A cozy Hungarian classic — layers of tender cauliflower, rice, paprika-spiced meat, and creamy sour cream, all baked until golden 🤍
📝 Ingredients
1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
1 cup cooked rice
400 g (14 oz) ground pork (or beef)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons oil or lard
2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
1½ cups sour cream
1 cup grated cheese (optional, modern addition)
Butter for greasing the dish
👩🍳 Instructions
Prepare cauliflower Boil florets in salted water 5–7 minutes until just tender. Drain well.
Make the meat layer Heat oil in a pan. Sauté onion until soft. Remove from heat, stir in paprika. Add ground meat, salt, pepper, and caraway. Cook until meat is browned.
Assemble layers Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Butter a baking dish. Layer in this order:
Cauliflower
Rice
Meat
Sour cream Repeat layers, finishing with sour cream.
Bake Bake uncovered 35–40 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden. (Add cheese on top for last 10 minutes if using.)
Rest & serve Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Traditional Serving
With fresh bread
Pickled cucumbers or peppers on the side
Often eaten the next day — even better!
💡 Tips & Variations
Make it meatless with mushrooms
Use smoked sausage for deeper flavor
Skip cheese for a fully traditional version
Low-carb: replace rice with extra cauliflower
This dish is pure Hungarian comfort food — simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying 🇭🇺
