Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe: When we traveled to Serbia, we were excited to learn about local dishes that bring families together. One of our favorite finds was the recipe for Punjene Paprike, or stuffed peppers, which has a rich history in Balkan cuisine. This dish features bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and spices, making it a perfect comfort food.
As we tried different versions of this dish, we discovered that each recipe offers a unique twist while sticking to traditional methods. The vibrant flavors and colorful presentation of Punjene Paprike quickly won our hearts.
We can’t wait to share our simple yet delicious recipe that’s easy to prepare, even for beginners.
Join us as we walk you through the steps to create these tasty stuffed peppers that are not only satisfying but also a celebration of Serbian culture and hospitality.
You’ll find that Punjene Paprike are perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe
We love this recipe for its rich flavors and comforting ingredients. Stuffed peppers are a staple in Serbian food and bring a taste of tradition to our table.
These Punjene Paprike are filled with a hearty mix of ground beef, rice, and spices. Each bite offers a perfect blend of textures and tastes.
- Nutritious Balance: The dish is full of vitamins and minerals. It’s not just tasty but also good for us.
- Versatile: We can easily customize the stuffing. Whether we want to use extra veggies or swap in different meats, the recipe is flexible.
- Family Favorite: This recipe is great for gatherings. Everyone loves sinking their teeth into warm, cheesy peppers.
- Easy to Make: Prepping the peppers takes little time. We can make a big batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Tomato Sauce Delight: Adding a rich tomato sauce on top brings extra flavor. It complements the stuffing perfectly.
When we serve these Serbian stuffed peppers, we’re not just sharing a meal. We’re sharing a piece of our culture and history with family and friends.
What Makes This Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe Special
Serbian Punjene Paprike, or stuffed peppers, hold a special place in our hearts. They bring warmth and comfort to the dining table.
Flavorful Filling
The filling is a mix of ground meat, rice, and spices. We often use a combination of pork and beef. This mix gives the dish a rich, savory taste that is hard to resist.
Fresh Ingredients
Using fresh bell peppers is key. They are sweet and juicy, adding a nice crunch to our dish. The vibrant colors also make our meal look appealing.
Hearty Tomato Sauce
Cooking the stuffed peppers in a tomato sauce enhances the flavors. The sauce soaks into the peppers, making each bite even tastier.
Tradition
This dish is a family favorite in Serbia. We love making it for gatherings, as it brings everyone together. The shared experience of cooking and enjoying this meal strengthens our bonds.
Versatility
We can customize the recipe to our taste. Some of us like to add different spices, while others might prefer to use pickled peppers for a tangy twist.
This recipe not only fills our stomachs but also our hearts. It reflects our culture and the joy of sharing food with loved ones.
Cooking Equipment Needed
To make delicious Serbian Punjene Paprike, we need some basic cooking tools. Here’s a list of what we should gather:
- Oven: We will bake the stuffed peppers, so a reliable oven is essential.
- Baking Dish: A deep baking dish or casserole is perfect to hold the peppers and sauce.
- Knife and Cutting Board: We need these to cut the tops off the bell peppers and chop our ingredients.
- Mixing Bowl: A large bowl is needed for mixing the meat, rice, and spices together.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: These help us get the right amounts of ingredients.
- Spoon: A strong spoon will help us stuff the peppers easily.
- Aluminum Foil: This can be useful to cover the baking dish while the peppers cook.
Here’s a quick summary in a table format:
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Oven | Bake the stuffed peppers |
| Baking Dish | Hold peppers and sauce |
| Knife and Cutting Board | Chop ingredients |
| Mixing Bowl | Mix stuffing ingredients |
| Measuring Cups/Spoons | Ensure accurate ingredient amounts |
| Spoon | Stuff the peppers |
| Aluminum Foil | Cover the dish while baking |
With these tools in hand, we’re all set to create our tasty stuffed peppers!
Cooking Instructions
First, we preheat the oven to 375°F.
Next, we prepare the bell peppers. We cut the tops off and remove the seeds and membranes. This step allows us to fill them easily.
In a large bowl, we combine the following ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
We mix everything well until combined.
Now it’s time to fill the peppers. Using a spoon, we gently pack the mixture into each pepper. We want them to be full but not overflowing.
