Description
Romanian Stuffed Peppers, known as ardei umpluți, are a traditional and hearty dish featuring bell peppers filled with a flavorful mixture of ground pork, rice, and aromatic herbs, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting main course, these peppers offer a delightful balance of textures and savory flavors, ideal served warm with a dollop of sour cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 6 medium bell peppers (red or yellow), tops cut off and seeds removed
Filling
- 1 pound ground pork (or beef or a mix)
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Liquid and Garnish
- 3 cups tomato juice or passata
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 bay leaves
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine ground pork, uncooked rice, finely chopped onion, egg, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Stuff the peppers: Gently fill each hollowed bell pepper with the meat mixture, pressing down lightly to ensure they are adequately packed but without overfilling to avoid bursting during cooking.
- Arrange in pot: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a large pot or Dutch oven, making sure they fit snugly side by side for even cooking.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour the tomato juice over the peppers, then add enough water to almost cover them. Add the bay leaves and drizzle the vegetable oil on top for richness.
- Cook the peppers: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the peppers are tender and the rice is fully cooked. Alternately, you can bake the pot in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for the same amount of time, covered.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaves and serve the stuffed peppers warm, optionally topped with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess. Enjoy with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute pork with beef or use a 50/50 blend of both meats for varying flavors.
- For a deeper flavor, sauté the onion before mixing it into the filling.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Serve alongside crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes for a wholesome meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop or Baking
- Cuisine: Romanian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
