Description
Classic American goulash blends hearty ground beef, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni into a comforting one-pot meal. Midwestern home cooks love this simple, satisfying dish that brings families together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 green bell pepper
Pantry Ingredients:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, introducing diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef into the vegetable mixture, breaking meat into fine crumbles while cooking until completely browned and no pink remains. Carefully drain accumulated fat.
- Pour tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, ground black pepper, and bay leaf into the pot. Blend ingredients thoroughly.
- Escalate heat to create a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow mixture to develop flavors for 10-12 minutes, stirring periodically.
- Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the sauce, ensuring pasta is fully submerged. Cover pot and maintain low heat, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta until tender and sauce has slightly thickened, approximately 12-15 minutes. Test pasta for desired consistency.
- Extract bay leaf from the mixture and fold in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and integrated.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, serving immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the classic dish.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like smoked gouda or pepper jack for a unique flavor twist.
- Use gluten-free elbow macaroni to make the goulash suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian adaptation that maintains the hearty texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg