Perogies are a beloved comfort food with roots in Eastern European cuisine, and they make a delicious, hearty meal that everyone can enjoy. This vegetarian perogies recipe offers a fresh take on the traditional dish by featuring a savory filling made from potatoes, cheese, and caramelized onions.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, making perogies from scratch is a rewarding experience that fills your home with wonderful aromas and fills your plate with satisfying flavors. These tender dumplings can be boiled, fried, or baked — perfect for any occasion, from cozy family dinners to festive gatherings.
In this post, I’ll guide you through every step, share tips to make the process easier, and suggest variations to customize your perogies. Once you master this recipe, you’ll want to explore other fantastic vegetarian dishes that pair beautifully with them, such as the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious or the creamy flavors of the Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes.
Now, let’s dive in and make some unforgettable vegetarian perogies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, these perogies are completely vegetarian, making them perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a meat-free meal without compromising on taste or texture. The filling combines creamy mashed potatoes with sharp cheese and sweet caramelized onions, creating a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
Another great reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can boil and serve them with butter and herbs, pan-fry for a crispy golden finish, or even freeze them for quick meals later.
Plus, making your own dough from scratch means you get that fresh, tender wrapper that store-bought alternatives just can’t match.
Lastly, this recipe is approachable and fun to make. It’s a great way to gather family or friends in the kitchen and enjoy a hands-on cooking experience that ends with a delicious feast!
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- For the Filling:
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup farmer’s cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder or fresh minced garlic for extra flavor
- For Cooking:
- Butter or oil for frying (optional)
- Sour cream or plain yogurt, for serving
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling potatoes
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Rolling pin
- Perogie or dumpling cutter (or a glass to cut dough circles)
- Large pot for boiling perogies
- Slotted spoon
- Frying pan (optional)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Place the peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash the potatoes: While still warm, mash the potatoes with the farmer’s cheese, adding salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Set aside to cool.
- Caramelize the onions: In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook slowly until golden and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Add the onions to the potato mixture and stir well.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the egg, sour cream, and warm water gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Roll out the dough: Divide the dough into manageable portions. Roll each portion to about 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut dough circles: Using a perogie cutter or a glass (about 3 inches in diameter), cut out dough circles.
- Fill the perogies: Place a spoonful of the potato and cheese filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch and extra sealing.
- Cook the perogies: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the perogies in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 3-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Optional frying step: For crispy perogies, heat butter or oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the boiled perogies for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
“For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the filling. You can also swap out the cheese for vegan alternatives to keep this recipe completely plant-based.”
If you want to make these perogies vegan, substitute the egg and sour cream in the dough with plant-based alternatives such as flax egg and vegan sour cream. Replace the farmer’s cheese with tofu or vegan ricotta cheese.
Freeze uncooked perogies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Boil them straight from frozen when ready to cook.
For a different twist, try sweet fillings like mashed pumpkin and cinnamon or sweetened cheese with lemon zest.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (4 perogies) |
---|---|
Calories | 350 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 55 g |
Protein | 10 g |
Fat | 8 g |
Fiber | 4 g |
Sodium | 400 mg |
Serving Suggestions
Vegetarian perogies are versatile and pair wonderfully with many sides and toppings. Serve them with a fresh green salad, sautéed vegetables, or a light soup like the Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating.
For an indulgent touch, drizzle melted butter and sprinkle fried onions on top.
For a festive meal, consider pairing with some pickled vegetables or a creamy mushroom sauce. You might also enjoy them alongside other vegetarian dishes like Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals or try a comforting bread side with the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.
Conclusion
Making vegetarian perogies at home is a fun and satisfying culinary project that yields comforting, flavorful dumplings perfect for any meal. The combination of creamy potatoes, tangy cheese, and sweet caramelized onions wrapped in tender dough is truly irresistible.
Plus, the recipe is flexible enough to accommodate dietary preferences and creative fillings.
Once you master these perogies, you’ll find yourself eager to experiment with new fillings and cooking methods. Whether served boiled, pan-fried, or baked, they make a filling and delicious dish that will impress family and friends alike.
Don’t forget to check out other vegetarian recipes on the blog to keep your menu exciting and nutritious. Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Perogies
Description: Delicious homemade perogies filled with a savory blend of potatoes, cheese, and onions. Perfect as a comforting meal or appetizer.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT50M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add egg and warm water; knead dough until smooth.
- Roll dough thin and cut into 3-inch circles.
- Combine mashed potatoes, cheese, onions, salt, and pepper for filling.
- Place a spoonful of filling on each dough circle and fold over to seal edges.
- Boil perogies in salted water until they float, about 3-5 minutes.
- Drain and sauté perogies in butter until golden brown.
- Serve warm with sour cream if desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 12 g | Carbs: 45 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Perogies”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Delicious homemade perogies filled with a savory blend of potatoes, cheese, and onions. Perfect as a comforting meal or appetizer.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT50M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 cup warm water”, “1 large egg”, “2 cups mashed potatoes”, “1 cup shredded cheddar cheese”, “1/2 cup finely chopped onions”, “2 tablespoons butter”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “Sour cream for serving (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour and salt in a bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add egg and warm water; knead dough until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll dough thin and cut into 3-inch circles.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine mashed potatoes, cheese, onions, salt, and pepper for filling.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place a spoonful of filling on each dough circle and fold over to seal edges.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Boil perogies in salted water until they float, about 3-5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drain and saut\u00e9 perogies in butter until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve warm with sour cream if desired.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “10 g”, “fatContent”: “12 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}