Andy Montoya
Pierogies, or pierogi, are delicious dumplings that can be served in a variety of ways. They are typically filled with mashed potato, fried onions, spinach, mushrooms, meat, or bacon, and can be enjoyed as a snack or a meal. When it comes to serving cheese pierogies, there are several options to consider. For a savoury dish, sour cream, gravy, mustard, and salsa are all popular choices. Caramelised onions, sausages, and bacon are also classic toppings that complement the cheese filling well. For a sweeter take on cheese pierogies, consider sprinkling cinnamon sugar on top or serving them with a fruit compote, maple syrup, honey, or ice cream. The versatility of pierogies allows for a range of creative combinations to suit any palate.
How to serve cheese perogies
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sauces | Sour cream, cheese sauce, mushroom sauce, gravy, mustard, salsa, dill sauce, ranch sauce |
| Toppings | Bacon, sausage, caramelized onions, fried onions, scallions, breadcrumbs, sugar, chives, dill, parsley, garlic |
| Sides | Vegetable soup, beetroot pasta, ratatouille, coleslaw, sauerkraut, cavolo nero with lemon and garlic, pea and asparagus orzo, broccoli, salad, kielbasa sandwich, chicken salad, gammon |
| Cooking methods | Steam, bake, grill, fry, sauté |
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What You'll Learn
Toppings and sauces
Cheese perogies are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings and sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some ideas for toppings and sauces to take your cheese perogies to the next level:
Savoury Toppings and Sauces
- Sour cream is a classic and traditional topping for perogies. It can be served on its own or with other toppings like dill, chives, or bacon.
- Sauteed onions, especially caramelised onions, add a sweet and savoury flavour to the perogies.
- Bacon bits or crisps are a popular choice for perogies, adding a salty and smoky flavour.
- Sausages, especially smoked sausages like kielbasa, are a classic option that pairs well with the creamy taste of cheese perogies.
- Gravy, especially a butter and cream gravy, can add richness and moisture to the dish.
- Mustard and horseradish sauce can take potato perogies to the next level with their zesty flavour.
- Fried greens, such as asparagus or cavolo nero, can add a crunchy texture and a healthy boost of vegetables to the dish.
- Mushrooms can be served as a topping or sauce, and pair well with the cheese filling.
- Cheese! Adding extra cheese on top of your cheese perogies can make them extra indulgent. Try shredded cheddar, parmesan, or goat cheese.
Sweet Toppings and Sauces
- Fruit compotes, such as apple, cherry, or blueberry, add a delightful contrast of flavours to the perogies.
- Cinnamon sugar sprinkled on fruit-filled perogies is a comforting and sweet treat.
- Homemade fruit sauces, like apple sauce, can be drizzled over the perogies for a fresh and vibrant layer of flavour.
- Whipped cream or ice cream can turn your perogies into a indulgent dessert, especially when paired with fruit-filled perogies.
- Syrups, such as maple syrup or honey, can be drizzled over the perogies for an extra sweet touch.
- Chocolate and caramel sauces are perfect for those with a sweet tooth, creating a unique dessert experience.
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Meat and vegetarian sides
Meat sides are a great way to complement cheese perogies. A classic option is sausages, especially smoked sausages, such as kielbasa. Kielbasa sandwiches, in particular, make a great snack or side dish. Other sausage options include bratwurst and steak. For a heartier meal, consider pairing cheese perogies with a chicken dish, such as baked chicken with cream of chicken soup, or a chicken salad. If you're feeling adventurous, try stuffed salmon or slow-cooked gammon.
Vegetarian sides also go well with cheese perogies. Vegetables are a versatile option, whether they're cooked into the perogies or served as a side dish. Some specific vegetable side dishes that pair well with cheese perogies include pea and asparagus orzo, cavolo nero with lemon and garlic, ratatouille, and beetroot pasta. Fried greens and vegetable soup are also tasty options. For a creamy texture, serve your perogies with a mushroom sauce or topping, or try a cheese sauce. Perogies can also be served with a simple dollop of sour cream, or, for something sweeter, buttered breadcrumbs.
