Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (2024)

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Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (1)

Looking just like kopytka, the pierogi leniwe are classic Polish dumplings made of farmer’s cheese. Easy to make in less than 20 minutes, here is my babcia’s Polish lazy pierogi recipe.

Why Is It Called A Lazy Pierogi Recipe?

Pierogi leniwe are made with only three main ingredients – cheese, flour, and eggs. They’re easy enough to whip up for a quick dinner any time you want, or for a quick snack when the kids come home from school.

In fact, these cheesy dumplings can almost be thought of as an express dinner. That’s why they’re called pierogi leniwe and the kluski leniwe recipe is an all-time favorite with many Polish households.

Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (2)

What Shape Are Lazy Pierogi Made In?

The traditional Polish lazy pierogi recipe calls for the pierogi to be diamond-shaped just like the popular Polish kopytka. You create the shape by rolling the dough out a quarter-inch thickness. Cut the dough into long log that are about an inch thick, and then into smaller diamond-shaped pieces that are half an inch wide.

What Kind Of Cheese You Use In Pierogi Leniwe Recipe?

The cheese traditionally used for making pierogi leniwe is called Twarog (ser biały). It is a type of farmer’s cheese or cottage cheese. See my homemade farmer’s cheese recipe.

There are many Polish dishes with ser biały (white cheese). Some of them are:

  • Polish cheesecake (sernik)
  • baked apple with farmer’s cheese
  • spreads for bread (for example mackerel spread, Polish egg spread and gzik)
  • pierogi ruskie (dumplings with cottage cheese and potatoes)
  • Polish sweet cheese
  • Polish sweet cheese pierogi

Tips For Making This Lazy Pierogi Recipe

  • You can use a potato masher to mash the cheese fine or run it through a mixer.
  • Make sure you add the pierogi leniwe to water that is already boiling.
  • Depending on the size of your pot, boil only 10 to 20 pierogi at a time.
  • While the pierogi leniwe are boiling, stir the water a few times to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom.
  • Once removed from the pot, drizzle melted butter on the kluski leniwe so that they don’t stick to each other.

Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (3)

Pierogi Leniwe Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Leniwe Mean?

Leniwe is a Polish word that means lazy.

What Is The Difference Between Kopytka And Pierogi Leniwe?

Kopytka and pierogi leniwe look similar in shape but they are different. Kopytka are made with flour, eggs, and potatoes, while pierogi leniwe are made with flour, eggs, and cottage cheese, or farmer’s cheese.

Kopytka are usually served as a savory dish along with goulash etc, while lazy pierogi are served sweet.

How Will I Know When The Pierogi Leniwe Are Cooked?

The pierogi are cooked when they rise to the surface of the pot.

I Can’t Find Farmer’s Cheese? Can I Use Any oOher?

If you can’t find cottage cheese or farmer’s cheese, use any other full-fat or semi-fat cheese to make these delicious pierogi leniwe.

How Should I Serve The Pierogi Leniwe?

Serve the pierogi leniwe with a topping of crumbs fried in butter.Other toppings you can use are

  • cinnamon
  • sugar
  • sour cream
  • fresh fruits (for example blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
  • Polish goulash
  • Polish mushroom sauce
  • tomato sauce
  • Polish fried sauerkraut (kapusta zasmażana)

How Do I Prepare The Breadcrumbs As A Topping?

To use breadcrumbs as a topping, add a few tablespoons of the breadcrumbs to a pan with equal tablespoons of butter and fry them for a few minutes.

Pierogi Leniwe Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe

Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (4)

The pierogi leniwe are classic Polish dumplings made of farmer's cheese or cottage cheese. Easy to make in less than 30 minutes, here is my babcia's Polish lazy pierogi recipe.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 oz (500g) of farmer's cheese
  • 1 cup (140g) of all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • water, as required
  • salt, to taste
  • oil, asrequired

Optional Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

How To Make Pierogi Leniwe Dough?

  1. Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks.
  2. Using a fork, mix egg yolks with farmer's cheese. Make sure, there are no lumps.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with a bit of salt until stiff.
  4. Start adding the egg whites' foam to the egg yolks mixed with cheese really slowly. Stir in one direction only.
  5. When you are done, repeat the process with flour. Add it really slowly, mixing all the time. You may use a spatula or hand to mix.


How To Form Pierogi Leniwe?

  1. Flour a pastry board (or a worktop) and place the dough there.
  2. Cut the dough in half.
  3. Using your hands, roll out the first piece of the dough into a long log shape. It should be about 1 inch thick.
  4. Cut the roller into smaller pieces (each should be about 1/2'' long).
  5. Repeat with the second piece of the dough.


How To Cook Pierogi Leniwe?

  1. Pour the water with a bit of salt into the big pot. Bring to boil.
  2. When the water is boiling, carefully throw your lazy pierogi into the pot. You won't be able to boil them all in one go, depending on the pot, throw 10-20 each time.
  3. Carefully stir the water with a spoon to make sure the dough doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Using the slotted spoon, take out your lazy pierogi as soon as they go up to the surface of the water.

Notes

  • Make sure the water is boiling before you add the pierogi leniwe to it.
  • Top with fried breadcrumbs.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 451Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1039mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 25g

These data are indicative and calculated by Nutritionix

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Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (14)

Did you like this pierogi leniwe Polish lazy pierogi recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

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11 Responses

  1. I love Polish food. My grandparents on both sides came from Poland. When I was young I used to help my grandma make dough. She had hers and I had mine. I loved it. I wished I had my mom write the recipes down.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your comment, Barbara. Polish food is awesome, right? 🙂

      Reply

  2. Thank you so much for this recipe! My grandmother came from Poland and used to make these, but she passed when I was very small. I have tried to replicate the recipe, but was never really able to. These look exactly like hers. I can’t wait to try it out (as soon as I get some farmer’s cheese)!

