Description
Nostalgic American Goulash is a cozy one-pot comfort food classic, featuring savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s perfect for weeknights, family meals, or a hearty weekend dinner.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional garnish: extra cheese, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add uncooked macaroni noodles to the pot. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Remove bay leaves. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with extra cheese or fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Vegetarian Option: Use lentils or mushrooms in place of ground beef.
Pasta Swap: Try penne, fusilli, or gluten-free pasta.
Extra Vegetables: Add spinach, peas, or grated carrots for more nutrition.
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage instead of ground beef.
Extra Creaminess: Stir in cream cheese or ricotta near the end for richness.
Smoky Flavor: Substitute smoked paprika for regular paprika.
Fresh Herbs: Use fresh basil or oregano instead of dried Italian seasoning.
Balance Acidity: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
