This Ukrainian Daughter's Crock Pot Casserole recipe is truly a "labor of love" that I spent years perfecting. It combines all the heavy hitters of a traditional Ukrainian dinner-kielbasa, cabbage rolls, and pierogi flavors-into one hearty, slow-cooked masterpiece. It's the perfect solution for a busy Sunday dinner, a New Year's Eve feast, or a potluck where you want to wow the crowd. The best part? There is absolutely no precooking required. You simply layer the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting!
If you're looking for Ukrainian recipes, you'll love this slow cooker casserole because it's a giant Ukrainian feast in one pot! It pairs well with myUkrainian Walnut Torte for dessert!
🍒Reader Review
"Hi Terri--I wanted to let you know that my New Year's Eve Ukrainian Feast was a huge success. I started working on it at 6:30 am. I turned it on High at 8:00 am - 12:00 noon. Then I added kulbasa at 12:00 noon (but I cut it into smaller bite sized pieces--so that my 3 year old would have no trouble) and I turned the crock pot to Keep Warm from 12:00 - 4:00 pm (because I had to be out during the afternoon). I served the meal around 4:30 pm. I served baked (purchased frozen) pierogies on the side & fresh dinner rolls. I put the sour cream garnish on the table for about an hour before dinner so it would be room temperature and not too cold. I used all full fat ingredients as a personal choice. Served with lots of fresh dill leaves too--thanks again--I'll make this dish again for sure =D Happy New Year!!!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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If you are looking for Ukrainian dishes, give this crock pot casserole a try! It's about 4 different Ukrainian meals in one dish. But the best part is that it works so well together and tastes amazing! And it should because it took me many tries and many versions to perfect this recipe. It really was a labor of love....
If you love Ukrainian food and are looking for more modern twists on traditional favorites, be sure to try my Loaded Pierogi Soup and my Ukrainian Breakfast Hash!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
If you are looking for Ukrainian recipes, this Ukrainian slow cooker casserole is a huge Ukrainian meal in one pot, including kielbasa sausage, cabbage, rice, and pierogi/perogy flavors.! Prepped in 20 minutes, the slow cooker does all the cooking for you! Who doesn't want a giant Ukrainian dinner without having to spend a ridiculous amount of time making it? There is NO precooking required!
- Ukrainian Kubassa (Kielbasa): Look for a high-quality garlic ring. Removing the casing before slicing ensures every bite is tender and integrates perfectly into the layers.
- Dry Cottage Cheese: This is a staple in Ukrainian cooking (similar to Tvorog). It has a crumbly texture and doesn't release as much liquid as regular cottage cheese, which is key to keeping the casserole from getting soggy.
- Instant Brown Rice: It is essential to use instant (minute) rice here. Regular brown or white rice will not cook through properly in the time it takes the cabbage to soften without adding significantly more liquid.
- Hash Browns: I use the frozen cubed variety. Make sure they are defrosted before mixing so they blend easily with the cheese and sour cream.
- Sauerkraut and Liquid: The sauerkraut provides that signature tang. Don't skip the step of sprinkling the sauerkraut liquid over the top-it seasons the potato layer as it steams!
- Mustard & Horseradish: This might seem like a unique addition, but it adds a subtle "zing" that cuts through the richness of the cheese and sausage.
🔪 How to Make Ukrainian Slow Cooker Casserole
This recipe is very easy because it requires no precooking. But you need to add the ingredients as directed:
Step 1: Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1 can of tomato soup into bottom of crock pot. Add 3-4 cups shredded cabbage on bottom of crock pot, then add dry rice.
Step 2: Pour 2 cups of water on top of rice, then sprinkle on ¼ cup of bacon bits.
Step 3: Evenly spread the other can of tomato soup over cabbage, then pour on tomato juice. Cut kubasa into circles (¼ inch) and spread evenly over cabbage roll layer.
Step 4: Mix mustard, horseradish and reek yogurt together and spread evenly over kubassa.
Step 5: In a large mixing bowl mix frozen hash browns, finely cut onion, dry cottage cheese, sauerkraut, sour cream, remaining bacon bits, cheddar cheese soup, dill, and the grated cheddar cheese. Then cut butter into very small pieces and mix in. Spread hash brown mixture over top of kubassa. Sprinkle sauerkraut liquid over hash brown mixture.
Step 6: Turn crock pot on low for 8-10 hour. It is ready when cabbage is tender and cooked through.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Layering is Key: Do not be tempted to stir the crock pot! The magic of this recipe happens in the layers. The rice and cabbage at the bottom steam perfectly under the moisture of the tomato soup and juice, while the potato mixture on top stays rich and creamy.