    Reply

    1. I am so happy to read that! Happy cooking, Karyn 🙂

      Reply

  3. I can’t find farmers cheese anywhere here. I live in South Dakota. Any close substitutes that I can use?

    Reply

    1. When I don’t have farmer’s cheese, I make kopytka, the taste is pretty similar:
      https://polishfoodies.com/kopytka-polish-gnocchi-recipe/

      Reply

  4. So these wouldn’t taste good sautéed with onion and butter, like we do with the traditional potato and cheese pierogies?

    Reply

    1. Hi Dianne,
      This would taste great sautéed with onion and butter!

      Reply

  5. Wow our lazy perogi is quite different..hears how my gram made it:
    1 lg. Can of Sour crout
    1 can of mushrooms
    1 stick of butter
    1 bag of kaluski noodles
    Pour 1 can of water over Sour crout and strain. Melt the stick of butter in pan add Sourcrout and mushrooms and add teaspoon sugar. Simmer for an hr. Add kaluski noodles to boiling water cook for 12 min drain. After Sourcrout cooks mix with noodles and this is our lazy perogi

    Reply

    1. That’s interesting! What are kaluski noodles?

      Reply

    2. Mary, That’s much closer to my Mom and Babci’s recipe. The others were much more work!

      Reply

Authentic Polish Lazy Pierogi Recipe + Tips For Making Kluski Leniwe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between kluski and pierogi? ›

Kluski (singular: klusek or kluska; from German Klöße) is a generic Polish name for all kinds of soft, mushy dumplings, usually without a filling. There are many different types of kluski, differing in basic ingredients and preparation method. Kluski are distinct from pierogi and stand-alone pasta dishes.

What is the difference between pierogi and kopytka? ›

Unlike pierogi, which are made with flour, eggs, water, and salt, the dough for these kopytka dumplings includes mashed potatoes. Although potatoes are a staple in Polish cuisine today, they took a while to catch on when they arrived in the country during the 18th century.

How are pierogies served in Poland? ›

Other popular pierogi in Poland are filled with ground meat, mushrooms and cabbage, or for dessert an assortment of fruits (berries, with strawberries or blueberries the most common). Sweet pierogi are usually served with sour cream mixed with sugar, and savory pierogi with bacon fat and bacon bits.

What is the Polish version of a stuffed dumpling? ›

Pierogi is indeed a type of Polish dumpling, usually boiled and with a typical filling of mashed potatoes or minced pork.

Is it better to boil or pan fry perogies? ›

However, it's not a must—you can also cook frozen pierogies right in the skillet without boiling them—and they will turn out delicious. But, if you're a stickler for tradition, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, drop the pierogies in and wait for them to float.

What is the most traditional pierogi? ›

Let's start with the most obvious and traditional pierogi of all – pierogi Ruskie. Try not to be fooled by its name – this is Polish pierogi, of course, not Russian. So why the “Ruskie” part of the name?

What is an Amish pierogi? ›

Amish Perogies - traditional real cheese & potato. dumplings served with house-made sweet chili sour. cream.

What is the most popular pierogi in Poland? ›

Ruskie pierogi are probably the most popular kind of pierogi in North America and Poland. The other popular pierogi in Poland are filled with ground meat, mushrooms and cabbage, or for dessert an assortment of fruits (berries, with strawberries or blueberries the most common).

Are pierogies Polish or Ukrainian? ›

pierogi, one or more dumplings of Polish origin, made of unleavened dough filled with meat, vegetables, or fruit and boiled or fried or both.

What country makes the best pierogies? ›

Homemade pierogies eaten in Poland are hard to beat, but not as tough to eat. Finally, our favourite fillings? Try these irresistible combinations: Mashed potatoes and cream cheese (also known as 'Ruskie pierogi' or 'Russian pierogi').

What is the national dish of Poland? ›

Bigos stew is the national dish of Poland. It can be made with any kind of meat from pork to rabbit or venison, but should always have spicy Polish sausage.

What is the most popular dish in Poland? ›

Pierogi. Pierogi are filled dumplings containing either meat, vegetables, cheese, fruit or chocolate. Pierogi is undoubtedly Poland's most famous and simple comfort food.

What is Poland's most famous dumplings called? ›

This pierogi recipe for Polish dumplings has been a family favorite from generation to generation. We traditionally make these for Christmas, but they can be made for any special event. There's some work involved, but the outcome is rewarding!

What is the meaning of kartoffelkloesse? ›

"Just what the name implies - these are German-style potato dumplings, as found everywhere in the South of Germany, Austria and Bohemia. These are traditionally served with any roast with gravy, but most well-known as an accompaniment for a hearty Sauerbraten and red cabbage.

What is kartoffelkloesse made of? ›

German potato dumplings, also known as kartoffelklöße or kartoffelknödel, are unique spheres of seasoned potatoes and starch. There are many ways to make classic German potato dumplings, including some using all or part raw potatoes, some using wheat flour, and some using part wheat flour and part starch.

What is comparable to kluski noodles? ›

Kluski noodles, egg noodles, and pasta are like cousins. All three of them are similar and yet different when it comes down to the ingredients used to make them.

What is the difference between Polish and Ukrainian perogies? ›

Varenyky is the more commonly used term in Ukraine, often eaten with sweet fillings, while pierogi are the national dish of Poland. Different to pelmeni as they are usually vegetarian, varenyky and pierogi can be served fried in butter, usually as an appetiser or a dessert.

Are perogies Polish or Ukrainian? ›

The perogy has roots in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Ukraine, with slight differences between each country on the names and fillings. Ukrainian perogies, known as varenyky, can be stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings.

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