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Goulash

Goulash

A comforting one-pot American Goulash featuring seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce loaded with herbs and melted cheddar cheese. This affordable, family-friendly dinner comes together in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 1 whole green bell pepper diced
  • 2 pounds ground beef lean preferred
  • 3 teaspoons garlic minced
Sauce & Liquid
  • 2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 2 15-ounce cans petite diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 3 whole bay leaves
Pasta & Cheese
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and softened.
  2. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until completely browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
  5. Add seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  6. Once boiling, add the uncooked elbow macaroni. Stir to ensure all pasta is submerged in the liquid.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened. Add more broth if mixture becomes too thick.
  8. Remove and discard bay leaves. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and evenly distributed.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

Pasta Tips

Stir frequently during the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent sticking as the pasta absorbs liquid. The final consistency should be thick and saucy, not soupy.

Seasoning

Don't skip the Worcestershire sauce as it adds crucial depth of flavor. Adjust seasoned salt to taste at the end since brands vary in saltiness.

Make Ahead

This reheats beautifully. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating as the pasta continues to absorb liquid during storage.

Scaling

Recipe easily doubles for a crowd. Use an 8-quart pot when doubling and increase simmering time slightly to reduce the extra liquid.