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Sweet pierogi
To make sweet pierogi with cheese, start by making the dough. Stir flour with salt in a medium or large bowl. Warm some water with butter or oil in a small pot until very warm but not boiling. Add the liquid to the bowl and stir with a spoon until roughly combined. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer until it's soft and smooth. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out rounds with a pierogi cutter, biscuit cutter, or a glass. The dough should be rolled out thinly, to about 3mm thick.
Next, make the filling. Whisk together cheese, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Scoop some filling with a teaspoon and place it on each round of dough. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then press the edges together, sealing and crimping with your fingers.
Once the pierogi are shaped, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pierogi in batches for 3-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove them from the water with a slotted spoon and drain them in a colander. To fry the pierogi, add oil to a pot and heat to 375°F. Fry the pierogi in batches until golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately with sour cream, applesauce, and/or caramelised onions.
For fruit-filled pierogi, you can add a square of white chocolate to the centre along with the berries. Roll out the dough and cut circles, then fill with blueberries or raspberries before sealing and boiling as above. Dust with sugar and serve with sour cream or crème fraîche.
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Traditional sides
Cheese perogies are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of traditional sides. Here are some ideas for sides to accompany your cheese perogies:
Sour Cream and Chives
A traditional and popular choice to serve with perogies is sour cream. It can be served as a topping or as a side, paired with chives for added flavour. This combination is simple yet delicious and complements the cheese filling well.
Onions
Fried, sautéed, or caramelized onions are another traditional side dish that pairs perfectly with cheese perogies. The sweetness of caramelized onions especially complements the savoury perogies, creating a tasty contrast. You can also cook onions in butter until they are soft and slightly browned, adding a depth of flavour to the dish.
Bacon
Bacon is a classic, traditional side that goes well with cheese perogies. Crispy bacon bits, with their salty and smoky flavour, add a crunchy texture to the dish. Bacon can also be cooked until browned and crispy, and then combined with onions for a delicious, savoury topping.
Sautéed Cabbage
Cabbage-based sides are traditional when serving perogies. Coleslaw or sauerkraut are simple yet tasty options that can be served as sides or toppings. The slight sourness of these dishes pairs well with the cheese perogies, creating a balanced flavour profile.
Sausages
Smoked sausages, such as kielbasa or bratwurst, are traditional meat sides that complement the creamy taste of cheese perogies. The rich, meaty flavour of sausages provides an exciting contrast that enhances the overall dining experience.
These traditional sides offer a variety of flavours and textures that will make your cheese perogies even more enjoyable and satisfying.
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Baked, grilled, or fried
Baked
Pierogies can be baked in the oven, either on their own or with other ingredients. One option is to make a dumpling tteokbokki bake, which involves baking pierogies with spicy rice cakes. Alternatively, you can bake them with vegetables, such as tenderstem broccoli, zucchini, squash, or roasted root vegetables.
Grilled
Grilling pierogies is another option. You can grill frozen pierogies in an air fryer, or grill spears of asparagus wrapped in foil with lemon and olive oil to serve as a side dish.
Fried
Frying is a popular way to cook pierogies. You can fry them in butter after boiling to create a golden crust. You can also fry bacon bits and toss them with the pierogies, or fry caramelised onions to add as a topping.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to serve cheese perogies, but here are some common methods:
- Fried or sautéed with butter, then sprinkled with granulated sugar
- Baked with a coating of breadcrumbs
- Deep-fried
- Boiled, covered in cheese, and baked
- With a butter and cream gravy
- With sour cream and fresh dill
Sides that go well with cheese perogies include:
- Sausages, especially kielbasa
- Bacon
- Vegetables, especially asparagus, broccoli, or a salad
- Chicken, especially a chicken salad
- A classic stew or borscht
Some tasty sauces to serve with cheese perogies include:
- Sour cream
- Mustard
- Horseradish
- Cheese sauce
- Mushroom sauce
