Bacon Pierogi Bake

Yum. So D made this and and said it was easy. It looked easy. I love pierogies. Did I mention this was good? My only issue is the serving size, but you know how that goes. 3 pierogies are such a small serving.

We had with salad.

Bacon Pierogi Bake

Photo by ALB

Pierogies are yummy potato-filled dumplings you can purchase from the freezer section of most major supermarkets. Using this convenience item to jump-start dinner is not just economical, but it'll save you lots of time in the kitchen, as well. Bake in gratin dishes for fun individual "casseroles," and serve with a green salad.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 pierogies and 2 tablespoons sauce)

Cost per Serving: $1.84

Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package frozen potato and onion pierogies (such as Mrs. T's)
Cooking spray
2 center-cut bacon slices, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup thinly diagonally sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped seeded plum tomato
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Arrange the pierogies in an 11 x 7-inch glass baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cook bacon in a saucepan over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan. Set aside.
3. Add garlic to drippings in pan, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add 1/3 cup cream cheese to pan, and cook for 1 minute or until cream cheese begins to melt, stirring frequently. Gradually add chicken broth to pan, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over pierogies. Top evenly with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until bubbly and thoroughly heated. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with bacon, green onions, tomato, and pepper.
CALORIES 303 ; FAT 12.8g (sat 6g,mono 4.3g,poly 0.4g); CHOLESTEROL 38mg; CALCIUM 141mg; CARBOHYDRATE 36.4g; SODIUM 646mg; PROTEIN 12.1g; FIBER 2.2g; IRON 0.4mg

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2010