Pierogi Casserole after seeing a similar concept, Ravioli Casserole or Ravioli Lasagna. Somehow I couldnt bring myself to call this dish Pierogi Lasagna since there isnt really a sauce.
To recipe test, I didnt go get the expensive, good pierogies. Instead I used the regular, old frozen ones. Pick your favorite pierogi flavor. I prefer plain old potato pierogies, but hubby likes them with sauerkraut or meat.
You can even use a mix every bite will be a surprise!
Tips From The Pillsbury Kitchens
- tip 1 If preferred, swap in turkey kielbasa and reduced-fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream.
- tip 2 Pierogi are filled dumplings of Eastern European origin, usually filled with potato, meat, cheese or vegetables. This Pierogi Casserole recipe uses frozen pierogies for easy preparation.
- tip 3 Serve your Pierogi Casserole with a simple green salad, topped with tomatoes and your favorite prepared vinaigrette dressing.
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How To Make This Cheesy Pierogy Casserole
Grab a baking dish, and coat it with a non-stick cooking spray. Then add the Mrs. Ts Pierogies to the dish.
Next, add some broccoli florets. I used frozen broccoli, because its so convenient and tastes just as good as fresh in this dish.
In a mixing bowl, mix up the cheesy sauce. Simply combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, vegetable broth, and cheddar cheese. Whisk it all together, and add a bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
Next, pour the cheesy sauce over the pierogies, and toss until the broccoli and pierogies are well coated in the sauce.
Bake the casserole at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
While the casserole is baking, you can go ahead and prepare the breadcrumb topping. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
When the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. Careful it will be hot!
Sprinkle the pierogies with a bit more shredded cheddar cheese and the breadcrumb topping. Return it to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are toasted.
Be careful not to leave it under the broiler too long, as you dont want to burn the breadcrumb topping. Serve the casserole nice and hot for the best flavor!
How To Make Easy Pierogy Corn Casserole
So heres how to make this heart-warming, bright and hearty pierogy corn casserole recipe from scratch.
Start by removing the corn kernels form your fresh corn.
Sauté minced garlic in some butter until fragrant.
Add in the corn kernels and cook over medium heat for a few minutes to infuse the corn with garlic flavor.
Add in the cream and bring to a simmer.
You can now make this recipe into individual servings using individual ramekins like I did above or use a larger oven dish .
Youll start by placing your favorite Mrs. Ts Pierogies at the bottom of the ramekins . The pierogies go in the pan straight form the freezer, no thawing required.
Now, youll be drizzling the creamy corn garlic mixture over the frozen pierogies and covering the pan with foil.
Bake the casserole for 15 minutes and uncover. If you love a charred top, at this point, you can set your oven to broil. Two minutes later and you have a perfectly charred-top pierogy corn casserole!
Finally, to finish the recipe, sprinkle some fresh thyme, basil or parsley, and add another pinch of chili flakes if you like a bit of heat.
And just like that, your pierogy corn casserole is ready!
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Tips For Pierogi Casserole
- You can use any flavor of Mrs. Ts Pierogies that you like. I typically use classic cheddar, but Ive also made this recipe with the classic onion and 4 cheese medley varieties.
- This casserole can be assembled up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Simply store the casserole covered in the fridge, then uncover and bake when youre ready to eat. You may need to add a few more minutes to the baking time to compensate for starting with a cold casserole dish.
- This recipe calls for pre-made Alfredo sauce to add some creaminess to the casserole. I typically use a tub of Alfredo sauce from the refrigerated dairy aisle.
How To Make Pierogi Casserole
Like I said earlier, this recipe is made easy with frozen pierogi. I love this recipe because it is only 5 ingredients, and all of them stay good for a looooooong time. So stock up on these ingredients and have them on hand for when you need a quick and easy dinner, and you have absolutely nothing in the fridge.
All you have to do is layer the ingredients in a baking dish, kind of like lasagna. Start by pouring half the marinara sauce into the dish. Then, arrange the frozen pierogies in the dish, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce. Next, pour the alfredo sauce and parm on top.
Bake for just under an hour, and youll have perfectly cheesy and delicious pierogi casserole!
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I Love These Pierogies
When Mrs. Ts® Pierogies asked me to create a recipe using their new Mini Four Cheese Medley Pierogies, I couldnt have been more excited. Thats because Ive been cooking their pierogies for a long, long time.
