🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍝 Main Dishes > 🇦🇱 Albania Main Dishes > 🍝 Tavë Kosi , Speca të Mbushura (Stuffed Peppers) , Fërgesë Tiranë (Creamy Baked Peppers with Cheese)

🍝 Famous Albanian Main Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss

😊 Introduction

Hey food lovers!
If you’ve ever been intrigued by Mediterranean flavours but wanted to explore something off the beaten path, Albania’s cuisine will surprise you in the best way.
Tucked between Greece, Italy, and the Balkans, Albanian food is rustic, soulful, and full of stories. It’s where yoghurt meets lamb, herbs meet olive oil, and simple ingredients become comfort food that feels like home.

In this article, we’ll dive into three iconic Albanian main dishes that you shouldn’t miss if you want to taste real Albania:

1.Tavë Kosi – the national casserole of lamb, rice and yoghurt.

2.Speca të Mbushura (Stuffed Peppers) – colourful stuffed peppers filled with herbed rice and tomato.

3.Fërgesë Tiranë (Creamy Baked Peppers with Cheese) – a creamy baked pepper and cheese dish that’s as comforting as it sounds.

Each recipe comes with its own story, step-by-step guide, tips, FAQs, and a quick summary so you can recreate them right in your kitchen.

Ready to cook like you’re in Tirana? Let’s go!

🥘 Recipe 1: Tavë Kosi

📖 About this Recipe

We’re starting with a true national treasure—Tavë Kosi. It’s a baked casserole of lamb (or chicken), rice, and a yoghurt-egg custard that sets into a creamy, slightly tangy layer.
It represents everything Albanian cooking stands for: simple ingredients, slow cooking, and comfort on a plate.
Imagine Greek moussaka meets Turkish kebab vibes—but with a distinctly Albanian soul.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

- Lamb (or chicken) pieces – bone-in adds flavour.

- Rice – just enough to line the baking dish.

- Yoghurt – plain and full-fat for richness.

- Eggs – to set the custard.

- Butter + flour – for a light roux base.

- Garlic, oregano, salt, pepper – for seasoning.

- Olive oil – for browning.

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 180–190 °C (350–375 °F).

2.Brown the lamb in olive oil with garlic and oregano until golden.

3.Par-cook the rice (just short of done).

4.Make a roux with butter and flour; whisk in yoghurt and eggs until smooth.

5.Layer rice in a baking dish, top with meat, pour over the yoghurt mixture.

6.Bake until golden and set (about 40 min).

7.Rest 10 min before serving.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

- Don’t fully cook rice before baking—it will turn mushy.

- Always use full-fat yoghurt to prevent curdling.

- Brown the meat well—this adds depth.

- Let it rest before cutting, so it sets nicely.

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I use chicken instead of lamb?

A: Totally—just shorten baking time a bit.

Q: Is it too heavy?

A: Pair it with a fresh salad or steamed veggies to balance it out.

✅ Summary

Tavë Kosi is creamy, savory and unmistakably Albanian. If you try one dish from this list, make it this one.

🌶️ Recipe 2: Speca të Mbushura (Stuffed Peppers)

📖 About this Recipe

Speca të Mbushura means “stuffed peppers” and is one of the most vibrant dishes in Albanian homes.
Bell peppers are stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat and baked until tender.
It’s colourful, aromatic and the perfect example of how Albanians turn humble ingredients into something beautiful.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

- Bell peppers – red, green or yellow.

- Rice – for the filling.

- Onion + garlic – finely chopped.

- Tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes.

- Minced meat (optional).

- Herbs – parsley, mint or oregano.

- Olive oil, salt and pepper.

- Optional – crumbled feta for creaminess.

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 190 °C (375 °F).

2.Halve and clean peppers.

3.Cook rice until just tender.

4.Sauté onion and garlic; add meat (if using), then tomatoes and herbs.

5.Combine mixture with rice and season.

6.Fill peppers, place in baking dish, drizzle olive oil.

7.Bake 25–35 minutes until tender and slightly charred.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

- Don’t overfill peppers—they expand while baking.

- Use fresh herbs for maximum flavour.

- Add a touch of cheese if you like a richer filling.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is this vegetarian-friendly?

A: Absolutely—just skip the meat.

Q: Best side dish?

A: A simple yogurt dip or fresh green salad.

✅ Summary

Speca të Mbushura is light, colourful and full of herbal notes. It’s comfort food with a sunny Mediterranean twist.

🍲 Recipe 3: Fërgesë Tiranë (Creamy Baked Peppers with Cheese)

📖 About this Recipe

Now let’s move to something deeply comforting and utterly Albanian—Fërgesë Tiranë, named after the capital city Tirana.
It’s a rich, creamy blend of peppers, tomatoes, onion, and cheese—sometimes enhanced with bits of meat or liver, sometimes kept fully vegetarian.
The result is a warm, savory, almost cheesy-stew served with bread for dipping.
Think of it as the Albanian answer to comfort food on a cold day.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

- Red or green bell peppers – chopped or sliced.

- Tomatoes or tomato sauce – fresh is best.

- Onions – finely chopped.

- Garlic – minced.

- Olive oil – for sautéing.

- White cheese (feta or similar soft cheese).

- Butter (optional) – for extra richness.

- Optional meat (lamb or chicken bits) – for non-vegetarian versions.

- Salt & pepper – to taste.

- Fresh parsley – for garnish.

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Heat olive oil in a pan; sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.

2.Add chopped peppers and cook until they begin to soften.

3.Stir in tomatoes or tomato sauce; let simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

4.(Optional) If using meat, add it now and cook until done.

5.Fold in crumbled feta or soft white cheese. Mix gently so it melts into a creamy sauce.

6.Transfer to a baking dish (if you prefer a baked version) and bake at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 15–20 minutes until bubbling and golden at edges.

7.Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with crusty bread.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

- Don’t rush the pepper cooking step—it’s key to get them sweet and soft.

- Avoid using too much liquid; the goal is a thick, creamy texture rather than soupy.

- Full-fat feta or white cheese melts best and gives the right texture.

- If you want smokier flavour, roast the peppers briefly before adding to the pan.

- Serve immediately while hot—the cheese sets as it cools.

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I make it vegetarian?

A: Yes! Skip the meat and use extra vegetables like eggplant or zucchini.

Q: What kind of cheese works best?

A: Feta is traditional, but ricotta or a blend with mozzarella works beautifully too.

Q: How should I serve it?

A: With warm bread, pita, or a side of rice—it’s great as a main or side dish.

✅ Summary

Fërgesë Tiranë is a hearty, cheesy, and vibrant Albanian classic. The pepper-and-tomato base melts beautifully with feta, creating a creamy comfort dish you’ll want again and again.
It’s the kind of recipe that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

🔚 Final Thoughts

So, there you have it—three Albanian main dishes that capture the heart and soul of this beautiful Mediterranean-Balkan kitchen.

- Tavë Kosi gives you that creamy comfort of yoghurt and lamb.

- Speca të Mbushura brightens your table with colour and herbal aroma.

- Fërgesë Tiranë wraps it up with a creamy, cheesy finish that’s pure home-style bliss.

Cooking Albanian food isn’t about precision—it’s about warmth and sharing.

Start with one recipe, enjoy the process, and feel free to adapt to your taste and ingredients.

And when you do—share it with friends, snap a photo, and celebrate your own little piece of Albania wherever you are.
Because in the end, food isn’t just about flavour—it’s about connection.

Happy cooking, and welcome to the flavourful world of Albanian cuisine! 🇦🇱🍽️

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