Cauliflower Paprikash

Cauliflower Paprikash

A vegetarian twist on a Hungarian classic that'll make you forget about chicken.

Prep: 25 mins (includes cauliflower contemplation) Cook: 35 mins Serves: 6 (or 4 paprika enthusiasts)

Fun Fact: Traditional Paprikash has been around since Hungarian cattle herders discovered paprika in the 16th century. They probably didn't expect their dish to go vegetarian, but here we are!

Preparing the cauliflower
Making the paprika sauce
Final assembly

Ingredients

  • • 2 heads cauliflower (the pale vegetable trying to be interesting)
  • • 3 tbsp Hungarian paprika (not the sad dusty stuff from 1995)
  • • 1 onion (prepare the tissues)
  • • 2 cups sour cream (full fat, we're committed here)
  • • 4 tbsp butter (yes, more butter)
  • • 1 lb egg noodles (the curly ones)
  • • 4 cloves garlic (minimum requirement)
  • • 2 tbsp flour (for thickening, like your plot lines)
  • • Parsley (for garnish and feeling fancy)

Instructions

1

Cut cauliflower into florets that look like tiny trees.

2

Sauté onions in butter until they're translucent and your eyes have stopped watering.

3

Add paprika. Watch the oil turn a gorgeous red color.

4

Add cauliflower, cook until tender but not mushy (there's a fine line).

5

Make your sauce. Add sour cream at the end and try not to eat it straight from the pan.

6

Cook noodles until they're as bouncy as your mood.

Final Cauliflower Paprikash

Serve With

  • 🥛 Extra sour cream (because why not)
  • 🌶️ More paprika for sprinkling (aesthetics matter)
  • 🌿 Fresh parsley (pretend it's healthy now)
  • 🗣️ Your best Hungarian pronunciation attempt

Storage Tips

  • ❄️ Keeps 3-4 days in fridge
  • 💧 Sauce might need thinning when reheating
  • 🍝 Noodles stored separately
  • ✨ Actually tastes better next day

Pro Tips

  • ✨ Use only Hungarian paprika (this is not negotiable)
  • ✨ Don't let the sauce boil after adding sour cream
  • ✨ Cut cauliflower pieces uniform for even cooking
  • ✨ If sauce breaks, pretend you meant to do that

Make-Ahead Tips

  • ⏰ Cauliflower can be cut day before
  • 🥫 Sauce base can be made ahead
  • 🥛 Add sour cream just before serving
  • 🍝 Noodles must be fresh