🇭🇺 Hungarian Layered Potatoes Casserole – Rakott Krumpli

Rakott Krumpli is a classic Hungarian layered potato casserole made with potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, smoked sausage, and creamy sour cream. Simple, hearty, and wonderfully comforting, this traditional dish is perfect for a family dinner.

🍽️ Recipe at a Glance

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Servings: 6
  • Cuisine: Hungarian
  • Course: Main Course

🛒 Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg potatoes
  • 6 large eggs
  • 300 g Hungarian smoked sausage, sliced
  • 400 g sour cream (tejföl)
  • 1 medium onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing
  • 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 100 g grated cheese, optional
  • Fresh parsley, optional

👩‍🍳 How to Make Rakott Krumpli

1. Cook the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly and place them in a large pot.

Cover with water and add a little salt.

Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are just tender but not falling apart.

Drain and allow them to cool enough to handle.

Peel the potatoes and slice them into approximately ½ cm thick rounds.


2. Boil the Eggs

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water.

Bring to a boil, then cook for approximately 9–10 minutes.

Transfer the eggs to cold water and allow them to cool.

Peel and slice them into rounds.


3. Prepare the Sausage

Slice the smoked sausage into thin rounds.

For extra flavor, you can briefly cook the slices in a dry skillet until lightly browned.

Set aside.


🥔 4. Prepare the Sour Cream

Place the sour cream in a bowl.

Season with a little salt, black pepper, and sweet Hungarian paprika.

Mix until smooth.

If your sour cream is particularly thick, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk to make it easier to spread.


🍲 5. Assemble the Casserole

Preheat the oven to 190°C / 375°F.

Grease a baking dish with butter.

Arrange a layer of sliced potatoes across the bottom.

Add a layer of sliced eggs.

Scatter some of the sausage over the eggs.

Add a layer of sour cream.

Repeat the layers until all ingredients have been used.

Finish with a generous layer of sour cream.

Optional:

Sprinkle grated cheese over the top for a beautifully golden finish.


🔥 6. Bake

Place the casserole in the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling around the edges.

If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.


⏳ 7. Rest Before Serving

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10–15 minutes.

This allows the layers to settle and makes the casserole easier to serve.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Serve warm.


⭐ Tips for the Best Rakott Krumpli

Don’t overcook the potatoes

They should be tender but firm enough to slice without breaking apart.

Use flavorful sausage

A good-quality smoked sausage adds plenty of flavor to the casserole.

Season every layer

A little salt and pepper between the layers helps the flavors come together.

Don’t skimp on the sour cream

The creamy sour cream is one of the defining characteristics of Rakott Krumpli.

Let it rest

Giving the casserole a few minutes to rest makes serving much easier.


🔄 Easy Variations

🧀 Cheesy Rakott Krumpli

Add grated cheese to the top during the final stage of baking.

🌶️ Paprika Version

Add a little extra sweet Hungarian paprika for more color and flavor.

🥓 Bacon Version

Add a small amount of cooked bacon between the layers.

🌿 Fresh Herb Version

Finish with chopped parsley or chives.


🍽️ What to Serve With It

Rakott Krumpli is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it pairs nicely with:

  • Fresh cucumber salad
  • Pickled cucumbers
  • Tomato salad
  • Fresh green salad
  • Crusty bread

A cool cucumber salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, creamy casserole.


🧊 Storage

Allow leftovers to cool before placing them in an airtight container.

Refrigerate for 3–4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave until thoroughly heated.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rakott Krumpli?

Rakott Krumpli is a traditional Hungarian layered potato casserole made with potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, sausage, and sour cream.

Can I make Rakott Krumpli ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, refrigerate it covered, and bake it when ready.

What type of sausage should I use?

Hungarian smoked sausage works particularly well. Choose a sausage with a good smoky, savory flavor.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes. Simply omit the sausage and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, or spinach.

Can I freeze it?

The casserole can be frozen, although the sour cream may change texture slightly after thawing. For the best result, it is recommended to enjoy it fresh or refrigerated.


🖨️ Printable Recipe Card

🇭🇺 Rakott Krumpli

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 45 min
Total: 1 hr 10 min
Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg potatoes
  • 6 eggs
  • 300 g smoked sausage
  • 400 g sour cream
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tsp Hungarian paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 100 g grated cheese, optional

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes until just tender.
  2. Cool, peel, and slice.
  3. Hard-boil eggs, cool, peel, and slice.
  4. Slice the smoked sausage.
  5. Season the sour cream.
  6. Grease a baking dish.
  7. Layer potatoes, eggs, sausage, and sour cream.
  8. Repeat until ingredients are used.
  9. Finish with sour cream and optional cheese.
  10. Bake at 190°C / 375°F for 35–45 minutes.
  11. Rest for 10–15 minutes.
  12. Serve warm.

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