Cheesy BLT Pierogi Skillet Dinner

By srumbel

This BLT Pierogi Skillet Dinner uses just one pan, and is on the table in 30 minutes! Pillowy soft pierogies are draped in a creamy, cheesy, alfredo-like sauce and loaded up with vibrant BLT flavors – comfort food with a satisfyingly fresh twist! It’s one of those meals that wins little cheers of joy at my house when dinner is announced. Bonus: it reheats beautifully, too, so you can even make it ahead for busy evenings! ~
from twohealthykitchens.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped sweet onion (from about half a medium onion)
• 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped (about 60 grams or 2 - 2 1/4 ounces total) (see note)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 12.84-ounce boxes frozen mini pierogies (no need to thaw), such as Mrs. T's Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies
• 1 14.5-ounce can fat-fee, reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 ounces baby spinach, chopped to yield about 4 1/2 cups
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 cup seeded, diced tomatoes (about 2 medium tomatoes)
• optional dash of kosher salt, only if needed

Details

Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook chopped sweet onion and bacon until bacon is nearly done and onion has begun to soften and turn slightly golden, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.
Add garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute, stirring so garlic does not burn.
Add frozen pierogies and broth, stirring so that all pierogies are completely moistened. Turn the heat up to high, cover and cook until pierogies are done (about 8 minutes).
Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated into both to form a creamy sauce. Then add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Next add spinach and green onions and stir just until spinach is slightly wilted.
Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes.
Taste and add just a little kosher salt, only if needed to make the flavors really pop. (I occasionally need to add salt if using a very reduced-sodium turkey bacon; otherwise I find that adding salt is usually unnecessary.)
Serve immediately, from skillet, or see note about serving this later as a make-ahead meal.

About 8 cups