Stuffed Peppers with Cream Sauce and Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is a favorite for its simplicity and heartiness. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or just because you’re craving something cozy, it’s bound to impress. And as for the mashed potatoes? Well, make them how you like—here’s how I do it! 😂

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients for the Stuffed Peppers:

• 8–10 medium-sized peppers (washed and cleaned of seeds)
• 500 g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
• 1 cup (200 ml) of washed rice
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup tomato purée
• 1 tablespoon ajvar (optional but adds great flavor 🙈)
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs or 1 slice of stale white bread, soaked in warm water and squeezed dry
• 3 tablespoons oil
• Salt, pepper, vegeta (optional), and paprika to taste

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup tomato purée
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and paprika to taste

For the Cream Sauce Finish:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 cups cooking cream

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Instructions:

Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, tomato paste, tomato purée, ajvar (if using), breadcrumbs (or soaked bread), oil, and seasonings. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.

Stuff the Peppers: Carefully fill each cleaned pepper with the meat mixture, leaving a tiny bit of space at the top to allow the rice to expand as it cooks.

Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix water, tomato purée, oil, salt, and paprika. Pour this mixture over the stuffed peppers in a deep baking dish or pot. The liquid should come up to about three-quarters of the height of the peppers.

Bake: Cover the dish (use a lid or foil) and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 45 minutes.

Make the Cream Sauce:

1. Melt butter in a small pan and stir in the flour. Cook briefly until golden, then add paprika and mix. Slowly whisk in the cooking cream until smooth.
2. Pour the sauce over the baked peppers and return them to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes to blend the flavors.

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Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients for the Mashed Potatoes:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup milk
• 2–3 tablespoons butter
• Salt, pepper, vegeta (optional), and a pinch of nutmeg

Instructions:

Cook the Potatoes:

Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender.

Prepare the Milk Mixture:

In a small saucepan, warm the milk with butter, salt, pepper, vegeta, and nutmeg. Heat gently until the butter melts and the spices infuse the milk.

Mash the Potatoes:

Drain the potatoes and mash them until smooth, either with a potato masher or a ricer for extra fluffiness.
Gradually stir in the warm milk mixture until the potatoes reach your desired creaminess.

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Serving Suggestions:

Plate the stuffed peppers with a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes and drizzle the creamy tomato sauce over everything. Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce!

My Note:
This is how I make it, but you do you! 😂 The beauty of recipes like this is how adaptable they are. Whether you skip the cream sauce or swap out the mashed potatoes for rice, it’ll still taste amazing. Enjoy!