Thanks, Mrs. T

 We are huge pierogi fans in our house, and I am always looking for new ways to include them in our weekly meal plan. They are sort of a "new" thing for us, since I only started making them a couple years ago. They just weren't something I grew up with, and never thought to try. So, what changed you ask. 

Thanks to a foodie/blogging relationship with the great folks at Mrs. T's frozen pierogies, these little pillows of potato and cheese goodness are now a permanent part of our family's cuisine. 

Now, if you love to make homemade, or want to try, there are a thousand recipes out there for them and I fully support that approach. But for me, being able to grab a couple boxes out of the frozen food section, knowing I can have them on the table in almost no time, works for me. 

I use Mrs. T's for my Loaded Pierogi Skillet, which has quickly become a go-to 20 minute side dish for busy weeknights. And now I have a brand new recipe that we love just as much, thanks to inspiration from my friends at Mrs. T's. 

Combining their mini four-cheese medley pierogies with a buttery buffalo sauce is a GENIUS idea for a tasty appetizer for your next party, snacking while watching March Madness this week, or a side dish with a little kick perfect any night of the week. All the flavors of buffalo wings, but in a yummy dumpling.

I am so thankful we discovered pierogies, even if we were a little late to the party; and even more grateful for the opportunities to team up with a fantastic company any chance I get!

 

What Are Pierogies

Put simply, pierogies are filled dumplings. They can be savory or sweet, but the most popular fillings are potato, cheese, onions and cabbage.

Where Can I Buy Mrs. T's Frozen Pierogies

If you've never seen them before, Mrs. T's can be found in the frozen food section of your grocery store, usually close to the frozen pastas. 

What Kind Of Hot Sauce To Use

For this recipe I used a basic cayenne hot sauce, similar to Frank's Red Hot. But feel free to use any flavor or brand you like. 

Can I Make Pierogies In The Air Fryer 

YES! For this recipe, follow the directions but instead of baking in the oven, place the pierogies in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

 Best Tips

Melt butter over low heat to avoid scorching.

No need to thaw pierogies.

Don't forget to turn halfway through cooking so they don't burn.

Save any leftover buffalo sauce mixture to baste on the pierogies when they come out of the oven.

Serve with blue cheese, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.

If serving as an appetizer, include toothpicks or skewers so people can help themselves.

 

Buffalo Mini Pierogies

1 box mini 4-cheese medley pierogies

4 TBS butter, melted

1/2 cup hot sauce

1/2 tsp chili powder

Green onions, chopped, for garnish

Blue cheese dressing and crumbles, for serving

Carrots and celery, for serving

Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add hot sauce and chili powder. Stir well. Toss with frozen pierogies. Transfer to a large baking sheet coated in nonstick spray. Bake for 16-18 minutes until browned, turning halfway through. When cooked, baste pierogies with extra sauce. Sprinkle with green onions. Serve with blue cheese and veggies. 

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

Souper Rice

Cafeteria Noodles

Sheet Pan Macaroni and Cheese 

Easy Corn Casserole 

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes 

Red Potato Salad 

Broccoli Grape Salad

Shared at Weekend Potluck

 

20 Minute Side Dish and New Floors

 As of November, we have owned this house for 19 years. What started out as our "starter home" we would only be in for a few years, has become the place we've built our life. We came here as newlyweds after our honeymoon, where both of our boys came home from the hospital to, and the place Adam recovered after PE in both lungs almost took him from us 7 years ago. These four walls have seen countless birthdays, holiday celebrations, special moments, tears from sorrow...the list goes on and on. 

So why did we end up staying here so long? The simple answer is life. I could go deeper, but we will just leave it at that. But we are finally at a place where we can start to do some things we've wanted to for a very long time, as far as fixing things up a little goes. 

Back in September my dad, along with the hubby's help, laid new vinyl flooring down in our kitchen, forever covering the circa 1970's green linoleum. As I told someone, after almost two decades, I finally had a kitchen floor I loved. 

Then in November, just before Thanksgiving, it was the bathroom's turn. My dad spent a week replacing the tile flooring with beautiful vinyl plank wood; and it is beautiful! 

I can't tell you how much I love walking into both of these rooms now, not only because they are gorgeous, but because they are filled with love. They were truly a family project and I am so grateful dad could take the time and execute what I had dreamed of.

So what does new flooring have to do with this recipe? The day I tested this simple side dish, my dad was knee deep in flooring, trim and paint in the bathroom. I offered him some for lunch, and without any words I knew the dish was 100% successful. His eyes and noises as he chewed said it all. 

Take advantage of the frozen pierogies and this delicious side dish can be on your table in about 20 minutes! I served it with smoked sausage, but it would be so tasty with pork chops, ham, chicken, or burgers. 

Pierogies have quickly becomea favorite dish in our house, after I first started making them just a couple years ago. We love them as is, just sautéed in a little butter, in casseroles or finished off with yummy toppings like this dish.

These are inspired by what we all love on a loaded baked potato. Bacon. Cheese. Green onions. Did I mention bacon? Served with a little sour cream on the side and all the flavors are there!

Loaded Pierogies are not only a simple weeknight side dish, but you could absolutely put out a big platter of them at your next party or game day bash. The Super Bowl will be here before you know it and any football fan would love some pierogie nachos! 

My new flooring is beautiful and makes me smile daily. I share this story with you to show even if things take years to get done, keep working towards the goal. Don't lose sight. Try not to get discouraged. Sometimes the best things come to those who wait! 

Loaded Pierogi Skillet 

1 (16 oz.) box frozen cheese pierogi

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 (2.5 oz) bag real bacon bits

2 green onions chopped

2-3 TBS butter 

In a large skillet over melt butter over medium high heat. Saute pierogies in butter for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and onions. Cover. Reduce heat to low for 5 minutes until cheese begins to melt. Serve immediately.

Shared at Weekend Potluck