Potato Paprikash

Every time I have potatoes and a homemade sausage, I quickly make this paprika dish. I've tried several variations, but I always come back to this one because it doesn’t involve a lot of ingredients or complicated steps. The fresh tomato and red bell pepper add a simple flavor, and in the end, the fresh parsley makes all the difference.

Quick Info

Total time: approx. 50-55 minutes
Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: easy
Cooked meal recipe, ideal for lunch or dinner

Ingredients

1 kg potatoes
a piece of homemade sausage
1 red bell pepper
1 large tomato
2 tablespoons homemade tomato paste
a little green parsley (fresh or dried, depending on what you have)
salt, pepper, to taste
vegetable seasoning (or another vegetable spice)
sweet paprika (optional, for color and flavor)

Preparation Method

1. Peel the potatoes, wash them well, and cut them into suitable cubes. If they are too large, they won’t cook evenly.
2. Put a pot of water to boil. When it starts to bubble, add the potatoes and let them cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. I don’t put them directly in cold water; I prefer them slightly crunchy at the start.
3. The boiling time also depends on the type of potatoes, so I check occasionally with a fork. After 15 minutes, I add the diced bell pepper, cutting it into small pieces. I let everything boil for another 10 minutes.
4. In the meantime, I slice the sausage and fry it in a pan without any additional oil. The sausage should brown slightly and release some fat.
5. When the sausage is fried, I add the peeled and chopped tomato. I let it soften a bit, then add the two tablespoons of tomato paste. I mix it, add salt, pepper, vegetable seasoning, a bit of chopped parsley, and sweet paprika (if using), and let it simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes.
6. When the sausage mixture is ready, I take it off the heat and pour it into the pot with the potatoes and bell pepper. I mix everything gently and let it simmer together for another 10 minutes.
7. Finally, I sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish and turn off the heat.
8. Serve hot.

Why I Make This Recipe Often

I like it because it doesn’t take long and doesn’t require special ingredients. Potatoes and sausage are always available at home. The dish is hearty and keeps well in the fridge for another day.

Tips and Variations

Tips

Don’t cut the potatoes too small, or they will fall apart.
Boil the potatoes separately from the rest to avoid them becoming mushy.
If you don’t have homemade tomato paste, you can use regular tomato paste.
The sausage releases enough fat, so there’s no need to add oil.

Substitutions

Homemade sausage can be replaced with any type of smoked or semi-smoked sausage.
If you don’t have a fresh tomato, just use tomato paste.
The red bell pepper can be replaced with green pepper, but the taste will be slightly different.
Vegetable seasoning can be omitted or replaced with another vegetable spice, according to preference.

Variations

You can add a bit of garlic if you want a more intense flavor.
You can add a few bay leaves while boiling, but remove them at the end.
If you have dried parsley, use it only while boiling; fresh is better at the end.
It also works with new potatoes, and the boiling time decreases slightly.

Serving Ideas

I usually serve it plain with slices of fresh bread.
If you like, you can add a bit of sour cream on top when serving.
It also goes well with pickles on the side, if you have them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of sausage?
Yes, any smoked or semi-smoked sausage works. If it’s not too fatty, you can add a tablespoon of oil for frying.

How long should I boil the potatoes?
About 25 minutes, but it depends on the variety. Check with a fork – they shouldn’t crumble, just be tender.

If I don’t have vegetable seasoning, what can I substitute it with?
You can use salt and other vegetable spices or omit the vegetable seasoning altogether.

Can I make the recipe without tomato paste?
Yes, but the taste won’t be as rich, and the color will be paler. You can compensate with more fresh tomato if you have it.

Can the paprika be prepared a day in advance?
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge and actually enhances the flavor a bit.

Nutritional Values

Estimate for one serving: 350-400 kcal. Most calories come from potatoes and sausage. Carbohydrates: approx. 50 g per serving, protein: 10-12 g, fat: 13-15 g (varies depending on the sausage). Values are indicative and depend significantly on the type of sausage used.

Storage and Reheating

The paprika keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat it directly on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. If it’s been sitting, the potatoes absorb more sauce, and you may need to add a few tablespoons of water when reheating. Serve hot; I don’t recommend keeping it for more than two days.

 Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes, a piece of homemade sausage, a red bell pepper, a tomato, parsley, salt, pepper, vegetable seasoning, sweet paprika, homemade broth 2 tbsp.

 Tags:  potato stew