Wash the peppers and carefully cut off the tops. Remove the stems and seeds from inside, keeping the peppers intact for stuffing.
2. Make the Filling
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, uncooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
3. Stuff the Peppers
Fill each pepper with the meat mixture, but don’t pack it too tightly. The rice will expand as it cooks.
4. Prepare the Sauce
Heat the oil in a large pot. Stir in the flour and cook briefly. Slowly add the tomato passata and water while stirring to create a smooth sauce. Add the sugar, salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer
Carefully place the stuffed peppers into the tomato sauce. The sauce should come about halfway to two-thirds up the peppers.
Cover and simmer gently for about 50–60 minutes, turning the peppers carefully once or twice if needed. The meat should be fully cooked and the rice tender.
6. Serve
Spoon plenty of the tomato sauce over each pepper and garnish with fresh parsley.
Traditionally, Töltött Paprika is delicious with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or fresh crusty bread to soak up the tomato sauce.
🇭🇺 A Taste of Hungarian Home Cooking
Töltött Paprika is one of those dishes that feels like classic Hungarian comfort food. Sweet peppers, paprika-seasoned meat and rice, and gently cooked tomato sauce come together in a meal that’s both filling and familiar.
The combination of sweet paprika and slightly sweet tomato sauce gives the dish its characteristic Hungarian flavor. It also makes a wonderful make-ahead meal because the flavors become even more developed after resting.
💡 Helpful Tips
Use sweet Hungarian paprika, not smoked paprika, for the most traditional flavor.
Don’t overstuff the peppers because the rice expands during cooking.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the peppers don’t fall apart.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water or broth.
For extra richness, use a combination of ground pork and beef.
🍽️ Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 50–60 minutes Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes Servings: 6–8 stuffed peppers Cuisine: Hungarian Course: Main Course
Final Thoughts
Hungarian Töltött Paprika (Stuffed Peppers) is a wonderful example of traditional home cooking: affordable ingredients, straightforward preparation, and plenty of comforting flavor. Serve it warm with potatoes or fresh bread, and you’ll have a hearty Hungarian meal perfect for a family dinner.
