Description
Hearty American goulash combines ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce in a comforting Midwestern classic. Savory flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal families will eagerly devour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers, cooking until softened. Introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly to release its aromatic qualities.
- Brown Protein: Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the meat develops a golden-brown crust. Drain excess fat, then season with salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian herbs, and tomato paste. Stir to incorporate flavors thoroughly.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix ingredients completely, creating a rich, flavorful base. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Submerge elbow macaroni into the simmering sauce. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue until pasta reaches perfect tenderness and absorbs the sauce’s robust flavors.
- Finish and Rest: Remove from heat. Optional: Stir in sharp cheddar cheese for added creaminess. Let the goulash rest momentarily, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and preventing greasy texture.
- Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor pasta cooking carefully, adding extra broth if needed to prevent dryness and ensure perfectly tender macaroni without becoming mushy.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast paprika and herbs briefly before adding liquid to unlock deeper, more complex taste profiles and intensify aromatic qualities.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free pasta, or swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast for vegetarian and gluten-sensitive variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg