Dump frozen potato pierogies in the baking dish and 4 other simple ingredients to get a comfort meal so mouthwatering, your grandkids will be begging for more!

This 5-ingredient oven baked pierogi casserole is the kind of weeknight comfort food that feels like it simmered all afternoon, but really comes together with a few pantry staples and a bag of frozen potato pierogies. Pierogies have roots in Eastern European home cooking, where they’re typically boiled or pan-fried; here, we lean into a Midwestern-style baked casserole, letting a simple creamy sauce, cheese, and a touch of onion bake right into the dumplings. Everything is literally dumped into one baking dish—no pre-boiling, no separate pans—so you can slide it into the oven and let it turn golden and bubbly while you set the table or wrangle grandkids.

Serve this pierogi casserole straight from the baking dish with a crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness, or simple steamed green beans tossed with a little butter and salt. A side of roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts works nicely, too. If you want to lean into the comfort-food angle, add warm buttered rye bread or dinner rolls to soak up the extra creamy sauce, and offer a small bowl of sour cream and chopped fresh chives at the table for those who like an extra cool, tangy topping.

Servings: 6

1 (2-pound) bag frozen potato pierogies (about 24 pierogies, unthawed)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with a bit of butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Scatter the frozen potato pierogies in an even layer in the baking dish. There’s no need to thaw or pre-boil them; they’ll cook through in the oven.

Spread the thinly sliced onion evenly over and around the pierogies, tucking some slices in between so the flavor infuses the whole casserole.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and condensed cream of mushroom soup until you have a smooth, thick, pourable mixture.

Pour the creamy mixture evenly over the frozen pierogies and onions, making sure everything is surrounded by the sauce. It should look like the pierogies are nestled in a thick, creamy liquid.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, covering as much of the surface as you can for a bubbly, golden crust.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is hot and the pierogies are starting to soften.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, lightly browned, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. A knife inserted into a pierogi should slide in easily, indicating they are fully heated through.

Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This brief rest helps the sauce thicken slightly so it’s creamy but not runny when you scoop it out.

You can easily tailor this casserole to your family’s tastes while keeping the 5-ingredient spirit. For a smokier, heartier version, swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery, and use a smoked cheddar or a mild gouda in place of some of the cheddar. If you like a little onion sweetness but want a gentler flavor, use a sweet onion instead of yellow. For extra richness, dot the top with a tablespoon or two of butter before baking. If you prefer a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the cheese to 1 1/2 cups. To add a bit of color and a fresh note without changing the base ingredients, garnish the finished casserole with chopped fresh parsley or chives. For a more complete one-pan meal, you can tuck in a cup of thawed frozen peas or a handful of baby spinach around the pierogies before pouring on the sauce, but note this technically adds another ingredient. Food safety tips: Always bake the casserole until it is piping hot in the center; the sauce should be bubbling and the internal temperature of the pierogies should reach at least 165°F (74°C) if checked with a food thermometer. Keep the frozen pierogies in the freezer until you’re ready to assemble to prevent them from thawing and sticking together. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of baking, and reheat in the oven or microwave until steaming hot before serving again. Discard any leftovers that have been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.