In fact, there is almost always a box in my freezer. Its one of our go-to easy dinners I love to simply toast the pierogies and serve them with a little dollop of sour cream. So yummy!
So, I was really excited to find that they have several new varieties available at Publix. Youll find them in the frozen section.
You can now take your pick of options like Mini Four Cheese Medley Pierogies, Loaded Baked Potato Pierogies, and Classic Cheddar Pierogies . You can also purchase here through Publix on Instacart!
Theyre all deliciously stuffed with the stuff we love. And I love that they are so easy and quick to prepare. They can be boiled, baked, sautéed, fried, or even grilled!
And did you know that October 8th is National Pierogy Day? Yes, thats a real thing! And its the perfect time to try out this recipe.
Easy Baked Pierogi Casserole Recipe
This cheesy pierogi casserole will serve give you about eight side dish portions. Its kind of rich, so I like to serve with a lean protein and a green vegetable to balance out the meal. You could also add sliced polish sausage or kielbasa for more of a one dish meal.
This awesome pierogi casserole is a great side dish and perfect for potlucks. You can also add sliced, smoked sausage or kielbasa for a hearty main dish meal.
- 2 boxesfrozen pierogies, thawed
- 1tablespoonbutter
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2cupsour cream
- 1 1/2cupsshredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2cupchicken broth
- 1/8teaspoonblack pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, chicken broth and black pepper.
Spread out pierogies in casserole dish and top with onions. Toss lightly to combine. Spread cheese mixture over top.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
You can quickly thaw pierogies in boiling water. Just add frozen pierogies and cook for about minute or two and drain. They wont be completely thawed at this point but they will finish cooking in the oven.
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Cheesy Baked Pierogy Casserole
This Cheesy Baked Pierogy Casserole makes for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner. Its loaded with Mrs. Ts Mini Four Cheese Medley Pierogies and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a crispy breadcrumb gratin, and baked to golden perfection. And the best part its ready in just 30 minutes!
This post is sponsored by Mrs. Ts® Pierogies. The opinions and text are all mine.
Theres nothing I love more than a warm, cheesy casserole. Talk about comfort food! And the only thing better is one that can be made in under 30 minutes.
This pierogy casserole is so simple to throw together, and only needs a handful of basic ingredients. Its sure to be your new favorite weeknight meal.
Allrecipes Community Tips And Praise
“This is a very tasty dish that is easy to make,” according to Holly DeSantis. “My husband loves comfort food and this recipe hits the mark. I added sautéed mushrooms because I had them In the fridge. But even without them the recipe is delicious. I make this all the time.”
“I love this dish,” raves Katy Walker. “Delicious and extremely easy! I usually serve it with sautéed sugar snap peas to add more veggies. A regular in our home from September to March.”
“Easy and delicious,” says Peggy. “Next time I will double the stuffing and add peas. I especially love how the stuffing gets a slight crunch to it, adding a much needed texture that is often lacking in other casseroles.”
Editorial contributions byCorey Williams
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Why Elite Versus Other Brands
Our Elite brand Peameal Bacon holds the premium position in the category. The Elite Meat Company is a Federally Inspected Establishment # 752. We are HACCP Recognized.
Many competitors use frozen pork backs to start their Peameal process, by tempering, processing and re-freezing for food service. This causes the product to purge and shrink not Elite. Our recipe and process is over 40 years old and has never been altered or compromised for the sake of price competitiveness, yet, Elite brand does compete favourably and equally in price with all Federal competitors. Elite brand Peameal Bacon has the lowest internal moisture levels, . Elite also has the lowest fat and sodium levels, and is certified gluten free, which are important selling features!
How Do You Make Pierogi Casserole
This recipe starts with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, such as frozen pierogies, onions, bacon, Alfredo sauce and cheese. The onions, bacon and pierogies are browned in a skillet along with some garlic, then layered into a casserole dish with the Alfredo sauce. The final step is a generous amount of cheddar cheese. Bake your casserole until golden brown, then dinner is served.
I keep Mrs. Ts pierogies in my freezer because theyre super convenient to keep in stock when Im looking for a quick wholesome meal. I always make sure I have a variety of frozen foods on hand. The freezer aisle at the grocery store contains more than 3,700 food choices, and so many of those items are perfect for dinner time.
Kraft cheese is my go-to choice for a healthy protein option that my family will readily eat and enjoy. Its made with high quality ingredients and there are SO many creative ways to use dairy products to create new and exciting meal options.
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How Do I Make A Pierogi Casserole