- The 6-Quart Rule: This recipe makes a massive amount of food (16 servings!). You must use at least a 6-quart slow cooker to prevent overflow and ensure even cooking.
- Chop the Cabbage Finely: To ensure the cabbage is tender at the same time the rice is done, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces or thin shreds rather than large chunks.
- Butter Bits: When adding the butter to the hash brown mixture, make sure it is cold and cut into very tiny pieces. This creates little "pockets" of richness throughout the potato layer as it melts.
🥗 What to eat with this Ukrainian Crock Pot Casserole
While this is a giant meal in one pot, it pairs beautifully with a few traditional sides such as my Beef Borscht (with canned beet) (shown below). I also like to serve it with a simple beet salad or a vinegar-based coleslaw like my Artichoke and Red Bell Pepper Coleslaw, which adds a nice acidity to balance the richness.
My Dessert Perogies or Pampushky - Ukrainian doughnuts finish this meal off nicely!
🌡️Storage
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This dish actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld!
To Freeze: You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months. However, be aware that because it contains sour cream and potatoes, the texture may be slightly softer upon thawing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave until piping hot.
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes a massive 16 servings, making it the ultimate choice for potlucks, family reunions, or holiday feasts like New Year's Eve. Because it is so rich and filling, a smaller portion goes a long way, especially if you are serving it with traditional sides.
❔Recipe FAQ's
I don't recommend it. Regular rice requires a lot of agitation and specific water ratios to cook properly in a slow cooker. Instant rice is much more forgiving and ensures you don't end up with crunchy grains
You can cook it on High for 4-5 hours, but for the best "melt-in-your-mouth" cabbage texture, the Low setting for 8-10 hours is superior.
This can happen if your cabbage had a very high water content or if the hash browns weren't fully drained after defrosting. If it looks too wet at the end, let it sit uncovered on the "Warm" setting for 30 minutes to allow the steam to escape and the juices to settle.
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If you're looking for Ukrainian cuisineThis Ukrainian Daughter's Crock Pot Casserole is more than just a meal; it's a tribute to the flavors I grew up with, simplified for a busy modern life. It gives you all the comfort of kubassa, cabbage rolls and pierogies without the hours of rolling and pinching.
If you're looking for authentic Ukrainian cuisine that feeds a crowd (and leaves them asking for the recipe), this is it! Give it a try for your next Sunday dinner, and don't forget to leave a star rating and a comment below to let me know how it turned out!
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📋 Ukrainian Daughter's Crock Pot Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 -4 cups chopped cabbage 1 very small cabbage
- 2 cup dry instant brown rice minute rice
- 2 cups water
- ⅓ cup tomato juice
- 2 10 oz cans tomato soup (concentrated)
- ⅔ cup real bacon bits
- ⅔ cup mustard
- 3 teaspoon horseradish
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 750 g Ukrainian Kubassa ring casing removed
- 1 kg pkg hashbrowns frozen (about 5 cups) defrosted
- 1 ½ cup old light cheddar cheese
- 1 cup light sour cream
- 1 cup dry cottage cheese
- 1 10 oz can cheddar soup (concentrated)
- 1 tablespoon dill
- 1 cup sauerkraut chopped
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup butter salted
- 2 tablespoon sauerkraut liquid from jar
Garnish (optional)
- Dill
- sour cream
Instructions
- Spray a 6 quart crock pot/slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1 can of tomato soup into bottom of crock pot. Add 3-4 cups shredded cabbage on bottom of crock pot, then add dry rice.
- Pour 2 cups of water on top of rice, then sprinkle on ¼ cup of bacon bits.
- Evenly spread the other can of tomato soup over cabbage, then pour on tomato juice. Cut kubasa into circles (¼ inch) and spread evenly over cabbage roll layer.
- Mix mustard, horseradish and Greek yogurt together and spread evenly over kubassa.
- In a large mixing bowl mix frozen hashbrowns, finely cut onion, dry cottage cheese, sauerkraut, sour cream, remaining bacon bits, cheddar cheese soup, dill, and the grated cheddar cheese. Then cut butter into very small pieces and mix in.Spread hashbrown mixture over top of kubasa. Sprinkle sauerkraut liquid over hashbrown mixture.
- Turn crock pot on low for 8-10 hour. It is ready when cabbage is tender and cooked through.
