Description
Old fashioned goulash is a hearty, one-pot comfort food made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce. It’s simple, nostalgic, and perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp paprika, shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then stir in uncooked macaroni.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Uncover and simmer a few more minutes to thicken, if needed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Top with shredded cheese if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or pork as a substitute for beef.
- Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn for extra veggies.
- Stir in red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
- Mix in shredded cheddar at the end for a cheesy goulash.
- Freeze in portions for easy future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
