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Romanian Potato Stew

Name: Romanian Potato Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes (medium-starch varieties: Desiree, Monalisa, or yellow waxy); 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 4–5 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed; 3 tbsp sunflower oil or lard; 3 tbsp tomato paste or 200 ml passata (sieved tomatoes); 400–500 ml warm water or vegetable stock; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; salt and black pepper to taste; 250 g homemade sausages sliced into rounds, or chicken breast cut into cubes; a handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped, for serving; 1 red or kapia pepper, finely diced (optional)

Romanian potato stew is one of the most beloved and comforting traditional dishes — a simple and flavourful braise of potatoes in tomato sauce or passata, with onion, garlic, paprika, and thyme. Prepared either as a main course (fasting-friendly or with sausages/meat) or as a creamy side alongside a roast, potato stew proves that humble ingredients, cooked with patience, can deliver perfect flavour.

🍽️

Servings

⏱️

Prep

15 min

🔥

Cook

35 min

⏰

Total

50 min

🥘Ingredients

servings

Main ingredients

Optional (for the meat version)

📝Preparation steps 🗓️Add to Meal Planner🎨Serving & Presentation

✅Dietary Compatibility

🌾Gluten-free🥛Dairy-free💪High-protein

🍽️

Yield

4 servings

📦Storage

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in a covered container in the fridge; reheat over low heat with a little water

🧊

Freezer

Can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture of the potatoes may change slightly upon thawing

🥗Nutrition Facts

Values per serving (approx. 300 g, fasting version without sausages)

🔥

Calories

265 kcal

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Protein

5 g

🧈

Fat

9 g

🍞

Carbohydrates

42 g

🌾

Fiber

4 g

🍷Pairs Well With

🥂Homemade bread or warm polenta

🥂Assorted pickles (green tomatoes, cucumbers)

🥂Yogurt or sour cream for serving

🥂Grilled or fried homemade sausages

🥂Roasted pepper salad

💡Variations

Potato stew with sausages: Brown 250 g sliced sausages and add them together with the potatoes — the result is a hearty and aromatic dish, perfect for cold days.

Creamy potato stew: At the end, remove from heat and stir in 2–3 tbsp of sour cream — you get a creamier and richer version.

Potato stew with dill: Replace the parsley with generously chopped fresh dill at the end — the dill aroma pairs exceptionally well with potatoes and tomato sauce.