Notes
- Layering is Key: Do not be tempted to stir the crock pot! The magic of this recipe happens in the layers. The rice and cabbage at the bottom steam perfectly under the moisture of the tomato soup and juice, while the potato mixture on top stays rich and creamy.
- The 6-Quart Rule: This recipe makes a massive amount of food (16 servings!). You must use at least a 6-quart slow cooker to prevent overflow and ensure even cooking.
- Chop the Cabbage Finely: To ensure the cabbage is tender at the same time the rice is done, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces or thin shreds rather than large chunks.
- Butter Bits: When adding the butter to the hash brown mixture, make sure it is cold and cut into very tiny pieces. This creates little "pockets" of richness throughout the potato layer as it melts.
Dumpor.Com says
Just made this on Wednesday for my boyfriend and his family who are Russian! with 8 kids in the family the food was devoured. His parents LOVED this and even said I make better food then some Russians that they know!
Terri Gilson says
That's wonderful - I'm so glad everyone loved it!
dkropp says
Do you mix this all together after it cooked or do you eat it in layers? Also, how do you fit all of that in one crockpot?? Do you have an extra large one?
Kimberley says
Pryvit! Love the dance pictures! Is that Thorn cliff community centre? My kids have their Zabava celebration with their dance school there every year. I totally hear you on the feelings the day after.
I look forward to trying your recipe!
lorichoma says
Yum! If I attempt this, I may try substituting some perogies for the hashbrowns....maybe just add them later in the process.
Sheryl says
mmm . . . This looks delicious. I like how you revised and refined a traditional recipe to make it work well in today's hectic world.
killingthyme says
I'm part Ukie myself, and boy do I know about the blood, sweat and tears that goes into making a lot of that glorious food from scratch! This is a fantastic idea and it sounds *so* good. It might be a close second to my childhood fave lazy skillet cabbage rolls. NOMS.
mdivadomestica says
Wow! Reading through the ingredient list you have accomplished incorporating the Ukrainian dish essentials into one dish - Amazing!
So nice to see the dance pictures. I'm sure your son was so happy to join in all the fun.
Food Meanderings says
Thanks - yes, lots of ingredients ! I took me several tries and about 3 yrs until I got it right! I was determined... Glad you enjoyed the dance pictures - my son was THRILLED to be part of the action! 🙂
Heidi Fraser-Kruck says
Hello, I'm hoping to cook up the crock pot casserole this Canadian New Year's Eve. I thought it would be fun to share some of our Ukrainian heritage with our new friends coming for dinner. I worry that 10 hours is too long, though. Is there any way I can speed it up? 8 hours would be perfect. I still have young children and they need to get to bed fairly early in the evening.
Terri Gilson says
Hi Heidi,
You could cook it on high for 4-6 hours! You'll know it's ready when the cabbage is tender. I hope you and your friends enjoy the recipe!
Thanks!
Terri
Heidi Fraser-Kruck says
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I'll practice it today:)
Ayngelina (@Ayngelina) says
Very cool, I love to learn about other new year celebrations especially when its about food.
Food Meanderings says
Thanks, Ayngelina! Yes, I agree - I will celebrate almost anything if food is involved!
Sue Slaght says
When we lived in a small town in north central Alberta these Ukrainian feasts were very common. We were always delighted when we would arrive to a community event to eat all the delicious food. Nothing like the joy of saving a zillion hours of food prep with a slow cooker! Twenty minutes sounds like just the right amount of time to spend in the kitchen in my books.
Food Meanderings says
Happening upon a Ukrainian feast is the best, Sue! Yes, and saving hours of cooking is 2nd best...:)
Sas says
Are these tomato soup cans concentrate, or fully ready to serve soups?
Also, what is cheddar cheese soup? I don’t have this available in my grocery stores. What can I substitute?
Terri Gilson says
Hi,
Yes, they are concentrated tomato soup - I will update the recipe to reflect that! Thanks for pointing that out 🙂
Cheddar cheese soup is a concentrated soup as well. You could use a homemade version if you can't find it: Homemade Cheddar Cheese Soup or use condensed cream of mushroom, or cream of chicken (and add another 1/4 cup cheddar cheese to the recipe).
Enjoy!
Terri
Gloria Duggan says
Ok....coming from a fellow Ukrainian....yes ALL that food takes lots of time to prepare. I seriously don't know how baba did it all the time. When my kids as for perogies my answer is: "Are you coming over to help?" I miss those extra celebrations. Since my baba, mom and most of my aunts are long gone, I have great memories of all the extra holidays....and wonderful food. I loved reading your story.