After filling the peppers, we place them in a baking dish. We can pour a little tomato sauce over the top if we like.
Next, we cover the dish with foil. This keeps the peppers moist during cooking.
We bake them in the oven for 55 minutes. Halfway through, we can remove the foil to let the tops get a little brown.
When they’re done, we let them cool for a few minutes. Then, they’re ready to serve! Enjoy our delicious stuffed peppers!
Cooking Tips
When making Serbian Punjene Paprike, we can all use a few handy tips to make our dish taste its best.
First, choose the right peppers. Bell peppers work great because they are easy to fill and hold their shape during cooking.
Next, for our filling, we can mix ground meats. Using both pork and beef adds flavor and richness.
Seasoning is key. It’s important to taste the filling as we cook. We can then adjust the salt and spices to suit our preference.
As we prepare our peppers, let’s remove the tops and seeds carefully. This gives us more space for the stuffing and helps the peppers cook evenly.
When we stuff the peppers, we can use a spoon to ensure each one is filled the same. This helps with even cooking.
For cooking, we can preheat the oven to 375°F.
Then, placing the stuffed peppers in a baking dish with some sauce adds moisture. It also boosts the flavor while cooking.
Covered first, and then uncovered in the last 15 minutes, our peppers will develop a nice texture.
Lastly, we can serve them with sour cream or a fresh salad on the side to complete our meal.
Ingredients For the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Peppers
Bell Peppers
Stuffing
Cooking Oil
Onion
Garlic
Rice
Beef
Egg
Sweet Paprika,
Salt
Black Pepper
Sauce
Cooking Oil
Flour
Tomato Paste
Passata
Bay Leaves
Vegeta
Servings
Crusty bread
Cooking Instructions For the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Prepare the Peppers
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Cut off the tops, remove seeds, and set aside.
Make the Filling
Heat oil in a saucepan, fry onions for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer to a large bowl, mix with remaining filling ingredients, and stuff the peppers. Roll any extra filling into meatballs and place everything in a deep baking tray.
Prepare the Sauce
In the same pan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking for 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for another minute. Gradually mix in passata, then add water, bay leaves, stock powder, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Bake and Serve
Pour the sauce over the stuffed peppers and meatballs, cover with foil, and bake for 1–1 ½ hours. Serve with crusty bread, sour cream, and parsley.
FAQ For the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Question: What ingredients are needed for the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe?
A: The Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe requires bell peppers, ground beef, rice, onions, garlic, tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Some variations of the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe also include pork or additional spices for enhanced flavor.
Question: How do you prepare the filling for the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe?
A: To prepare the filling for the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe, mix ground meat with cooked rice, diced onions, minced garlic, and seasonings. The filling in the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe is then packed into hollowed-out bell peppers before cooking.
Question: How long does it take to cook the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe?
A: The Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to cook. Simmering the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe in a tomato-based sauce allows the flavors to blend and the peppers to soften.
Question: What is the best way to serve the Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe?
A: The Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers recipe is best served with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Great Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
Peppers
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Onion brown finely chopped
- 1 clove Garlic finely chopped
- ½ cup Rice white parboiled (see Note)
- 1 1/2 lb Beef minced
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- Sauce
- 3 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 3 tbsp Flour plain
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 24 oz Passata
- 2 Bay Leaves
- Vegeta stock powder salt, black pepper and sugar, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Peppers
- Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Cut off the tops, remove seeds, and set aside.
Make the Filling
- Heat oil in a saucepan, fry onions for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer to a large bowl, mix with remaining filling ingredients, and stuff the peppers. Roll any extra filling into meatballs and place everything in a deep baking tray.
Prepare the Sauce
- In the same pan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking for 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for another minute. Gradually mix in passata, then add water, bay leaves, stock powder, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Bake and Serve
- Pour the sauce over the stuffed peppers and meatballs, cover with foil, and bake for 1–1 ½ hours. Serve with crusty bread, sour cream, and parsley.
Nutrition
1 comment
Serbian Punjene Paprike Stuffed Peppers Recipe** – The bell peppers turned out perfectly tender, holding the juicy meat and rice filling together. The tomato sauce thickened nicely, coating everything in a rich glaze. Served with sour cream, it was a great combination of textures. Guests loved how well-seasoned the filling was.