Description
This Pizza Pierogi Casserole combines the best of two beloved comfort foods—pierogies and pizza—into a hearty, baked dish perfect for family dinners. Tender four cheese pierogies are tossed with spicy Italian sausage and rich spaghetti sauce, layered with pepperoni and gooey mozzarella cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection with your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 (16-oz) packages frozen Four Cheese Medley Pierogies, thawed
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage
- 1 (26-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 40 to 50 slices pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pizza toppings of your choice (sliced olives, mushrooms, green peppers, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the pan aside.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the hot Italian sausage until fully browned and no longer pink inside. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Mix Pierogies and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage and the jar of spaghetti sauce. Add the thawed pierogies and gently toss everything together so the pierogies are fully coated with the sauce and sausage mixture.
- Layer in Baking Pan: Pour the pierogi mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Then, layer half of the pepperoni slices evenly over the top.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni layer. Then add the remaining pepperoni slices followed by your preferred pizza toppings such as olives, mushrooms, and green peppers.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the uncovered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Be sure to thaw the pierogies before mixing to ensure even cooking in the casserole.
- You can substitute mild Italian sausage if you prefer less heat.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your favorite pizza ingredients.
- For a crispier top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
