My Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash with Spaetzle is a vegetarian twist on Chicken Paprikash, a classic Hungarian dish. I cook hearty portobello mushrooms in an irresistibly creamy paprika sauce and serve it on top of homemade dumplings. It's a hearty vegetarian meal that the whole family will love!
Since winter is officially over, pretty soon I will switch culinary gears and celebrate the bounty of fresh spring vegetables at the market. But since there’s still a slight chill in the air, I decided that I was in the mood for one last hearty dish before bidding farewell to the cold weather.
Many of my friends and family often ask me for vegetarian recipes that are healthy and filling. This vegetarian paprikash definitely fits the bill. You won’t miss the meat in this comforting, stick-to-your-ribs meal.
Vegetarian mushroom paprikash
My Mushroom Paprikash is a vegetarian twist on Chicken Paprikash. Chicken Paprikash is a classic Hungarian dish made with chicken cooked in a creamy sauce flavored with Hungarian paprika. For my Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash, I decided to use Portobello mushrooms. As far as vegetables go, they are very meaty and filling.
Mushroom nutrition
Portobellos as just grown up cremini mushrooms and are low in calories with a good amount of fiber and protein. They're packed with several hard-to-get nutrients like selenium, copper and potassium.
In addition, like other mushrooms, they are rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals. Many of these plant-based compounds seem to play a role in protecting against certain types of cancer.
How to make it
I flavor my Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash sauce with authentic sweet Hungarian paprika that my parents brought back for me from a trip to Hungary. If you don’t have Hungarian paprika, any type of sweet paprika will do.
I also like to add a little spice to my dish with the addition of some cayenne pepper. If you have hot Hungarian paprika, you can use that instead.
I cook the mushrooms in a creamy tomato-based sauce made with both fresh tomatoes and tomato paste. Red wine adds depth of flavor and reduced-fat sour cream adds richness.
A bit of fresh, chopped parsley stirred in at the end adds just the right amount of brightness.
Easy homemade spaetzle
I like to serve my Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash with homemade dumplings called spaetzle in Germany or nokedli in Hungary.
These adorable dumplings are made by passing a homemade batter through a special spaetzle maker into simmering water. If you don’t have a spaetzle maker, you can use a colander or anything with large holes in it. I use the pasta insert from one of my large pots.
The dumplings are boiled for just a few minutes and then they’re done. If you like, you can sauté them in butter for extra flavor and a crispy texture. If you're pressed for time, you can serve this dish with egg noodles instead.
More vegetarian recipes
- Baingan Bharta (Oven Roasted Eggplant)
- Slow Cooker Jackfruit Tacos
- Red Pesto Pasta with Eggplant
- Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
- Black Bean & Quinoa Veggie Burgers
- Curried Coconut Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potato Bowls
Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave a review below. I love hearing from you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recipe
Vegetarian Mushroom Paprikash with Spaetzle
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 large Portobello mushroom caps, sliced ½-inch thick
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
- ⅛- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons flour
- ¼ cup red wine
- 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ⅔ cup vegetable or chicken stock
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped parsley, divided use
Spaetzle:
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons reduced fat milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup flour (I use a mixture of white whole wheat and all purpose flour)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- To make the paprikash, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Sauté until tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute until fragrant. Turn the heat up to medium high and add the mushroom slices. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes until they start to soften, stirring frequently.
- Add the paprika, cayenne and flour and stir to combine. Add the wine to the skillet and cook until it is reduced by half. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and stock and simmer 6-8 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked and sauce is thickened. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the sour cream and 3 tablespoons parsley. Cook another minute until heated through but do not let the sauce come to a boil. Serve the paprikash on a bed of spaetzle and garnish with the remaining tablespoon of parsley.
- To make the spaetzle, mix the eggs and milk together in a large bowl. Add the salt, nutmeg and flour and stir together to form a thick, smooth batter. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Hold a large-holed colander or slotted spoon over the water and pour some of the spaetzle batter into the colander. Push the batter through the holes with a spatula.
- Let the spaetzle cook 3-4 minutes then remove them from the water with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Toss the cooked spaetzle with parsley, if desired.
Storme says
Amazing. We love this recipe! So much flavor with nothing overpowering.
Dr. Sonali Ruder says
I'm so happy you enjoyed the dish! Thanks so much for leaving a review! I hope you get to try out other recipes on my site 🙂
raju says
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Lyra says
This sauce was delicious! I found the mushrooms to be overwhelming in size, so next time I will chop them finely. Also, I found the fresh tomato to be too raw tasting so I will try canned. I only had regular paprika and next time I plan to find the sweet Hungarian as I'm sure it makes the difference. Thank you for this terrific vegetarian dish that my 15 year old loves!
Megan says
I made this this week for my family - really yummy! I had never made spaetzle a try before, but it was the perfect accompaniment to this dish! I had a hard time getting it through the holes in the colander, ,so it didn't look as pretty, but that's okay. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Hindy Garfinkel says
This looks amazing! I must try this soon!
ur says
I am glad to see a tasty, vegetarian dish.
Making the spaetzle is going to be a new adventure but loks so yummy and worth the effort.
CharlesR says
I haven't heard the term paprikash in years. It made me smile.
As does this dish and the spaetzle.
Will be making this as soon as the weather gets a bit colder!
You can substitute with egg noodles but the spaetzle is so much better.
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
sonaliruder says
Thanks for your comment, Charlie! I've also had this dish with egg noodles but I agree that the homemade spaetzle is so much better. I hope you enjoy the dish!
Julia says
So this is basically like a pasta dish? Never had this before.
sonaliruder says
Yes, it's similar to a pasta, more like a dumpling. It's common in countries like Germany and Hungary. Enjoy!
R. Connie Wawruck-Hemmett says
sounds yummy.... have never made spaetzle, even though I'm a pastaholic. Just had a thought... how about using a potato ricer for "pressing" the batter?
sonaliruder says
Great idea! I love my ricer for making mashed potatoes- I never thought to use it for spaetzle. I will definitely try it next time!
Aggie says
I absolutely love this vegetarian twist!!
sonaliruder says
Thanks, Aggie!
sonaliruder says
I just linked up this recipe at http://www.katherinemartinelli.com/blog/2012/portobello-mushroom-stacks
sonaliruder says
Thanks Ann! You should definitely give the spaetzle a try, it's actually a lot of fun to make 🙂
sonaliruder says
I just posted this recipe on Amee's Savory Dish for her "Fit and Fabulous Fridays" (http://www.ameessavorydish.com). There are so many great dishes there to check out!
Katherine Martinelli says
I just love this! I've wanted to make spaetzle forever. Portobello mushroom is a great idea for a vegetarian paprikash. Bookmarked!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Katherine! I hope you make spaetzle soon, I would love to hear how it goes!
Angela says
That looks fabulous! I have never tried to make spaetzle, surprisingly. Will have to give it a go.
sonaliruder says
Thanks Angela! I've used egg noodles with this dish but the homemade spaetzle is definitely worth the extra effort!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
This sounds so good! Sounds similar to a strognaoff, which my mom loves, but she usually picks around a lot of the beef. So making it with mushrooms would be perfect for her.
sonaliruder says
Yes, it is definitely similar to stroganoff with the sour cream-based sauce. I hope your mom likes it!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I have never made spaetzle before but now I am totally inspired! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful dish!
sonaliruder says
Thanks- it's actually easy and fun to make!