These Romanian Rustic Potatoes with Paprika and Onion are one of those dishes that instantly feel like home. Simple ingredients, no fuss, but so much flavor. This is the kind of food that was always on the table when time was short and everyone was hungry. It is warm, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
I always boil the potatoes in their skins first. It’s how I learned to make them, and it really makes a difference. The potatoes stay firm, flavorful, and never watery. Once sliced, they soak up that beautiful oniony, paprika-infused oil without falling apart. The onions are cooked slowly until soft and golden, the red pepper adds sweetness, and the paprika is added carefully at the right moment, just enough to bloom and give that unmistakable color and aroma.
It’s always a little surprising how such simple pantry ingredients come together into something that feels so satisfying. These potatoes don’t need much to shine. A sprinkle of fresh parsley, maybe a fried egg, some roasted sausages or some pickles on the side, and you’re done.
Nothing complicated here, just good ingredients cooked the right way. It’s relaxed, familiar cooking, the kind that fits any day of the week.
How to make Romanian rustic potatoes
Begin with boiling the potatoes in their skins. Scrub them well without peeling, then place them in a pot and cover with cold, well-salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20–25 minutes, until just tender when pierced, but not mushy. Drain and let them cool slightly.
While still warm, peel off the skins—they should slip off easily—then cut the potatoes into thick slices or large, rustic chunks.
Heat a generous amount of oil in a wide pan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat until soft, glossy, and lightly golden. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until softened.
Lower the heat, add the paprika, and stir quickly for a few seconds so it blooms without burning. Add the sliced potatoes and salt and gently fold everything together, coating them in the paprika-infused oil. Cook for 5–8 minutes, turning carefully, until some edges become lightly crisp.
Taste and adjust the salt, remove from the heat, and finish with a generous sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Hope you will try this amazing potato recipe. Tag me on Instagram if you do and enjoy as much as we did.
Other potato recipes you may like to try
These Patatas Bravas made at home with crispy potatoes and a bold, flavorful sauce, are a simple Spanish classic perfect for sharing.
This German Potato Salad with tender potatoes, warm bacon dressing, and tangy flavor, a comforting side dish made the traditional way.
If you like potatoes, you must try these Roasted Potatoes with crispy edges and fluffy centers, easy, reliable, and perfect for any meal.
For more potato dishes check our full collection for Potato Recipes.
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Romanian Rustic Potatoes with Paprika and Onion
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds (1.5-2 kg) red potatoes
- 2 large onions , finely chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper , diced
- 1 tbsp (10g) paprika
- salt to taste
- 3-5 tbsp (45-60g) sunflower oil
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in their skins. Scrub the potatoes well (don’t peel). Place them in a pot, cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until just tender when pierced, not mushy (20–25 minutes, depending on size).
- Drain and let them cool slightly.
- While still warm, peel the skins (they should slip off easily). Cut the potatoes into thick slices or large chunks, rustic, not perfect.
- Heat a generous amount of oil in a wide pan.
- Add the onions. Cook over medium heat until soft, glossy, and lightly golden.
- Add the red bell pepper to the onions. Cook 2–3 minutes, just until softened.
- Lower the heat. Add the paprika and stir quickly for a few seconds only so it blooms without burning.
- Add the sliced potatoes to the pan. Gently fold everything together so they’re coated in the paprika oil. Season with salt.
- Let them cook 5–8 minutes, turning carefully, until some edges lightly crisp.
- Taste and adjust salt. Remove from heat and sprinkle generously with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
